Paraeducator - Mainstream Special Education

Bethel School District 403; Berkeley (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Bethel School District is seeking a paraeducator for mainstream special education at Pioneer Valley Elem. The role involves assisting certificated staff, instructing students in small groups, monitoring progress and behavior, and maintaining records.

The position requires meeting state qualification pathways and completing training programs. The wage is listed on the PSE Salary Schedule Level 5 at $25.40 per hour, with 178 days per year and 6.5 hours per day.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Federal minimum employment requirements to interview include Paraeducator options (ParaPathways, AA or higher, 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits, apprenticeship, or Master Teacher Paraeducator training).
• Experience with school age children and special needs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for mainstream special education students.
• Instruct students individually or in small groups and monitor progress and behavior.
• Maintain records, assist with testing, and supervise students in various settings to promote safety and learning.
• Communicate with staff, parents, and the public regarding student progress and safety.

Job description

Paraeducator - Mainstream Special Education JobID: 14647

• Date Posted: 8/24/2026
• Location: PIONEER VALLEY ELEM (High-Needs School)
• Closing Date: 08/30/2026

POSITION HOURS AND PAY

This position is for 6.5 hours per day at 178 days per year.
*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.

Required Training - Person hired for this position must also complete Right Response Training within 3-5 months of hire.

*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.

IMPORTANT: In order to be considered for an interview for this instructional paraeducator position you must meet the following federal minimum employment requirements.

• Must be 18 years of age; and
• Hold high school diploma or its equivalent; and one of the following
  • Successfully passed the ParaPathways Assessment test or Pearson Paraprofessional assessment
  • AA degree or higher
  • 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
  • Successful completion ofThe Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program

JOB DESCRIPTION

This position's responsibilities are to assist certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for mainstream special education students, including instructing students individually or in small groups, monitoring and documenting student behavior and progress, and supervising student activities.

Job Summary

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Instructs students individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities to promote student understanding of materials presented. Provides encouragement, reinforcement and achievement of educational objectives and goals defined by certificated staff. Under direction of certificated staff, may administer and supervise objective tests or other measurements.
• Communicates with certificated staff concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities; consults with certificated staff concerning remediation or enrichment activities.
• Assists certificated staff in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments and other records for assessment of student progress. May correct, score or grade papers and assignments according to guidelines or instructions.
• Supervises student behavior in classrooms, playground, halls, at lunch or breaks, at bus boarding areas, on field trips and at other sites as assigned to promote safe and appropriate student behavior. Corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures. Instructs students in behavioral rules and codes for student safety, socialization and individual growth.
• Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff, parents and the public for student progress and safety, and community relations.
• May provide physical assistance to handicapped students, such as lifting and positioning or assistance with personal hygiene.
• Monitors need for first aid for injured or ill students and refers for treatment as appropriate.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.
• Locates, prepares and/or modifies materials for student use, enrichment activities and special projects under the direction of certificated staff.
• Prepares, duplicates, collates and distributes materials; operates a variety of office equipment.
• 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.
• Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the school principal. Receives guidance from assigned program administrator, assigned teacher or program specialist.

MENTAL DEMANDS

May experience frequent interruptions; required to deal with a wide range of student behaviors and academic abilities; 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; required to lift and position students and their special equipment such as wheelchairs; required to work in non-routine positions for extended periods; may be required to attend to students' personal hygiene; may be exposed to biting behavior; may need to take precautions to avoid exposure to student bodily fluids; playground supervision requires working outdoors in inclement weather.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Education, training, skills, and experience necessary to carry out the assignment, with experience working with school age children and special needs students preferred. For Title One and Title One School-wide Special Education positions there is an associate degree, or proof of completion of the Washington State Paraeducator Assessment, or two years of higher education requirement per the Federal "No Child Left Behind" Act.

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 in changes in assignments. Ability to organize activities. Ability to follow and give instructions. Ability to be fair and consistent when working with students. Ability to learn effective behavior management techniques. Ability to learn effective instructional techniques. Knowledge of a variety of behavior and learning disorders. 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. May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certification. Requires hepatitis-B immunization. May be required to attend training and become Right Response certified.

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 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.

PSE UNIT AFFILIATION

Paraeducator/Special Services

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.