Paraeducator - SPED / Developmentally Responsive Kindergarten (DRK)

Bethel School District; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Bethel School District seeks a dedicated Paraeducator to assist certificated staff in an integrated Kindergarten classroom, focusing on students with disabilities. You will work with individuals or small groups, support basic life skills, and supervise student behavior in a caring, structured setting.

Position requires meeting state paraeducator requirements, including age, education, and any approved credential programs.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must have high school diploma or equivalent and meet one of several state requirements for paraeducators.
• Completion of required paraeducator certifications or higher education credits as listed by state program and training.

Responsibilities

• Instructs students with disabilities individually or in small groups.
• Communicates progress to certificated staff and adjusts methods.
• Maintains records for student progress and assessments.
• Attends to student safety and monitors for medical risks.
• Assists with toileting and personal hygiene.
• Assists with feeding and social skills during meals.
• Develops basic living and pre-vocational skills with students.
• Promotes interaction with age-group peers and family communication.
• Provides physical assistance and uses adaptive equipment as directed.

Skills

Patience

Small group instruction

Student support

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Paraeducator training / program

AA degree or higher

Job description

$25.40

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.
  

PAY FOR POSITION: 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 ETS Para Pro 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 of The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program

Para testing information.

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

General Summary

This position's responsibilities are to assist certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for students with disabilities in an integrated Kindergarten classroom, and including instructing students individually or in small groups, assisting students with basic life skills, and supervising student behavior activities.

Essential Functions

Depending upon individual assignment, the Paraeducator - Special Education/ Developmentally Responsive Kindergarten may perform all or a combination of several of the following duties:

• Instructs students with a range of disabilities 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.

• 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.

• Assists certificated staff in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments and other records for assessment of

student progress.

• 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.

• 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.

• Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery; helps feed students and teaches social aspects of

eating with others.

• 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.

• Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff and parents for student progress and

safety, and community relations.

• 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.

• Monitors need for first aid for students and refers for treatment as appropriate.
• 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.

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.
• Maintains physical appearance of classroom and other assigned areas;