Special Education Para Educator 3 - 2026-27 Ardmore Elementary School

ARDMORE ELEMENTARY; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Ardmore Elementary School seeks a Special Education Para Educator III to support students with diverse learning needs. You will collaborate with certificated staff to deliver instructional support, assist with IEP implementation, and ensure safety and well-being in the classroom and broader school setting.

The role emphasizes direct academic and functional instruction, advocacy within least restrictive environments, and collaboration with the team to foster student independence and progress.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One of: ETS Paraeducator Assessment; Associate of Arts; 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits; registered apprenticeship program; foreign degrees evaluated by a NACES member.
• Experience working with students with diverse needs is preferred.
• Knowledge of IEP implementation and behavior support is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assist with physical, health and safety needs of students.
• Provide social, emotional, behavioral, and educational support.
• Implement components of IEPs as required.
• Provide direct academic, functional and instructional support.
• Advocate for students in their least restrictive environment.
• Support students with emotional regulation challenges.
• Respond to student medical needs within scope of position.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Confidentiality

De-escalation

Multicultural awareness

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Special Education Para Educator 3 - 2026-27 Ardmore Elementary School

Bellevue School District ARDMORE ELEMENTARY - Bellevue, Washington Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5944468

Application Deadline: Oct 06, 2026 11:59 PM (Pacific Standard Time)

Posted: Sep 29, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE: The position of Para Educator III is done for the purpose of assisting and supporting students as identified with individual learning needs for maximizing student success.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY: The Bellevue School District is committed to a diverse workforce representative of our students, one that embraces and models cultural competency as an international community.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides for the physical, health and safety needs of students.
• Provides social, emotional, behavioral, and educational support for students with significant disabilities.
• Implements components of Individual Education Programs (IEP's) as required.
• Provides direct academic, functional, vocational and specifically designed instruction.
• Serves as advocate and support of students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment.
• Supports students with significant emotional regulation challenges.
• Ensures the safety of students and staff when dealing with escalated behavior based upon needs of students.
• Encourages and fosters student independence in all settings.
• Collects other data as directed by the case manager/teacher.
• Responds to student medical needs within the scope of the position.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports directly to and is supervised by building administrator, receives direction from assigned certificated staff.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required:

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• And have at least one of the following:
• ETS Paraeducator Assessment, or
• Have an Associate of Arts degree (original transcripts), or
• Have earned 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an institution of higher education (original transcripts), or
• Have completed a registered apprenticeship program (certificate);
• Foreign degrees accepted if evaluated by a NACES member company.

Preferred

• Experience working with students in self-contained learning settings
• Experience working individually with students with diverse aptitudes and levels of achievement.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training
• Right Response Training
• Experience working individually with students with diverse aptitudes and levels of achievement and/or with behaviorally disabled students.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

• Washington State Driver’s License Type II may be required for some assignments.
• First AID/CPR certification required.

KNOWLEDGE

• Understands the basics of child development and the behavior of children
• Knowledgeable of reading, writing and arithmetic
• Understands safety procedures for students and staff
• Understands behavior modification programs, including restraint techniques
• Utilizes adaptive technology and equipment to meet student needs
• Demonstrates non-violent crisis intervention techniques, including de-escalation strategies
• Utilizes basic therapy techniques and procedures
• Knowledgeable of functional life skills/activities of daily living

SKILLS

• Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills
• Work with students in a warm and confident manner
• Demonstrates the ability to work effectively as member of a team
• Possesses ability to follow oral and written directions
• Demonstrates ability to model and monitor appropriate student behavior
• Maintains confidentiality and respect between students, parents and teachers
• Maintains positive relationships with students, staff, parents and the public
• Able to perform all physical activities and meet all physical requirements indicated above
• Able to perform activities of daily living including feeding and toileting by various means
• Able to provide appropriate care for students who experience seizures
• Able to provide proper physical restraint of students with severe behavior that poses a danger to themselves or others
• Demonstrates multicultural sensitivity with the ability to effectively and collaboratively work with diverse populations
• Ability to perform all duties in accordance with all applicable Board policies and district and legal requirements
• Ability to meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects. Employee may be subject to testing to determine ability to meet the lifting requirements.

Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, chemicals, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.

Employee may be subject to determination of fitness to perform the essential duties of the position.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The location of the position may change during the school year. This position will require mandatory continuing professional education per state requirements.

AISP pay range P3 $ 29.51/hour to $ 31.41/hour (starting hourly rate $ 29.51) based on negotiated collective bargaining agreement, 32hours/week and a 192-day annual assignment (Mon, Tues, Th, and Fri: 7:30m to 2:45pm; Weds: 7:30am- 12:30pm).Medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life-insurance eligibility is based upon 630 hours worked within a school year. Retirement provided through Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.

NOTE

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities for this position. Specific duties and position assignments may vary depending on the operational needs of the department.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator

Title IX Compliance Coordinator

Gender-Inclusive Schools Compliance Coordinator

Name: Nancy Pham, Director of Compliance and Legal Affairs

Address: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005

Telephone Number: 425-456-4248

Email: [e-mail]

Section 504/ADA Coordinator

Name: Kerince Bowen, Director of Counseling

Address: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005

Telephone Number: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Members of the public with disabilities who have specific concerns about the effectiveness of the District’s communications to them should contact Janine Thorn, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer, at 425-456-4000 or [e-mail].

Position Type: Various

Contact Information

• Human Resources Department
• 12111 NE 1st St
• Bellevue, Washington 98005-3183
• Phone: [phone]
• Fax: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

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