Para Educator: Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist

Mead School District; Mead (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a dedicated Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist Para Educator to support students with diverse needs. In this rewarding role, you will assist in enhancing students' fine and gross motor skills while maintaining accurate records of their progress. Your ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a team will be crucial in fostering a positive learning environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on students' lives, all while working in a supportive and dynamic school community. If you are passionate about helping students succeed, this is the perfect role for you.

Benefits

Medical Benefits

Dental Benefits

Vision Benefits

Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent and first aid/CPR certification.
• Experience working with students with disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist OT/PT in improving students' motor skills and maintaining records.
• Communicate student progress and needs to staff.

Skills

Communication Skills

Ability to Work with Students

Confidentiality

Flexibility

First Aid/CPR Certification

Education

High School Diploma

Associate Degree or Higher

Completed ParaPro Praxis Assessment

Tools

Google Docs

Word Processing Software

Spreadsheet Software

Job description

2323 E Farwell Road

Mead, WA 99021

Human Resources

509-465-6010

Fax: [phone]

www.mead354.org

CLASSIFIED VACANCY

May 6, 2025

Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist Para Educator

Monday - Friday/Continuing

6.5 Hrs/Day

JOB SUMMARY

The OT/PT paraeducator provides assistance to the occupational/physical therapist. Assist OT/PT in activities to improve students’ fine and gross motor skills and maintain student records. This position requires working with students with varied disabilities (mild to severe learning, behavioral, emotional, and physical disabilities).

Essential Functions

• Under the direct supervision of the OT/PT, assist in provision of fine and gross motor activities for students who qualify for service.
• Assist in monitoring student progress and keeping data records on students served.
• Communicate progress and needs to appropriate staff.
• Assist in the management of therapy files, forms, correspondence, catalogs, etc.
• Maintaintherapy storage areas, toys, treatment areas, etc.
• Participate in multidisciplinary (MST) teams as assigned.
• Assist Special Services AA in inventory and maintaining OT/PT equipment and budget.
• Follow and implement plans, procedures, strategies, or tasks as directed by an administrator or certificated staff, such as observing, recording data, charting behavior, and activities.
• Learn and apply approaches/strategies to use when working with students.
• Demonstrate interest in working with students, including those with special needs.
• Encourage and model expected behavior.
• Build and maintain a positive, caring relationship with all students.
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with all members of the school community.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for diversity among all members of the school/department or district community.
• Participate in training courses in order to enhance skills.
• Perform computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheets, Google Docs, scanning, working with the print shop, and email.
• Report to assigned duty areas promptly and reliably.
• Remain flexible to changes in assignments or situations.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Provide first aid in case of illness and/or injury and report accidents to the building office.
• Perform other duties as directed by OT/PT providers and/or special services administration.
• Manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Ability to work flexibly in a variety of settings, including different worksites, and with a variety of students ranging in age from preschool to 22.

Minimum QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Current first aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain promptly

Para educators shall be required to be highly qualified upon hire into a continuing position as defined by state law.

• Completed at least 2 years of study totaling 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at the 100 level or higher at an accredited college or university; OR
• Obtained an associates (or higher) degree; OR
• Completed and passed the ETS ParaPro Praxis Assessment (qualifying score of at least 455); OR
• Completed and passed the Master Teacher Assessments (2 assessments, qualifying score of at least 65%); OR
• Completed and passed the Pearson Paraprofessional assessment:(qualifying score of at least) OR
• Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated skill in communicating effectively with all staff, students, parents and as a team member, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with students in a warm and confident manner.
• Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Related training/experience in working with students with disabilities preferred.
• Demonstrated successful work experience.
• Willingness to learn new techniques/strategies.
• Possess a cordial, cooperative attitude at all times.
• Skill in maintaining a calm, patient, confident demeanor in a stressful situation.

Physical Demands :The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A person working in this position will exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally while carrying, pushing, and/or pulling to move objects. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds unaided and may lift over 50 pounds with the assistance of another person and/or a lift assist. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit; some stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching; and significant fine finger dexterity. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or ordinary infectious diseases carried by students.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT and Salary:

As outlined by and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) of the Mead Support and Service Professionalsand Policies and Procedures of Mead School District. A typical school year consists of 180 days plus 10 holidays,September through June of each school year. The individual number of days may vary by position as defined within the CBA.

The salary range for the position is:Min $17.75 – Max $20.77. Positions qualifying for the intensive care stipend as defined within the contract earn an additional $1.50 per hour. Salary placement will be at step 1 on the scale for the position unless otherwise noted within the contract. CBAs and Salary Schedules can be reviewed from the Human Resources page of the Mead School District website athttps://www.mead354.org/about-us/department-directory/human-resources/new-pageMead policies and Procedures can be accessed online athttps://www.mead354.org/about-us/board-of-directors/board-policies

Each employee shall accumulate twelve (12) days of sick leave per year. An employee employed less than a full work year shall be entitled to a proportionate part of the sick leave allowance. A maximum of three (3) days of annual leave are provided for all employees based on the employee’s scheduled employment hours per day to be used for an absence during work hours, or to be accumulated for the purpose of cash out.

Employees anticipated to work more than 630 hours per year will be eligible for Benefits through the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Standard benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability. Positions anticipated to work 70 hours or more per month for at least5 months over a 12-month period are eligible for Retirement through the State Department of Retirement Services.

APPLICATION

MEMBERS of Mead Support and Service Professionalsinterested in this position need to apply for this position via the application system, Talent Ed Recruit & Hire atwww.mead354.org/employmentbyaccessing the internal postings via the Internal link on the upper right-hand corner of the page. You will need to log in using your district email to see internal postings.Please complete the required information on the internal application, including uploading a letter of interest and current resume to your profile, on or before11:59 PM,May 13, 2025.

All other applicants interested in this position, must apply for this posting through a link to our online applicant system found on the website at www.mead354.org. Upload the required documents to your application. Below is a list of required materials. If you have questions regarding this process, you may contact Shelli Nemec at the District Administration Building or email [e-mail]. The application, along with all required documents must be completed on or before 11:59 PM,May 13, 2025.Incomplete applications will not be considered.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A COMPLETE APPLICATION

YourResume

Your currentLetter of Interest,which speaks specifically to your abilities in the position for which you are applying

Three (3) dated and current (within the last 3 years)letters of recommendation, or 3 completed online reference checks (email addresses required for references)ora combination of 3 letters and completed online checks.

Copy of yourHigh School Diploma or High School Transcripts.

A copy of your college transcripts or proof of passing one of thethe Master Teacher Assessments or Parapro test.

Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed before employment commences. The successful candidate for this position must be fingerprinted. Employment is contingent upon clearance by the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Mead School District #354 is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance procedures may be directed to the District’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Officer, Section 504 Coordinator, Josh Westermann, [e-mail] and/or Affirmative Action officer, Keri Hutchins,[e-mail], [phone] or via mail to 2323 E. Farwell Rd., Mead, WA, 99021. Persons who may need some accommodation in the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Office at [phone].

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