Paraeducator - Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program

Federal Way Public Schools; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Federal Way Public Schools is seeking a Paraeducator to support Deaf/Hard of Hearing students in DHH and mainstream classrooms under a certified teacher or case manager. The role includes assisting with IEP goals, data collection, and implementing behavior plans while promoting student independence.

Responsibilities include helping with daily living skills, transitions, and maintaining communication with staff and families.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent is required, with one of the specified postsecondary options.
• Pass the state ParaPro Assessment or equivalent credential per district requirements.
• Ability to work with Deaf/Hard of Hearing students under guidance of certified staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist with implementation and evaluation of IEP goals and objectives.
• Support daily instruction in DHH settings and mainstream classrooms.
• Plan and adapt lessons based on IEP goals.
• Collect and maintain data to measure program effectiveness.
• Assist with behavior plans and daily living skills instruction.
• Support transitions and mobility tasks for students.

Skills

Sign language proficiency

Interpersonal communication

IEP data handling

Behavior support

Collaboration

Data collection & analysis

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

AA degree

48 College-Level Semester Credits

72 College-Level Quarter Credits

ParaPro Assessment

Tools

Hoyer lift

FM systems

Assistive listening equipment

Job description

Paraeducator - Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program JobID: 13187

• Position Type: ParaEducator (School Aide) / Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
• Date Posted: 8/26/2026
• Location: Sherwood Forest Elementary
• Date Available: 09/02/2026
• Closing Date: Upon Hire
• Days of the Week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• Shift Times: 8:20-3:05 Monday-Thursday, and 8:20-2:05 Friday (early release)

This position is supporting our Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Pre-K and DHH 1-3 classrooms at Sherwood Forest Elementary School.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The paraeducator in this position must be willing to work with deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) students under the direction of a certified teacher, specialist or principal. The D/HH paraeducator's duties include assisting D/HH students in a variety of educational settings including D/HH and mainstream classrooms under the supervision of the deaf and hard of hearing case manager. The type and degree of assistance, communication, and intervention will be directed by the D/HH case manager.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with the implementation and evaluation of IEP goals and objectives.
• Assist in the daily instruction of the assigned student and other students in group activities.
• Assist in the planning of daily/weekly individual and group lessons based on IEP goals and objectives.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain data to modify IEP and help determine program effectiveness.
• Provide all staff with essential information to meet IEP goals and objectives.
• Assist in developing and implementing behavior plans for the student.
• Assist with the teaching of appropriate daily living skills, including personal hygiene, toileting, feeding, other self-help skills, communication, and classroom routines.
• Assist student with successful transitions such as arrival, dismissal, music, P.E., library, motor activities, lunch, and recess.
• Assist in transferring student, if in a wheelchair, from chair to floor and back, from chair to toilet and back or to special equipment (i.e., Stander, special chair, etc.) using either a Hoyer lift or 1-2 person lift.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare classroom or instructional materials, as requested
• Perform instructional clerical tasks.
• Work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers.
• Assist substitute teacher with helpful information pertinent to the classroom.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Per Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Regulations, new hires must have:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent,
• And one of the following:
  • AA degree
  • 48 College-Level Semester Credits
  • 72 College-Level Quarter Credits
  • Pass the state approved ParaPro Assessment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Proficient in basic spelling, math and grammar skills
• Experienced and/or training in language development as it relates to reading instruction, remediation, and assessment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working with deaf/hard of hearing students

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

• Pass a criminal background check
• Complete the district's paraeducator core competency requirements
• Possess and maintain Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) certificated course
• Successfully complete the FWPS district-approved Right Response training at the advanced level at the next available time; maintain current certification at the advanced level through an annual recertification class
• Possess and maintain American Heart Association or American Red Cross CPR and first aid training
• Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Individual education plans (IEPs)
• Assistive listening equipment (personal hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM systems, sound field systems)
• English grammar and spelling
• Basic math
• Positive behavior interventions
• Right Response and de-escalation techniques
• School Board Policies

ABILITY TO:

• Use a sign language system in a non-interpretive manner at a conversational level
• Assist with the monitoring and care of Assistive listening equipment (personal hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM systems, sound field systems)
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of modern technology and willingness and ability to increase knowledge to proficiency
• Work independently and work collaboratively with others fostering a team approach whenever appropriate.
• Maintain a good work attendance record, be punctual, and follow District procedures for reporting all absences.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm, flexibility and a commitment to students.
• Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines.
• Develop and maintain positive relations with staff and service providers
• Follow written and verbal directions with minimal supervision
• Speak, read and follow written communications in English
• Perform basic spelling, math and grammar skills
• Demonstrate the desire, skill and patience to work with students with special emotional, academic and social needs, which may include violent behavior
• Demonstrate a caring attitude and establish an environment that encourages appropriate behavior and successful learning
• Exercise judgment as to when to act independently and when to refer to higher authority
• Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
• Communicate effectively with staff, students, parents/guardians, and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community
• Interact positively with students, parents and staff in a professional manner and demonstrate a commitment for students and their success
• Continue professional growth
• Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:

• Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
• Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
• Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future."
• Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will constantly sit, stand and walk, bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee is frequently required to squat, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation. The employee will occasionally be required to climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, crawl, and lift/carry. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 10 lbs and must frequently lift/carry up to 25 lbs. The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 50 lbs. Any lifting over 50 lbs should be done with two people or a mechanical device. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum force of 200 lbs.

WORK CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor and outdoor conditions. This position intermittently works near a video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Position occasionally exposed to angry, frustrated, or aggressive individuals, typically in a school classroom environment. Potential exposure to infectious diseases.

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a school year assignment. Hours and days will vary slightly from school to school.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Position reports to classroom teacher and/or department head and building principal. Position is evaluated by the building principal or designee.

REPRESENTATION

Public School Employees Union (PSE) SEIU Local 1948

LEVEL OF COMPENSATION

Paraeducator position on the PSE Salary Schedule.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

Update 07/2015 Updated Right Response language 07/2017

DISCLAIMER

The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.

Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.