Para - Multi-Tiered System of Support

Bethel School District 403; Spanaway (WA); On-site; USD 41,328,000 - 46,838,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary

Insurance

Retirement Plans

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Other Compensation

Job summary

Bethel School District 403 is seeking a paraeducator who will assist certificated staff and MTSS teams, focusing on Tier 2/3 interventions for students. The role involves working with students individually or in small groups to support instructional and behavioral goals.

The position requires completing the FCS and General Paraeducator Certificate Program and meeting Washington state requirements. Hours include daily work, with pay according to the PSE Salary Schedule Level 5.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Associate degree or two years of higher education or completion of Washington State paraeducator assessment is required.
• Must complete FCS and General Paraeducator Certificate Program per state requirements.

Responsibilities

• Instructs students individually or in small groups under supervision; supports Tier II interventions and behavior tracking.
• Communicates with certificated staff about student needs and progress.
• Documents progress and maintains intervention records; assists in communicating with parents.

Skills

Reading ability

Writing ability

Organization

Communication

Flexibility

Record keeping

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate degree / 2 years higher education / Paraeducator assessment

FCS and General Paraeducator Certificate Program

Tools

Office equipment

Computers/Basic software

Job description

• Date Posted: 8/12/2026
• Location: SPANAWAY MIDDLE
• Closing Date: 08/18/2026

POSITION HOURS AND PAY

This position is for 6.5 hours per day at 178 days; 7 hours per day for 4 days for the first year and 2 days each year following until certification is completed. Position pay: PSE Salary Schedule Level 5 - $ 25.40

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Official Hire Date - Your hire date with the Bethel School District is based on School Board approval. This date depends on multiple factors and may change without notice. Please contact HR with any questions.

Must successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program per State requirements. Paraeducator Certificate Program is dependent upon State funding.

• Must be 18 years of age; and
• Hold high school diploma or its equivalent; and one of the following
• Successfully passed the ETS Para Pro test
• AA degree
• Earned seventy-two (72) quarter credits or forty-eight (48) semester credits at an accredited institution of higher education
• Completion of registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries

You may provide unofficial transcripts in your application but will be required to provide official ones upon hire. Not providing required documents could significantly delay your official hire. Please contact HR with questions.

Para testing information. https://www.bethelsd.org/Page/798

GENERAL SUMMARY

This position's responsibilities are to assist certificated staff, MTSS team and administrators with instructional and non-instructional activities for students considered to be Tier 2 or Tier 3. This person would work with students individually or in small groups, in collaboration with certificated staff and administration, as part of an intervention program within the building MTSS.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Instructs students individually or in small groups in a variety of subject areas, settings and learning activities. Implements methods to best serve individual students academically and behaviorally under the direction of certificated staff; promotes student understanding of materials. Promotes a positive attitude toward learning. Reinforces concepts and skills.
2. Administers and supports Tier II interventions such as check in/ check out, complete behavior tracking forms, may pull students out of regular classrooms or push into classrooms for intervention and support. Locates, prepares and/or modifies materials for student use under the direction of certificated staff. Provides guidance and motivation to students; facilitates mastery of skills concepts; promotes completion of work.
3. Communicates with certificated staff concerning individual student needs and progress on student plans.
4. Documents progress of assigned student; maintains intervention records manually and on computer, and assists in preparing and updating student progress and plans and may assist in communication with the parent.
5. Constructs learning tools such as flash cards, number games, and other learning materials; may research and locate learning materials; compiles materials for student interventions and supports; may order materials and supplies as needed.
6. Types, duplicates, collates, organizes and distributes intervention materials. May create posters and charts and design bulletin boards. Operates a variety of office equipment and computers.
7. Conducts student observations for behavior, academic or social emotional needs.
8. Assists the MTSS team with scheduling meetings, taking notes, updating student plans, etc.
9. May attend Tier I, II or III meetings as necessary and outlined by the administrator.
10. Assists the MTSS team with administering screening of students, setting up testing schedules, scoring and recording screening results in a digital data system.
11. Maintains and updates student plans, teacher surveys, follows up with the MTSS team to help create next steps for students and staff.
12. Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.
13. Provides general clerical support; maintains student files and records, provides teacher support by duplicating materials, and performs related tasks.
14. Attends a variety of staff and program meetings as requested.
15. May serve on various district committees and/or departmental work teams. Models appropriate and cooperative behavior, including protecting confidential information, consistent with district ethical guidelines.
16. Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the school principal. Receives guidance from a basic skills specialist; coordinates with certificated staff.

MENTAL DEMANDS

May experience frequent interruptions; required to deal with a wide range of student behaviors and academic ability; may be required to deal with a wide range of physical or emotional disabilities; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students; exposed to student noise levels; use of equipment such as paper cutters in presence of students requires safety awareness; may be exposed to visual display terminal for prolonged periods; will frequently lift five (5) pounds and will occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Education, training, skills, and experience necessary to carry out the assignment, with experience working with school-aged children and instructional and remedial education experience preferred. High School diploma or GED is required. Associate degree, or two years of higher education, or completion of the Washington State paraeducator assessment required.

Allowable Substitutions

Not applicable.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated skill in reading, writing and communicating. Knowledge of basic subject areas such as reading and math. Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner. Ability to remain flexible to changes in assignments. Ability to organize activities. Ability to follow and give instructions. Ability to maintain accurate records. Ability to be fair and consistent when working with children. Ability to learn and implement effective behavior management techniques. Ability to learn and implement effective instructional techniques. Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures. Ability to learn the use of computers and various software packages for student instruction and record keeping. Ability to learn the operation of general office machines. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Requires fingerprinting and background check to determine that there have been no convictions involving physical molestation, abuse, injury or neglect of a minor. Must complete training in and adhere to district infection control plan. Must successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and General Paraeducator Certificate of the state mandated Paraeducator Certificate Program per State requirements. The Paraeducator Certificate Program is dependent upon State funding.

PSE UNIT AFFILIATION

Paraeducator/Special Services

CONDITIONS

The preceding list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

WAGES AND BENEFITS

• Salaries/Wages
• Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off or Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Other Compensation

Non-Discrimination Policy

Bethel School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, disability, neurodivergence, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance / Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Darius Alexander, [e-mail], 253.800.2019; Title IX Coordinator, Mel Boyd, [e-mail], 253.800.2029; and 504 Coordinator, Melissa Munson-Merritt, [e-mail], 253.800.2301. All individuals may be reached at this address: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint: bethelsd.org.

Postings current as of 8/15/2026 4:10:07 PM CST.

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