Instructional Paraeducator, Self-Contained (multiple positions available)

Young World Physical Education

Spokane (WA)

On-site

USD 26,146 - 32,745

Part time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid leave and holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

Young World Physical Education is seeking multiple Instructional Paraeducators for the 2026-27 school year in Spokane, Washington. Responsibilities include supporting educational activities, implementing behavior support plans, and working with students in various settings. Ideal candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent and a passion for assisting students with diverse needs.

Compensation ranges from $18.98 to $23.77 per hour, with additional pay for specific student hygiene duties, and benefits including medical and retirement plans. Join us in making a difference!

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Passing score on state-approved Paraeducator Assessment.
Current first aid/CPR card preferred.

Responsibilities

Support implementation of teacher-designed instructional activities.
Work with individual and small groups of students.
Foster social and language development through play activities.

Skills

Teamwork

Discipline

Confidentiality

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

AA degree or higher

72 quarter or 48 semester credits

Job description

Instructional Paraeducator, Self-Contained (Multiple Positions Available)

Job ID: 5758259

Application Deadline: Jul 06, 2026 11:59 PM (Pacific Standard Time)

Re-Posted: Jun 22, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 18, 2026

Location: Windsor Elementary, Cheney Public School District 360 Windsor Elementary, Spokane, Washington

Job Description

2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR POSTING

POSITION:

Self-Contained Instructional Paraeducator (IP)* (Multiple Positions Available)

*Assignment may include: Bus Supervision a.m./p.m., General Classroom, IEP Support, Library, Locker Room Supervision, Lunch/Recess Supervision, Office Support, PE, Resource Room

Schedule:

7 hours per day; 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (start/end times may be adjusted based on student/building need); Monday‑Friday; School Year

Supervisor:

Building Principal(s)

Position Type: Classified, Ongoing

Compensation: $18.98‑$23.77/hour** depending on comparable experience; Pay is annualized over 12 months (if hired after start of school year, spread over remaining months of fiscal year (Sept‑Aug))

**Some assignments include an additional $1.00/hour for hygiene‑related duties

Other Compensation: For paraeducator positions only: $1.00/hour additional pay for positions assigned student hygiene duties as a regularly-scheduled part of daily duties

***Degrees eligible for a salary enhancement: AA, BA, MA, or PhD adds $0.50, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00/hour, respectively (cannot be stacked)

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, basic life and AD&D insurance; retirement plan; deferred compensation (DRS and TSA); paid holidays; paid leave

Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent; Passing score (455) on state-approved Paraeducator Assessment, OR hold AA degree or higher OR have earned 72 quarter or 48 semester credits with college-level courses (100 level or higher); Current first aid/CPR card (training may be provided by District); WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

****Documentation required upon hire; *****Documentation should be submitted during application process

General Description:

Paraeducators are integral to the success of students placed in self‑contained settings. Self‑Contained Instructional Paraeducators support a student’s activities of daily living as well as instructional support/supervision. Collaboration and independence are equally important in this setting due to the significance of student need and the type of support needed. Paraeducators in a self-contained setting frequently support occupational and physical therapy goals under the direction of the OT/PT. Likewise, supporting language via assistive technology may be included in a self-contained instructional paraeducator’s daily tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Support implementation of teacher‑designed instructional activities and classroom routines
Conduct teacher/therapist‑designed instructional experiences
Work with individual and small groups of students
Supervise, model, and teach expected behaviors across educational settings, including classrooms, lunchroom, playground, hallways, etc.
Implement individual and school‑wide behavior support plans and positive interventions
Implement district‑adopted de‑escalation and restraint strategies
Foster social and language development through play activities and active engagement with children
Promote students’ best interests through positive role modeling and student advocacy
Administer assessment materials as trained or delegated
Assist in preparation of instructional materials and perform clerical duties associated with general instruction program
Consistently and respectfully respond to student needs while maintaining confidentiality
May administer medications pursuant to Board policy and pursuant to state and federal law
Assist with care and hygiene needs, as required
Monitor highly structured environments
Perform first aid
Implement teacher‑directed programs with students on a one‑to‑one and/or small group basis in special education classroom as well as during general education inclusion time.
Lead or support de‑escalation/restraint procedures.
Assist student(s) with diet, feeding, personal care, hygiene, movement, and mobility needs.
Assist with learning tasks/activities appropriate to students with moderate to significant disabilities and aligned to IEP goals, under direction of special education teacher.

