Non-Permanent Paraeducator

State of Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

WFSE representation

Benefits (medical, dental, vision)

Job summary

State of Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) seeks a paraeducator to assist teachers and support deaf and hard-of-hearing students in a classroom setting at the Washington School for the Deaf in Vancouver, WA.

The role is non-permanent for the 2025/26 school year with potential extension into 2026/27. Telework is not available; typical hours are Monday–Thursday and Friday, with on-duty lunch provided during school lunches.

Qualifications

• Fluency in ASL and written English required.
• Strong knowledge of Deaf culture.
• Experience in education settings with pre-k–12 students preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Willing to work with students from Pre-K to 12th grade.
• Willing to adapt to changes and provide ongoing one-on-one support.

Responsibilities

• Provide instruction and supervision of students in various settings.
• Work with students to carry out lesson plans and activities.
• Modify instruction to meet individual learning needs.
• Supervise and correct student behavior per plans.
• Administer tests and assist with assessments.
• Participate in meetings to discuss student development and wellness.
• Maintain positive relationships and a safe learning environment.
• Act as a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect.

Skills

ASL Fluency

Written English

Deaf culture knowledge

Education setting experience

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Pre-K–12 experience

Adaptability

Education

Passing score on approved assessment

Associate degree or higher

72 quarter credits / 48 semester credits

Paraeducator apprenticeship

Job description

Paraeducator

Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Vancouver, WA

Note – This is a non-permanent, school year-based position and is not scheduled to work during annual school closures. This position is expected to continue the remainder of the 2025/26 school year and may be extended into the 2026/27 school year.

This recruitment will tentatively close on September 15, 2026. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. Applicant materials are reviewed weekly.

Our Agency

The Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) is an educational community and statewide resource committed to ensuring all deaf and hard of hearing students in Washington reach their full potential. Our agency offers a variety of services including academic, residential, outreach services, and professional development. CDHY celebrates all language experiences and deaf culture. We are committed to providing the best individualized learning experience for all students we serve. Washington School for the Deaf is the campus school for the Center and offers educational programming for preschool through age 21 in Vancouver, WA.

Our Staff

Our employees are more than just workers. They are part of a community, network, and family. Each staff member serves as a role model to students. We're looking for people that can contribute, grow, think, and dream. We thrive in a culture that embraces diversity and rewards imagination. CDHY is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion! Our agency strives to create an inclusive and diverse learning community with emphasis on access, success, and equity by recruiting, retaining, and ensuring the success of diverse students, faculty, and staff. CDHY aims to build a community that values and respects one another by providing the best learning environment for faculty, staff, and student success.

About the Position

The Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth is seeking to fill a non-permanent Paraeducator position. This position provides classroom assistance and direct instruction to deaf and hard of hearing students per the direction of the classroom teacher. Paraeducator placement can vary by classroom and age group. Paraeducators may be assigned to work with students in an ongoing one-on-one capacity as needed. This position are located at the WSD campus location and telework options are not available. This position is expected to continue the remainder of the 2025/26 school year and may be extended into the 2026/27 school year.

Position Schedule

Monday-Thursday 7:30m-4:00pm

Friday 7:30am-1:30pm

Paraeducators receive a paid, on-duty lunch as they are responsible for the supervision of students during the school lunch period.

• Provides instruction and supervision of students in various educational settings including classroom, job environments and off-campus settings (field trip locations).
• Works directly with students to carry out lesson plans and activities.
• Modifies instruction to meet the individual learning needs of students, to include adapting language, assisting with reading for comprehension, providing students with choices to ensure engagement and comprehension.
• Supervises and corrects student behavior per student's individual behavioral plans.
• Administers tests, quizzes, and assists with various assessments.
• Participates in various meetings to advocate and report on student development and assists academic leadership by providing input for student's learning and overall wellness needs.
• Supervises students during passing times and the school lunch period.
• Provides a positive learning experience for students through professional action and behavior.
• Provides instruction to students by demonstrating positive and professional interactions with others.
• Maintains positive relationships with students by fostering an environment of openness and honesty.
• Provides a safe environment for students by communicating concerns or information pertaining to student's wellness, safety, and learning needs.
• Acts as a mandated reporter, committed to reporting any concern of neglect or abuse of students to the appropriate authority.
• Participates in student's learning and development by reporting and communicating any relevant information regarding individual student's needs.
• Participates as an active participant on various teams and committees related to student development and learning.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Fluency in ASL and written English.
• Strong knowledge of Deaf culture.
• Some experience working in an education setting with pre-k-12th grade students.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Willing and able to work with students from Pre-K – 12th grade.
• Willing and able to adapt to changes in assignment as needed, including providing ongoing one-on-one support to students as assigned.

• Must be willing and able to lift, push or pull up to 30 lbs
• Must be willing and able to walk distances in and around the WSD campus and grounds
• Must be willing and able to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
• Must be willing and able to work outside.
• Must be willing to travel to various field trip locations to monitor students.
• Must be able to successfully pass state and federal background checks.
• Must be willing and able to be a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect.

Applicants must also meet one of the following minimum qualifications for paraeducator certification

• Have received a passing score on one of the assessments approved by the Professional Educator’s Standard board.
• Hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Have earned 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at the 100 level or higher at an accredited college or university.
• Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Paraprofessional certification or ability to obtain paraprofessional certification within one year of employment.
• Two or more years experience working in an educational setting for deaf and hard of hearing children.
• Vocational training experience.

CDHY is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The candidate selected for this position will be required to pass federal and state criminal background screening.

This position includes representation option with the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

This position is eligible for benefits (medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life insurance).

This position is ineligible for retirement.

Remote/Telework options are not available for this position.

This is a school year-based position and is not scheduled to work during annual school closures, which includes winter, spring and summer break. This position does not receive spread pay and there is no guarantee of additional work opportunities during school closures. Employees may cash out accrued vacation leave during the school breaks.

Salary information

This position is paid in accordance with the Washington General Government pay scale at a Range 39 with dual language (5%) premium pay.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email the Human Resources office at [e-mail].