2026-2027: Personal Care Assistant

Manassas Park City Schools; Cougar (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Manassas Park City Schools seeks a Personal Care Assistant to provide one-to-one support for students with disabilities at Cougar Elementary School. Under the supervision of a Special Education teacher and building principal, you will help with daily living skills, health and behavior support, and personal care tasks.

This non-exempt role requires a high school diploma, completion of the ParaPro course within 30 days, and the ability to work with diverse learners.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• Experience in supporting people with disabilities or medical needs preferred.
• Ability to work with a diverse population.
• Must complete ParaPro Course within 30 days of hire.
• Must obtain a qualifying score on the ParaPathways Assessment within 30 days of hire.
• Always displays a positive role model for students.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Ability to speak clearly and write effectively.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Ability to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups.

Responsibilities

• Delivers educational interventions designed by Special Education teachers to help students meet educational, academic, life skills, behavioral, physical, social, and emotional goals.
• Assists teachers with Special Education students to enable learning with minimal disruptions to other students.
• Assists students with basic dress and grooming self-care.
• Administers medications as trained, assigned, and directed.
• Attends to the physical needs of students, including handling equipment and mobility needs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Confidentiality

Effective communication

Diversity awareness

Positive role model

Punctuality

Policy compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

ParaPro Course within 30 days

ParaPathways Assessment within 30 days

Job description

POSITION: Personal Care Assistant

Location: Cougar Elementary School

Reports To: Special Education Teacher and/or Building Principal

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Length: 7.5 hours/day | 186 days

Salary Schedule/Grade: Classified Pay Scale, Grade 5

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Summary

The Personal Care Assistant provides one-to-one support and assistance to a student with special educational needs. This position includes but is not limited to, supporting daily living skills and monitoring and supporting health and behavior. A personal care assistant may provide support to more than one student, but not at the same time. When the personal care assistant is not working with an individual student in meeting personal care needs, the personal care assistant may be reassigned. A personal care assistant is a paraprofessional who works under the direction of a certified staff member to support and assist in providing instructional, behavioral, functional, and personal care services to a child with disabilities. This person reports to the school principal.

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency required
• Experience in supporting people with disabilities or medical needs preferred
• Ability to work with a diverse population
• Must complete ParaPro Course within 30 days of hire.
• Must obtain a qualifying score on the ParaPathways Assessment within 30 days of hire.
• Always displays a positive role model for students
• Maintains confidentiality
• Ability to speak clearly and write effectively
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgment
• Ability to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups, including teachers and administrators, parents, agency representatives, other school districts, and community groups
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and flexibility to function as a positive, contributing member of an education team
• Strictly follows standing orders, policies and procedures
• Report on time for all assignments

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Delivers educational interventions designed by Special Education teachers to help students meet educational, academic, life skills, behavioral, physical, social, and emotional goals.
• Assists teachers with Special Education students to enable learning with minimal disruptions to other students.
• Assists students with basic dress and grooming self-care.
• Administers medications as trained, assigned, and directed.
• Attends to the physical needs of students. This may include handling equipment such as prone standards (muscle inactivity so student is changed manually), wheelchairs and braces, (how to refit once removed, now to use properly, and physical lifting).
• Attends to health care physical needs of students, which may include feeding, toileting, diapering, and responding to medical emergencies.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to:

• Communicate effectively through phone and in-person interactions.
• Operate office equipment including computers, copiers, calculators, etc.
• Perform physical activities such as climbing, standing, walking, lifting, reaching, and bending.

Employment Conditions

• Successful completion of a Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Negative Tuberculosis (TB) Screening.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Manassas Park City Schools is committed to providing equal employment and educational opportunities for all individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or any other legally protected category. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

This job description reflects the major responsibilities and requirements of the role but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties may be added, modified, or removed as necessary.