Paraeducator, Early Start

Santa Clara County Office of Education; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Paid vacation and sick leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Santa Clara County Office of Education invites applications for a Paraeducator, Early Start. This part-time, in-person role supports Early Start families by coaching strategies in home, daycare, and community settings across Santa Clara County.

Responsibilities include assisting teachers, communicating with families about child needs, and promoting development across multiple domains. Applicants should have a high school diploma and related qualifications.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 48 college units or a degree from college.
• Ability to obtain passing score on the Paraprofessional Examination per law and agreements.
• Experience or exposure to working with children with exceptional needs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support Early Start staff and families in the child’s natural environment.
• Collaborate with teachers and personnel to implement coaching strategies.
• Assist in providing physical, social, emotional and intellectual support to participating families.

Skills

Coaching families

Communication with families

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent with 48 college units

High school diploma with degree from college

Ability to pass Paraprofessional Examination

Job description

The Educational Services Division is currently accepting applications for Paraeducator, Early Start.

The Paraeducator – Early Start collaborates with teacher(s) and/or other personnel to provide a variety of support duties to Early Start staff and Early Start Families in their child’s natural environment (family home(s), daycare center, etc.) and the community throughout Santa Clara County; helps families understand their child’s qualifying condition and how to integrate strategies, through a coaching model, into their normal routine to enhance the physical, social, emotional and intellectual support of participating families.

This position is part-time, in-person, and has a work year of 12 months, 213 days, 6 hours per day.

Our Paraeducators play a particularly significant role in our students learning. They are essential to our teaching team! To learn more about a day in the life of a Paraeducator, click the link below to view the Paraeducator Recruitment Video:

ParaeducatorRecruitment Video

To learn more about this position, please click here for the job description.

EDUCATION

• Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent and at least 48 college semester units earned at an institution of higher learning; OR
• Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent and possession of a degree earned at an institution of higher learning; OR
• Possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent and the ability to obtain a passing score on the County Office of Education Paraprofessional Examination in accordance with applicable law, statutes, bargaining unit agreements, and merit system rules.

EXPERIENCE

Paid or volunteer experience working with or serving children with exceptional needs aged 0-2.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid California driver’s license
• A driving record that meets the insurance requirements of the County Office of Education.

NOTE: If you were educated outside of the US, you must have your foreign transcripts evaluated by an approved agency prior to being invited to the written exam. The evaluated summary must state you have completed high school, and if applicable, any college degrees held. Click here for a list of approved agencies.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The following application materials are required:

1. Completed SchoolJobs.com Application
2. Resume
3. Answers to supplemental questions (embedded in the online application)*

*NOTE:Supplemental questions are included in the application form and will be used in the initial screening process. Please answer these questions as fully as possible.

The application and materials must be received by application deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. If you are unsure if your application and all required materials have been received, please contact the recruiter for this position, prior to the final filing date.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

• Assessments and interviews may take place virtually or in-person.
• Following the final filing date, the qualifications of all candidates will be evaluated.
• The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a written exam, tentatively scheduled forTBD.
• Those who pass the written exam will be invited to participate in an oral examination with subject matter experts, tentatively scheduled for TBD.
• Based on the final scores of qualified candidates, Classified Personnel Services will establish a ranked candidate list.
• Selected candidates from the list will be invited to a second interview with the hiring authorities, tentatively scheduled for TBD.

• Second interviews may be held in-person.

• Candidates will be invited over email to participate in examination and selection steps, using the email supplied within their SchoolJobs.com applications, or as updated by candidates in their SchoolJobs.com master profiles. Therefore, it is recommended that candidates check their email at least daily.

NOTE: Examination procedures are subject to change as deemed necessary by the Director - Classified Personnel Services. Candidates who test successfully for placement on the eligibility list may be certified to other related positions without further testing requirements, OR job posting announcements. The right is reserved to add, eliminate, or adjust testing steps and/or information on the posting, which may be for less than 15 days, after an eligibility list has been certified, which may cause adjustments on the eligibility list, as evaluated to be reasonable or necessary.

SB 848 COMPLIANCE – EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, and in accordance with California Education Code Section 44051(a)(1), and SB 848 any applicant for a non-teaching position must disclose a complete list of every school district, county office of education, charter school, state special school and diagnostic center operated by the department of education, and private school that the applicant has previously been an employee of, including full-time, part-time, or substitute roles. Failure to provide this information may be considered an act of dishonesty and could affect hiring decisions.

HEALTH, WELFARE, AND OTHER BENEFITS:

The Santa Clara County Office of Education takes pride in offering a benefits program that provides flexibility for the diverse and changing needs of our employees. We provide eligible employees with valuable benefits options including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Fertility healthcare and family forming benefits
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Health and Wellness Program, including Employee Assistance Program and Mental Health and Well-Being resources
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• 403b or 457 Retirement Accounts
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Leave
• 16 Paid Holidays (including 2 floating holidays)
• Tuition Reimbursement

Benefit and Retirement information may vary depending on the bargaining unit. Full-time employees (30 hrs.+/ weekly) are offered free dental and vision coverage for themselves and eligible dependents. Most medical plans are offered at no cost to employees and their eligible dependents. For more information, please visit our benefits page: Employee Benefits

ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS:

Candidates who require reasonable accommodations for any part of the testing process must contact Classified Personnel Services (CPS) at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled test date at 408-453-6845. Hearing-impaired individuals may contact the California Relay Service at 1-800-735-2929, then 408-453-6845. After contacting CPS, candidates will be asked to submit documentation supporting their accommodation request. Failure to reach out within the specified timeline may result in an inability to make accommodations.

RECRUITMENT CONTACT:

For questions about the position or recruitment process, please contact:

Shahana Shah

408.453.6847

[e-mail]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The Santa Clara County Office of Education prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying based on actual or perceived race or ethnicity, gender/sex (including gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and pregnancy-related medical conditions) sexual orientation, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, immigration status, physical or mental status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age (40 and above), genetic information, political belief or affiliation (not union related), a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation in any program or activity it conducts or to which it provides significant assistance.

For direct concerns related to Equal Opportunity Employment, please contact:

Dr. Kanika D. White

Associate Superintendent

Human Resources

Santa Clara County Office of Education

1290 Ridder Park Drive

San Jose, Ca 95131