Paraprofessional Behavior Support Bester Elementary School Grant Funded

Washington County public Schools; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 26,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington County Public Schools seeks a Paraprofessional Behavior Support at Bester Elementary School. The position supports students with emotional disturbance in a learning environment, under a grant-funded plan, with a 7-hour day over a 10-month year and a starting hourly rate of $19.26.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and CPI certification, plus the ability to assist with crises, de-escalation, and student supervision.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Highly Qualified status: AA degree, 48 credit hours, or Paraprofessional Assessment Test.
• Ability to work with emotionally disturbed/behavioral students and handle stress.

Responsibilities

• Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce skills.
• Assist with crisis de-escalation and, if needed, physical restraints.
• Support teacher with classroom organization and behavior management.
• Maintain certifications and participate in crisis response planning.

Skills

CPI Certification

Communication skills

Crisis management

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Paraprofessional Assessment Test

Job description

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Frontline Applicant Tracking - Washington County Public Schools

Paraprofessional Behavior Support Bester Elementary School Grant Funded JobID: 15221

• Date Posted: 10/14/2026
• Location: Bester Elementary School
• Closing Date: 10/21/2026

Paraprofessional Behavior Support Grant Funded

Bester Elementary School

Grade 6 Step 1 with a starting hourly rate of $19.26. Potential future earnings for this position on the ESP Salary Scale are $19.26 - $34.84. Additional steps will only be considered for PreK-12 teaching experience under state-issued professional licensure. This position qualifies for a program differential valued at ten percent (10%) of the step one (1) value of the position's grade in addition to their current hourly rate.

7 Hours/Per Day, 10-Month Work Year

Employee Benefits Summary

• To assist the teacher by working with individual students or small groups.
• To provide behavior andemotional support to students who are participating in the learning support classroom andparticipating in the general education classes.
• To help students achieve individual student objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Highly Qualified status (A.A. Degree, 48 credit hours, or have successfully passed the Paraprofessional Assessment Test).
• Two (2) years' experience working with children with emotional disturbance/behavioral issues or combina�tion of education and experience totaling two years.
• Ability to handle stressful situations by remaining calm and professional while working with students who are verbally and physically aggressive.
• Ability to lift between 30-50 pounds in specified situations.
• Ability to participate in physical restraint maneuvers when needed.
• Regular and predictable attendance which is an essential function of this position.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Competency with fundamental reading, writing, arithmetic & communication skills.
• Ability to understand and follow directions.
• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Verbal and Physical Certification.
• Ability to work harmoniously with children, staff and community.
• Training and experience working with population relevant to the assigned school.
• Training and experience applying behavior modification strategies with students.

Role Responsibilities

• Work with individual students and small groups of students to reinforce skills introduced by the teacher(s).
• Assist students in generalizing learned social skills and problem solving skills in the general education environment.
• Participate as part of a crisis response team which includes engaging in verbal de-escalation of students and physical restraint in emergency situations.
• Maintain Crisis Prevention Intervention certification.
• Assist the teacher(s) in devising special strategies for reinforcing skills and instruction.
• Assist the teacher(s) in maintaining classroom organization and a positive learning environment.
• Operate and assist with the care of the classroom equipment.
• Assist with supervision and management of students during instructional and non-instructional activities.
• Assist with physical care and physical management of students as needed and appropriate.
• Follow through to carry out individual programs designed by the teacher.
• Participate in and/or provides input for team planning functions as appropriate.
• Demonstrate courteous and professional demeanor to all stakeholders of Washington County Public Schools.
• Other duties as assigned.

Environmental Factors and Physical/Mental Requirements

• The Environmental Factors and Physical/Mental demands represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Required periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to sufficiently and efficiently move throughout the building and grounds for extended periods.
• Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with others as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, and hear.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Ability to move, raise, lower, and carry objects up to 20 lbs. on an irregular basis.
• Must be able to bend, crouch, stoop, reach, and climb.
• Will be subjected to loud noises, interactions, and traffic flow associated within a highly populated office environment.

Postings current as of 10/16/2026 8:02:22 AM CST.

Note: Only currently contracted WCPS teachers may apply for internal teaching vacancies. Any applicant who is not a currently contracted teacher with WCPS must apply for teaching positions as an external applicant for external vacancies.

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