Special Education Teacher- Life Skills

Vancouver Public Schools • Vancouver, WA

14h • Onsite

About The Position

For the 2026-27 school year, Vancouver Public Schools (VPS) is seeking a full-time Special Education Teacher for Life Skills. This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act. VPS reviews all applications and may invite the most qualified candidates to an interview. The selection process includes confidential reference checks and a criminal background investigation. Resumes should detail education, relevant experience, and skills. All district employees are encouraged to review their personnel files for supporting documentation.

Requirements

• Valid Washington State teaching certificate appropriate for the assignment
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning
• Ability to develop and implement behavior intervention programs
• Knowledge of effective intervention strategies, such as Discrete Trial, Structured Teaching, and Picture Exchange Communication System
• Ability to coordinate a team consisting of staff assistants and/or community resources
• Demonstrates ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral form
• Possesses enthusiasm toward teaching and student learning
• Experience with employing a precise behavioral management system for students within a positive learning environment
• Uses appropriate disciplinary procedures, establishes clear parameters for student behavior, responds properly when problems occur, and helps students toward self-discipline
• Ability to assess needs of students, prescribe, and implement effective lessons to meet identified needs
• Experience with implementing Health Care Plans and providing continuous support for students with medical conditions (to include hygiene routines/tube feeding/Augmentative communication)
• Experience with employing the procedures of daily continuous measurement for maintaining adequate and current progress records
• Ability to utilize and evaluate interpretive feedback
• Experience in administering and interpreting a wide variety of diagnostic tools relevant to the students to be served
• Familiarization with state standards and testing
• Understanding of community services for 18-21 year olds
• Ability to coordinate community work experiences for students as appropriate
• Ability to work cooperatively with students and their parents who are culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse
• Advanced ability to use technology as an effective communication, planning and instructional tool
• Willingness to participate in professional development courses aligned with the school and district initiatives

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred
• Successful teaching experience with special education students, preferred

Responsibilities

• Prepares and implements lesson plans
• Integrates technology into planning, learning, and required record-keeping activities including IEPs using IEP.Online
• Delivers instruction using the prescribed curriculum and provide for individual differences
• Implements effective teaching strategies related to the individualized learning needs and developmental stage of students
• Effectively teaches students of varying abilities
• Gains the respect and confidence of students, parents, and staff through modeling appropriate demeanor, behavior, and attire
• Develops favorable relationships with students; listens to, cares for, and works collaboratively with them
• Provides guidance using Crisis Prevention Intervention Techniques for students in an escalation cycle
• Relates positively to youth and adults of varying socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds; different learning styles, and various disabilities
• Uses appropriate disciplinary procedures, establishes clear parameters for student behavior, responds properly when problems occur, and helps students toward self-discipline
• Maintains classroom discipline through use of effective classroom management skills
• Maintains appropriate student records
• Communicates student progress to parents, as directed
• Works as an effective member of the grade/content area team, staff, and community to evaluate and improve student learning
• Cooperates as a professional team member and perform faculty duties including student supervision
• Actively engage students in using technology in individual and collaborative learning activities
• Works in a flexible and cooperative manner
• Treats co-workers, supervisors, students, parents and others with dignity and respect at all times
• Serves as a positive role model for students, and practices the behaviors that are expected of our students
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance and hours of operation as set by the assigned building/location and the Comprehensive Professional Agreement to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position to achieve program requirements
• Supervision of students
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits
• retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)
• paid time off, sick, personal, religious, military and bereavement leave
• Sick Leave: 8 hours per month
• Personal Leave: 3 days per school year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level