Paraeducator - Transitional Kindergarten

Applitrack; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Bethel School District 403 is hiring a Paraeducator for Transitional Kindergarten. The role supports instruction for 3–5 year olds, including ECEAP/SPED programs, in an inclusive classroom.

Position offers 7 hours per day, 178 days per year, with PSE Salary Schedule Level 5 - $25.40 per hour. Training in Right Response and state paraeducator standards is required.

Qualifications

• One-year experience in an early childhood setting preferred.
• Current CDA or ECE certificate required, or AA/BA/MA with 12 ECE credits or CDA.
• Ability to read, write, communicate; maintain confidentiality; follow instructions.

Responsibilities

• Instruct students individually or in small groups; include family-style meals.
• Monitor and correct student behavior; enforce safety rules.
• Maintain records, attendance, and meal counts; support instructional staff.
• Assist with meals, supervision during activities, and field trips.
• May prepare materials and help with home visits as needed.

Skills

Reading/writing

Communication

Behavior management

Instructional techniques

Confidentiality

Education

CDA

ECE certificate

AA/BA/MA + 12 ECE credits

AA/BA/MA + CDA

Job description

Frontline Applicant Tracking - Bethel School District 403

Paraeducator - Transitional Kindergarten JobID: 14724

• Date Posted: 9/25/2026
• Location: THOMPSON ELEM (High-Needs School)
• Closing Date: 10/01/2026

POSITION HOURS AND PAY: This position is for 7hours 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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT Provide direct, specially designed instruction to 3 � 5 year old students with/without special needs. Collaborate with the ECEAP Special Education Teaching team. Will provide instruction for Transitional Kindergarten/ECEAP/SPED/Pay To Go/Head Start students in an inclusive classroom.

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 anyquestions.

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 orPearson 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

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 MMR Vaccine and passing TB (tuberculosis) test PRIOR to official hire! MMR Vaccination required.

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

JOB DESCRIPTION: This position's responsibilities are to assist the instructor with a variety of activities for students, including meal preparation and cleanup, instructing students individually or in small groups, monitoring and correcting student behavior, and supervising student activities on the playground, gym and at off-site activities.

Job Summary:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Depending upon the individual assignment, the Paraeducator - ECEAP may perform all or a combination of several of the following:

1. Instructs students individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities, including family style meals to promote understanding of materials presented. Provides encouragement, reinforcement and achievement of educational objectives and goals as established by instructor. Assists with the administration of objective screening or other measurements.

2. Communicates with instructor concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet the needs of a wide variety of students; consults with instructor concerning remediation or enrichment activities. Assists professional staff in implementing a targeted program.

3. Assists instructor in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments and other records for assessment of student progress.

4. Supervises student behavior in classrooms, playground, at lunch and snack, at bus boarding areas, on field trips, in the washroom and at other sites as assigned to promote safe and appropriate student behavior. Corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures. Instruct students in behavioral rules and codes for student safety, socialization and individual growth.

5. Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery.

6. Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff and parents for student progress and safety, and community relations. Assists in scheduling parent visits to classroom and student home visits by instructor. Assists with directing parent and student volunteers in the classroom, on field trips, and other program activities.

7. May provide assistance to special needs students, such as lifting and positioning or assistance with personal hygiene.

8. Performs food setup, preparation, warming, service and general cleanup. Washes dishes and laundry and disinfects tables. May prepare specialized food.

9. May conduct or accompany instructor to visit students in their home settings. Records or assists in recording documentation of the visit and observations.

10. Monitors need for first aid for injured or ill students and refers for treatment as appropriate.

11. Participates in a variety of meetings and training sessions.

12. Assists in maintaining records, attendance, meal count, budget changes to meet local and ESD program requirements.

13. Maintains daily documentation log of students' transportation information according to program requirements.

14. Works as a member of the program instructional team staffing to develop and implement programs and services to eligible children and families.

15. May have flexible hours to allow employee to participate in family and community activities related to the program.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

16. Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.

17. Locates, prepares, and/or modifies materials for student use, enrichment activities and special projects under the direction of assigned instructor.

18. Prepares, duplicates, collates and distributes material; operates a variety of office equipment.

19. Maintains physical appearance of classroom and other assigned areas; maintains, assembles and stores playground equipment as assigned; maintains supplies as assigned.

20. Provides backup, in the classroom as assigned; answers telephone; files materials.

21. 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.

22. Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the Director of Special Services. Receives guidance from assigned 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. May be required to shift tasks and priorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students; exposed to student noise levels; may be required to occasionally lift and position students; may need to take precautions to avoid exposure to student bodily fluids and cleaning or disinfecting compounds; required to stand for prolonged periods; playground and bus supervision requires working outdoors in inclement weather; may occasionally be required to visit student homes; cooking and food preparation in the presence of students requires high safety awareness; required to work in non-routine positions such as crouching or bending for extended periods; may occasionally be exposed to visual display terminal for prolonged periods.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Education, training, skills, and experience necessary to carry out the assignment, with one-year experience in an early childhood setting preferred. Applicants must have current CDA; or Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate that meets or exceeds CDA requirements; or AA/BA/MA in any field plus 12 ECE credits; or AA/BA/MA in any field plus CDA.

Allowable Substitutions

A high school diploma or GED; one-year experience in an early childhood setting preferred.

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. Ability to organize activities. Ability to follow and give instructions. Ability to be fair and consistent when working with students. Ability to maintain confidentiality. 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, parents and staff. Ability to maintain accurate records. Ability to fill in for instructor as needed in case of absence.

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. Required to obtain first aid and CPR certification and Washington State food handlers' permit. Proof of passing TB test. Hepatitis-B immunization is offered. Proof of MMR Vaccine.

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.

Postings current as of 9/27/2026 5:31:59 AM CST.

Need Help?

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