Paraprofessional Special Education Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten STEP Program - Bester Elementary School

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

Job summary

Washington County Public Schools is seeking a Paraprofessional for the Special Education STEP Program at Bester Elementary School. The role runs 7 hours per day, 10 months per year, with a starting hourly rate of $19.26 and potential increases on the ESP Salary Scale.

Minimum qualifications include a High School Diploma or GED, Highly Qualified status, and two years of relevant experience. Physical requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds and maintaining a supportive classroom environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Highly Qualified status per state requirements (AA degree or 48 credits or Praxis).
• Two years of experience with children or equivalent education/experience.
• Ability to lift 30–50 pounds in specified situations.
• Regular and predictable attendance required.
• Ability to perform essential functions with/without accommodations.

Responsibilities

• Work with individual students and small groups to reinforce skills.
• Assist teacher in devising strategies to reinforce instruction.
• Maintain classroom organization and a positive learning environment.
• Operate and assist with classroom equipment.
• Supervise students during instructional and non-instructional activities.
• Assist with physical care and management of students as needed.
• Contribute to team planning and participate in school activities.
• Demonstrate courteous professional demeanor to all stakeholders.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Assists teacher in planning

Classroom support

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Highly Qualified status: AA degree / 48 credits / Praxis

Job description

Frontline Applicant Tracking - Washington County Public Schools

Paraprofessional Special Education Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten STEP Program - Bester Elementary School JobID: 15225

• Date Posted: 10/16/2026
• Location: Bester Elementary School
• Closing Date: 10/23/2026

Paraprofessional Special Education Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten STEP Program

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/Day, 10-Month Work Year

Employee Benefits Summary

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Highly Qualified status (A.A. Degree, 48 credit hours, or have successfully passed the Paraprofessional Praxis Test).
• Two (2) years' experience working with children or combination of education and experience totaling two years.
• Ability to lift between 30-50 pounds in specified situations.
• 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, and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work harmoniously with staff, students, and community.
• Training and experience working with populations relevant to the assigned school.

Role Responsibilities

• Work with individual students and small groups of students to reinforce skills introduced by the teacher(s).
• Assist the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing skills and instruction.
• Assist the teacher in maintaining classroom organization and a positive learning environment.
• Operate and assists 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 provide input for team planning functions as appropriate.
• Demonstrates 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.

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.

Need Help?

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