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

Bellevue School District; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Bellevue School District is seeking a Para Educator III to assist students with identified learning needs and maximize student success. The role involves direct academic and functional support, implementing IEP components, and ensuring safety after appropriate training.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent, with preferred experience in self-contained settings and with diverse learners.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent.
• ETS Paraeducator Assessment or higher education credits/alternative credentials accepted.
• Experience with students with disabilities preferred.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and IEP components beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide for the physical, health and safety needs of students.
• Support students with disabilities across social, emotional, behavioral, and educational domains.
• Implement IEP components as required.
• Deliver direct academic, functional and vocational instruction.
• Advocate for students in least restrictive environments.
• Support students with severe emotional regulation challenges.
• Respond to student medical needs within scope of position.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Following directions

Confidentiality

Behavior monitoring

Multicultural sensitivity

Punctuality

Education

High school diploma

Paraeducator assessment

AA degree

72 quarter credits

Apprenticeship program

Foreign degree evaluation

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

(These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

• 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.
• Responds to student medical needs within the scope of the position.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Collects other data as directed by the case manager/teacher.

Reporting Relationships

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

Required

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (positions in this class typically require):

• 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 (positions In This Class Typically Require)

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

KNOWLEDGE (position Requirements At Entry)

• 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 (position Requirements At Entry)

• 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.

Verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States must be completed. The District does not currently provide visa sponsorship. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of background checks with prior employers/professional references; satisfactory outcome of background checks with prior employers/professional references; satisfactory outcome of background checks with prior employers/professional references; satisfactory outcome of criminal history background check (includes fingerprinting); satisfactory outcome of sexual misconduct information from prior school district employers; and approval by the Bellevue School Board.

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

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].