Paraeducator - Non-Mainstream Special Education - Structured Program

Bethel School District 403; Washington; On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Bethel School District 403 seeks a Paraeducator for Non-Mainstream Special Education in a high-needs, self-contained classroom at Naches Trail Elementary. The role supports certificated staff, assists with instruction, and helps students with daily living skills and behavior management.

This position is paid on the PSE salary schedule Lev5 at $25.40 per hour, for 178 days per year, with extended hours in the first year to complete certification and required ASD coursework and Right Response

Qualifications

• Experience with non-mainstreamed special education is preferred.
• Completion of ASD-related coursework and state certification requirements.
• Ability to implement behavior management and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist certificated staff in small groups or individually to support learning.
• Monitor student safety and manage behavior per district policies.
• Support daily living skills and basic life skills for students.
• Prepare and modify instructional materials as directed.

Skills

Special Education

Paraeducator

Classroom support

Behavior management

Education

Washington Paraeducator Assessment

Autism Spectrum Disorder course

First Aid

Job description

Paraeducator - Non-Mainstream Special Education - Structured Program JobID: 14633

• Date Posted: 8/24/2026
• Location: NACHES TRAIL ELEM (High-Needs School)
• Closing Date: 09/09/2026

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 Lev5 - $ 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

Must complete Right Response Training and receive qualifications within 3-5 months. Renewal of Right Response certification must be completed annualy prior to expiration date.

Person hired for this position must complete the online Autism Spectrum Disorder course within 3 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

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.

Description

This position's responsibilities are to assist certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for non-mainstreamed special education students, generally in a self-contained classroom, and including instructing students individually or in small groups, assisting students with basic life skills, and supervising student behavior activities. Activities may include personal care, toilet teaching, feeding and communication development in addition to academic or pre-academic instruction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Depending upon individual assignment, the Paraeducator - Non-Mainstream Special Education may perform all or a combination of several of the following duties:

1. Instructs moderately to severely handicapped 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. Assists in the administration of objective tests or other measurements.
2. Communicates with certificated staff concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet the needs of a wide variety of students; consults with certificated staff concerning remediation or enrichment activities.
3. Assists certificated staff in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments and other records for assessment of student progress.
4. Attends to student physical and safety needs; monitors students for medical risks such as seizures and behaviors that may result in harm to themselves or others. Corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures.
5. Assists students with toileting, which may include catheterization and diapering; attends to the personal hygiene needs of students. Assists students in washing hands and face, brushing teeth and hair, and taking showers.
6. Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery; helps feed students and teaches social aspects of eating with others.
7. Assists students with basic living skills and pre-vocational activities. Works with students to develop communication skills; facilitates integration of students with age-group peers to the extent possible.
8. Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff and parents for student progress and safety, and community relations.
9. Provides physical assistance to students, such as lifting or positioning. Uses adaptive equipment to communicate with students; follows and documents procedures established by physical therapist.
10. Monitors need for first aid for students and refers for treatment as appropriate.
11. Maintains cleanliness and hygiene of classroom, implements and equipment. Washes dishes; cleans and disinfects tables and counters; washes and dries clothes, towels, washcloths and bibs.
12. Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.
13. Locates, prepares and/or modifies materials for student use, enrichment activities and special projects under the direction of certificated staff.
14. Prepares, duplicates, collates and distributes materials; operates a variety of office equipment.
15. Maintains physical appearance of classroom and other assigned areas; maintains, assembles and stores therapeutic and other equipment as assigned; maintains supplies as assigned.
16. 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.
17. Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the school principal or assigned administrator; receives guidance from certificated staff.

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. Non-violent crisis intervention, development and use of PECS, visual schedule systems, and visual supports, use of Social Stories, universal precautions and toilet teaching for special needs, understanding of child development and the needs of students on the Autism spectrum, and sensory processing. Completion of the Autism Spectrum Disorder course.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 and implement effective behavior management techniques. Ability to learn and implement effective instructional techniques. Knowledge of a variety of behavior and learning disorders. Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures. Ability to remain flexible and calm when schedules change or student becomes agitated. 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. Ability to diffuse situations and resolve conflicts. Requires some confidentiality.

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. Hepatitis-B immunization is offered. Must complete Right Response Training and receive qualifications within the first 3-5 months of hire date.

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.