Substitute Special Services Paraeducator

Kennewick School District; Kennewick (WA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Kennewick School District is seeking a Substitute Special Services Paraeducator to assist Life Skills, Autism, Tier II Behavior, and 1-1 students across multiple locations. The role involves direct instructional support, data collection, and health-related tasks under the supervision of the classroom teacher.

The position is part-time with variable hours and district-wide coverage. Candidates should demonstrate patience, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to diverse student needs and settings,

Qualifications

• Must be able to work Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at various locations as needed.
• Must uphold district policies and procedures and protect student welfare.
• Must pass a background check and complete required training (Safe Schools, CPI).
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff and parents, both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to Life Skills, Autism, Tier II Behavior and 1-1 students under teacher supervision.
• Record data and assist with documentation to monitor student progress.
• Assist with health-related tasks and daily classroom routines as assigned.
• Supervise students during recess and transitions, ensuring a safe learning environment.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

English proficiency

Documentation

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Substitute Special Services Paraeducator

Kennewick District Wide - Kennewick, Washington Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5851567

Application Deadline: May 31, 2027 10:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)

Posted: Jul 24, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Special Services Substitute Paraeducator
Location: Variable/District-Wide
Hours: Variable/As Assigned
Rate: $19.16 per Hour

This position will involve working as a substitute/on-call paraeducator supervising students who have special needs. The person in this position will work with disabled students who have significant physical disabilities in the Life Skills, Autism and Tier II Behavior classroom settings and during additional school settings. This position will also act as a substitute 1-1 paraeducator when needed. The paraeducator will work as a team with the special education teacher, other paraeducators, and specialists. Duties will include carrying out educational instruction, diapering, feeding or tube feeding, lifting and positioning the student. The paraeducator may be required to administer medication and/or catheterize student(s) with training. The paraeducator will be involved in keeping documentation to help monitor the student’s progress. The paraeducator will perform all duties of the position within the scope of Kennewick School District policies and procedures. Other job-related duties will be performed as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Official transcripts of all levels of education, including high school, required within 30 days of hire.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Positive recommendations/references from previous supervisors. Family and friends will not be considered acceptable references.
• Must be able to meet the Physical Demands of the position.
• Completion of Safe Schools Web Based Training within 30 days of hire and yearly thereafter.
• Must pass a background check, which includes employee paid fingerprinting.
• CPI training must be obtained at the next available opportunity.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Must be able and available to work Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at various locations as needed.
• Must uphold board policies and follow administrative procedures.
• Must take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Must attend in-service trainings or other meetings as required, as well as attend any training as directed by management.
• Evidence of ability to assess and correct issues involving safety.
• Evidence of ability to establish and maintain a tactful, cooperative and effective relationship with students, parents, staff, fellow employees and management.
• Evidence of ability to approach assigned work in a professional manner, working toward the common goal of teamwork, pride in service delivery and continuous improvement.
• Must demonstrate sufficient command of the English language to communicate verbally and in writing with students, parents, district staff members and other concerned people regarding all aspects of their job related activities.
• Must be able to use basic computer programs to maintain records, enter timecard information and read and respond to email.
• Must be first-aid certified or be willing to acquire first aid training as soon as possible.

QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED

• Ability and willingness to safely supervise students’ duration transition periods.
• Training and experience in working with students in a life skills classroom.
• Able to recognize, manage, and implement behavior intervention strategies when appropriate.
• Able to maintain documentation of ongoing student behavioral data, and be able to report back to the IEP team.
• Ability to run quickly after students with elopement issues and be able to visually track individual student movement.
• Able and willing to feed and diaper children who are motoric and require assistance in the bathroom setting.
• Able to carry out prescribed instructional and behavioral management program.
• Able to model appropriate behaviors and to provide consistent behavior intervention procedures with student.
• Physically able to lift students as needed (50 lbs.) or up to 100 lbs. with assistance.
• Evidence of skill with Microsoft Office software.
• Evidence of patience and warmth in working with student and able to remain calm in crisis.
• Ability to be flexible and take direction; must be able to work independently.
• Ability to work successfully in team situations.
• Previous experience and training working with students with moderate to severe disabilities.
• Able to carry out prescribed instructional and behavioral management program.
• Able to remain calm in crisis situations.
• Able to supervise and interact with students in P.E. and recess situations.
• Able and willing to work in a team setting.
• Positive evaluations and recommendations that support character and work ethic.
• Excellent attendance, punctuality, and dependability; evidence of ability to be self-disciplined and a self-starter.
• Demonstrate patience, enthusiasm and a positive attitude toward working with students with disabling conditions.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with parents and staff (when directed by supervisor.).
• The candidate must demonstrate the ability to:
  • Cope with unpredictability.
  • Be flexible, diplomatic and cooperative.
  • Maintain composure in difficult situations.
  • Value and maintain confidential student information.
  • Maintain proper channels of communication.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct support to Life Skills, Autism, Tier II Behavior and 1-1 students under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher(s), using prescribed formats.
• Correctly follow specific directions from the teacher by the implementation of data collection, classroom rules (i.e. student and adult), classroom set-up and/or specific student directives.
• Take appropriate and thorough data on correct forms as directed or assigned by teacher(s); complete required paperwork with accuracy and efficiency to maintain compliance with state and school district regulations.
• Provide support for physical/health needs of student(s) as required. This could include, but is not limited to toileting, wheelchair transfers, etc. Training will be provided by nurses and motor therapists, as necessary.
• Assist teachers with needed clerical or instructional tasks, including making copies of worksheets, flashcards, and creating specialized materials.
• Assist in supervision and control of students in order to promote a safe, orderly, positive learning climate.
• Supervise student(s) during recess times within the school day; play and interact with assigned student(s), including being in close proximity and role‑modeling.
• Assist specialists (P.E., Music, Library, Technology) in supervision of assigned student(s) as required.
• Perform all duties of the position within the scope of Kennewick School District policies and procedures, including regular attendance and punctuality
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time, push or pull up to 50 lbs., sit, kneel and crouch, twist and bend, use hands to type, finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arm. The employee may be required to physically move quickly in an emergency or while performing student supervision duties.
• Sense: The employee is required to talk/hear conversations and other sounds. The employee must be able to communicate effectively in person and over the telephone. The employee is required to taste and smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, far vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Lifting: The employee must be able to lift or move up to 50 lbs. and up to 100 lbs. with help; must also be able to lift overhead.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Physical Hazards: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work outdoors in a wide variety of temperatures; from -10 degrees F to 100 degrees F +. The employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in this work environment is moderate.

Kennewick School District's Non-Discrimination Policy

The Kennewick School District provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or use of trained dog, guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights & Equity: Thomas Brillhart - [phone] ([e-mail])

Section 504, Title IX: BJ Wilson - [phone] ([e-mail])

This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in all education programs and/or extra-curricular school activities in the Kennewick School District.

Applicants

Inquiries regarding compliance procedures or requests for reasonable accommodation may be directed to the School District’s Director of Human Resources.

Contact Information

Toni Neidhold, Director of Human Resources

[phone]

[e-mail]

Certified/Classified ADA

Kennewick School District

1000 West 4 th Avenue

Kennewick, WA 99336

Position Type: Part-Time

Salary: $19.16 Per Hour