Paraeducator Preschool Special Education

Bethel School District, WA; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Bethel School District 403 is seeking a dedicated Paraeducator for Preschool Special Education to support certificated staff in delivering individualized instruction to young students with special needs.

You will assist in small groups and in classroom activities, supervise students, and help with behavior management, safety, and basic daily tasks. A high school diploma and state credentials are required.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively.
• Ability to follow instructions and maintain student safety.

Responsibilities

• Assist certificated staff in instruction for preschool special education students.
• Supervise students in classroom, on playground, and during activities.
• Assist with meals, snacks, and personal care as required.
• Maintain a clean, organized classroom and track student progress.

Skills

Reading and writing

Communication

Flexibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Frontline Applicant Tracking - Bethel School District 403

Paraeducator Preschool Special Education JobID: 14774

• Date Posted: 10/13/2026
• Location: KATHERINE G. JOHNSON ELEM (High-Needs School)
• Closing Date: 10/19/2026

POSITION HOURS AND PAY: This position is for 6.75 hours per day at 142 days per year and 3.5 hours per day at 8 days per year. 7hours per day for 4days for the first year, and 2 days each year following until certification is completed. * Position pay: PSE Salary Schedule Level 5- $25.40 (26-27 PSE SALARY SCHEDULE)

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. Renewal of Right Response certification must be completed annually prior to expiration date.

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 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 of the Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program

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.

TB (Tuberculosis) Testing - Must Provide Proof of passing TB (tuberculosis) test PRIOR to official hire!

MMR Vaccine Required

Para testing information. https://www.bethelsd.org/programs-departments/human-resources/career-opportunities/instructional-paraeducator-requirements

This position's responsibilities are to assist certificated staff in a variety of activities for preschool special education students, including instructing students individually or in small groups, and supervising student behavior and supervising student activities as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Depending upon the individual assignment, the Paraeducator - Preschool Special Education may perform all or a combination of the following:

• 1. Provides instruction and other assistance to special needs preschool students ages 3 to 5 in a partially self-contained/partially integrated program. Works with 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.
• 2. Communicates with instructor and program specialists concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet the needs of a wide variety of students. Assist professional staff in implementing a targeted program.
• 3. Keeps students focused on specific tasks. Supervises student behavior in the classroom, on the playground, at bus area, on field trips, in washrooms, and at other sites as needed. Accompanies students to, from, and during specialists activities. 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.
• 4. Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery.
• 5. Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff, and parents for student progress, safety, and community relations. Assists with parent and student volunteers in program activities.
• 6. Provides assistance to physically handicapped students, such as lifting and positioning or assistance with personal hygiene.
• 7. Maintains physical safety and well-being of students; assists students with entering and exiting buses, getting in and out of chairs or wheelchairs, getting on and off a toilet, diapering, and in other forms of personal and interpersonal conduct. Monitors need for first aid for injured or ill students and refers for treatment as appropriate; tracks and dispenses authorized medication as required.
• 8. Prepares and sets up snacks and lunches for children; prepares specialized food and sets up adaptive equipment, orders snack items and paper products. Maintains inventory of food service supplies; teaches children basic food preparation skills. Assists children with eating and associated social behaviors. Cleans up after meals; wipes and disinfects tables and counter areas.
• 9. Assists students with self-help skills; teaches them to put on and remove clothes, eat properly, use the toilet, and care for other aspects of personal safety, cleanliness and hygiene.
• 10. Assists students with physical movement and exercise; follows specific regimen developed by therapist.
• 11. May accompany instructor when visiting the students in their home settings. Assists in documenting the visit and recording observations.
• 12. Maintains cleanliness and order of classroom and toys and equipment. Maintains, assembles and stores playground equipment as assigned; maintains supplies as assigned.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• 13. Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.
• 14. Prepares, duplicates, collates and distributes materials; operates a variety of office equipment.
• 15. May assist instructor in maintaining logs, charts and other records for assessment of student progress. 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.
• 17. Maintains log of students transportation information, according to program requirements.
• 18. Participates in a variety of meetings and training sessions.
• 19. May have flexible hours to allow employee to participate in family and/or community activities related to program objectives.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the Director for Special Services; receives guidance from assigned certificated staff.

MENTAL DEMANDS

Experiences frequent interruptions; may be required to shift task and priorities, required to deal with a wide range of student behaviors; required to deal with a wide range of physical and 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 students weighing up to fifty (50), move and position students and equipment; playground supervision and bus loading requires working outdoors in inclement weather; 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 and cleaning or disinfecting compounds; required to work in non-routine positions for extended periods.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Education, training, skills, and experience necessary to carry out the assignment, with experience working with preschool students and special needs students preferred.

Allowable Substitutions

Not applicable.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated skill in reading, writing and communicating.

Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner.

Ability to remain flexible to changes in assignments.

Knowledge of physical disabilities and behavior disorders.

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 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. Hepatitis-B immunization is offered. Required to obtain first-aid/CPR certification. Must complete Right Response Training within 3-5 months of hire. Renewal of Right Response certification must be completed annually prior to expiration date.

PSE UNIT AFFILIATION

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

WAGES AND BENEFITS Click here to access details on the following:

• 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.

Need Help?

We're here to help! For questions regarding position qualifications or application procedures, please contact Bethel School District 403 directly.

For technical questions regarding the Applicant Tracking system, please contact the Applicant Tracking help desk using the Request Technical Help link below.