Paraeducator - SPED / Developmentally Responsive Kindergarten (DRK)

Bethel School District; Spanaway (WA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bethel School District seeks a dedicated paraeducator to assist certificated staff in an inclusive kindergarten classroom. You will support students with disabilities through small-group instruction, reinforce life skills, and help manage daily activities to ensure a safe, productive learning environment.

Responsibilities include documenting progress, communicating with staff and parents, and following district procedures.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent and state paraeducator requirements.
• Must be 18 years or older and meet federal employment requirements.
• Ability to work with students with disabilities in an integrated kindergarten setting.

Responsibilities

• Support certificated staff with instructional activities for students with disabilities.
• Assist students individually or in small groups to meet educational goals.
• Monitor student safety and behavior according to school policies.
• Assist with basic life skills and personal hygiene tasks.
• Maintain classroom materials, records and documentation for progress.
• Communicate with staff and parents about student progress.

Skills

Reading & writing

Communication

Flexibility

Patience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

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 (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.

• 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 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; maintains, assembles and stores therapeutic and other equipment as assigned; maintains supplies as assigned.
• 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 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 lift five (5) to ten(10) pounds; 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.

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 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. Willing to be trained in a variety of medical procedures if necessary, such as, administration of medication, tube feeding, etc.

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. 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.

PSE UNIT AFFILIATION

Paraeducator/Special Services

CONDITIONS

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

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.

El Distrito Escolar de Bethel no discrimina en sus programas ni actividades por motivos de sexo, raza, etnia, color, religión, credo, nacionalidad, orientacion sexual, expresion o identidad de genero, falta de hogar, estatus migratorio o de ciudadania, discapacidad, neurodiversidad, uso de perro guia entrenado o animal de servicio, edad, condicion de veterano o militar con baja honorable. Asimismo, ofrece igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos juveniles especificados. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para atender consultas y quejas de supuesta discriminacion: Cumplimiento de los Derechos Civiles/Coordinadora Escolar de Inclusion de Genero, Darius Alexander, [e-mail], 253.800.2019; Coordinador del Titulo IX, Mel Boyd, [e-mail], 253.800.2029; y Coordinadora 504, Melissa Munson‑Merritt, [e-mail], 253.800.2301. Todas las personas pueden ser localizadas en esta direccion 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. Las consultas sobre el Titulo IX tambien pueden dirigirse a la Oficina de Derechos Civiles (OCR) del Departamento de Educacion de los Estados Unidos. Para mas informacion sobre las politicas de no discriminacion y discriminacion por razon de sexo, los procedimientos de reclamacion, y sobre como comunicar una preocupacion o queja visite: www.bethelsd.org.