Substitute Special Education Paraeducator(s) 2026-27

Bellevue School District; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 39,606 - 43,118; Part time

Job summary

Bellevue School District is looking for Substitute Paraeducators to provide in-person support for students with special education needs. The role involves assisting teachers in implementing Individual Education Programs and meeting the physical and emotional needs of students.

Position requires a high school diploma and a flexible approach in a team environment. Compensation ranges from $28.75 to $31.30 per hour depending on assignment. The position is on-call, with no guaranteed hours.

Qualifications

• Experience and/or training working with special education students is preferred.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion as outlined.
• Experience in child development and behavior.

Responsibilities

• Provides assistance to special education students and support to teachers.
• Implements components of Individual Education Programs (IEPs).
• Advocates for students with disabilities in learning environments.

Skills

Communication

Flexibility

Teamwork

Child Development Knowledge

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Education

High school graduation or equivalent

Job description

Position Objective This position’s responsibilities are to provide a wide variety of in person paraeducator assistance and support to special education students, teachers and specialists in an assigned school, including implementing components of Individual Education Programs (IEPs), in a learning and developing capacity. Positions at this level work under the close supervision of teacher(s) or specialist(s), and perform in a learning and developing capacity.

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, and educational support for students with special needs.
• Provides direct academic, functional, vocational and specifically-designed instruction.
• Serves as advocate and support of students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports directly to supervisor/evaluator.

Education & Experience

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Preference will be given to applicants with experience and/or training working with special education and/or developmentally or behaviorally challenged students.

Knowledge (position Requirements At Entry)

• Child development and behavior.
• Reading, writing and arithmetical.
• Safety procedures for students.
• Basic lifting techniques.

Skills (position Requirements At Entry)

• Required to remain flexible and work under pressure.
• Requires a positive mental attitude when working with special needs students.
• Oral and written communication.
• Ability to work with students in a warm and confident manner.
• Ability to work effectively as member of a team.
• Ability to follow directions.
• Ability to model and monitor appropriate student behavior.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect between students, parents and teachers.
• Ability to maintain positive relationships with students, staff, parents and the public.
• Ability to perform all physical activities and meet all physical requirements indicated in section above.
• Ability to exert all necessary mental effort indicated in section above.
• Ability to perform all duties in accordance with applicable Board policies and District and Legal requirements.
• Ability to meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectations.

Please note: The following list of required skills may vary in their implementation, depending on the specific needs of the students. Training will be provided to Substitute Paraeducators working in Center Programs, as appropriate and needed:

• Transporting special needs students.
• Catheterizations, including clean intermittent catheterization procedures and other similar procedures.
• Nasal and gastrostomy tube feeding.
• Positioning and range of motion exercises.
• Manipulation of chest-wall: clapping, postural drainage, oral suctioning, and administering inhaled medications.
• Seizure care.
• Physical restraint of severely behaviorally disabled students.

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. Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, chemicals, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.

Conditions Of Employment

These are on-call positions. The number of days or hours that a substitute works is dependent upon the number of staff in the position who are absent on any given day. No specific guarantee of work is offered. The rate of pay is $28.75/hour to $31.30/hour depending upon assignment. Substitutes are not eligible for benefits until they work 630h in a certain school year.

Note

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business 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 a criminal history background check (includes fingerprinting); satisfactory outcome of sexual misconduct information from prior school district employers; and approval by the Bellevue School Board.

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, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination: Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, [phone] or [e-mail].

Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment: Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, [phone] or [e-mail].

Disability Discrimination

Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Kerince Bowen, [phone] or [e-mail]

Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.

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].