Potential Additions:

Transport students as necessary
Provide transportation support as necessary. When transportation support is required: Supervise student behavior on the bus to ensure safe travel for all students and passengers; Assist students with mobility restrictions on and off the bus; Assist in loading and unloading of wheelchair‑bound students; Assist in properly securing wheelchairs; Work together with the driver on issues such as safety and comfort on the bus and working with the driver to ensure students are transported safely and in comfort; Assist with management of children with special health problems, e.g., seizures.
The preceding list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Work in a team setting and take direction
Balance firm and consistent discipline with positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS)
Remain calm in times of high stress
Move quickly to meet student needs, maintain safety and respond to crisis
Maintain confidentiality
Supervise recess/unstructured activities, including ability to respond quickly to an emergency or student need
Possess organizational skills and ability to work independently
Build and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and co‑workers
Learn and apply both positive and corrective behavior management techniques
Use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as basic math skills
Willing to be trained in district‑approved de‑escalation and restraint procedures at the first available opportunity
Demonstrate basic computer skills, including ability to create and modify documents and to adapt to new technologies
Operate a variety of educational/office equipment
Have access to reliable transportation
Willing/able to be trained in lifting techniques and fine/gross motor skills
Physical ability to participate in student restraint and ability to move quickly to evade

Potential Additions:

Possess valid WA driver license, satisfactory driving record, and willingness to obtain district‑provided Type II driver training for the purpose of transporting students when required

Mental Demands:

Deal with a wide range of student, staff and public behaviors and needs in a positive and service‑oriented manner
May experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to district needs
May routinely deal with distraught or difficult students or parents

Physical Demands:

Lift up to 50 pounds
Sitting, standing, walking: 20% sitting, 40% walking, 40% standing
Frequent standing and walking; use hands for repetitive grasping and fine finger dexterity; occasionally sit, bend, push/pull, lift/carry; squat, kneel, climb stairs or ladders, reach overhead, lift overhead, knee‑stand.

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent (documentation required prior to beginning employment)
All instructional paraeducators must meet one of the following*:

Have a passing score on the state‑approved Paraeducator Assessment.
Attained an AA degree or higher.
Have earned 72 quarter or 48 semester credits with college‑level courses (100 level or higher).

* Documentation required at time of application

Experience working with students in an educational setting and/or evidence of an interest in supporting learning experiences preferred.

Terms of Employment:

Paraeducator Classification on Public School Employees of Cheney Salary Schedule
School year position: 180 days; hours per day and days per week vary by position; district may revise assignment and job location as needed

Clearances: WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

Evaluation: The employee shall be evaluated per the terms of the Public School Employees (PSE) Collective Bargaining Agreement by the building principal, department director, or designee. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above Duties and Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

Continuing Education/Training:

Must complete school safety training within thirty (30) calendar days from hire date and annually thereafter
Must acquire and maintain CPR/First Aid card within sixty (60) calendar days from hire date and as scheduled thereafter
Must fully complete the Paraeducator Fundamental Course of Study within two years of hire
Attend designated trainings as specified by supervisor and/or department director in order to maintain knowledge/skills

History: Job description and format updated: April 2021

Classifications: Paraeducator

Reporting: Position is supervised and evaluated by the building principal or department director. Position takes direction from classroom teacher and building principal and/or department director.

Representation: Public School Employees of Cheney (PSEC) a local chapter of Public School Employees Union (PSE) SEIU Local 1948

Equal Opportunity Employer: Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Job Requirements