JOB SUMMARY

At the direction and under the supervision of the classroom teacher, special education teacher/specialist, or building/program administrators, this position is responsible for providing a continuum of support and supervision to typically developing students and students with special needs at all grade levels by delivering targeted and specialized instruction, monitoring and managing student behavior, assisting with student self-care and physical needs, promoting positive social skills and emotional well-being, communicating in person and via radio, maintaining accurate records, and assisting with maintaining an orderly classroom environment conducive to learning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Under the direction of the classroom teacher, special education or related-service provider, or building administrator, works collaboratively as a team member to implement curriculum, assess student learning and growth, manage student behavior, and promote the social and emotional well-being of students.

2. Work with students with a wide range of physical, mental, social, and behavioral disabilities, including students with mild academic difficulties to students who are severely intellectually impaired; students with mild physical disabilities to students who are unable to perform basic self-care; students who are withdrawn to students who are acting out.

3. Meets daily with individual students or groups of students at any grade level, depending on the assignment, to develop academic, emotional, social, or life skills following the teacher's or behavior specialist's prescribed instructional plan.

4. Assists students with common daily tasks such as eating, dressing, and toileting, including diapering. May provide health services to include assisting with walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and crutches.

5. May teach independent living skills such as cooking, laundry, general personal hygiene, and cleanliness.

6. Provides frequent positive reinforcement and encouragement of student effort and interest in school achievement; helps students develop personal responsibility to self and schoolwork; promotes self-esteem and confidence.

7. Develop learning/reinforcement activities for students. May prepare individual student calendars with daily assignments and record student progress on these tasks.

8. Implements behavior support and intervention plans with fidelity as directed by a teacher or behavior specialist. Documents students' behavior to assist the teacher in assessing progress with education plans.

9. De-escalate students per district protocol and procedures; acts or assist in acting according to state and local law to manage students who are at risk of harming themselves or others.

10. Communicate the results of learning activities that take place with students to the supervising teacher or administrator.

11. Learns to use curriculum and manipulative materials, including educational hardware, effectively.

12. Applies knowledge of personal computers and use of standard application software such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, and other computer tasks.

13. Performs clerical tasks such as cataloging, sorting, filing, typing, keeping work areas organized and conducive to learning, data input, and related activities as requested by the teacher or administrator.

14. Assists in administering, correcting, scoring, and recording program-related assessment tests.

15. Participates in professional development activities as required or when requested.

16. Maintains confidentiality regarding students, staff, and issues sensitive to the building

17. Duties: Lunch, Playground, Bus drop off/pick up, Crosswalk.

18. Performs other related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope of the job.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the classroom teacher, special education or related-service provider, or administrator

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

The physical demands and work environment described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The employee must lift or move 25 to 50 pounds and may assist, move, or restrain students with greater weight when required to intervene in student safety issues.
The employee must frequently sit, talk, lift, carry, move about, hear, and speak.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee occasionally works outside and is occasionally exposed to cold, wet, or humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals.
Employees may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, or other potentially infectious materials during their duties.
The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases and student noise.
The employee may be exposed to aggressive student behaviors, including biting, hitting, kicking, and throwing of objects.
The employee may be required to wear and utilize safety equipment designed to minimize the risk of injury to the employee and the student, and to carry a District-provided radio to communicate with teachers or administrators.
The employee may be required to travel on school-owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students.
The employee may work in an environment with electronically controlled exits and entrances requiring manual dexterity to use electronic key fobs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Education and Experience

A combination of training and experience qualifies a candidate for knowledge and skill requirements. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skills is as follows:

Experience:

One year of paid or volunteer experience working with multi-age groups of children.

Education:

Equivalent to completing the twelfth grade, supplemented by training or coursework in child growth and development, instructional technology, or a closely related field.

Special Requirements

Candidates must meet the requirements set forth in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) by satisfying one of the following criteria:

Hold an AA or higher degree from a college or university.
Completing at least two years of college or university with 72 accrued credits.
Passing grade on the OSPI-approved test.
Completion of an approved apprenticeship program

Candidates must also meet the following requirements:

First Aid, CPR, and AED certification
Completion of all state-required paraeducator certifications.
Fingerprinting and clearance for employment by the Washington State Patrol and FBI.
Successful Sexual Misconduct screening clearance.
I-9 employment eligibility in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
HIV/HBV training (obtain within 60 days of hire date – District provided)
Completion of Right Response (or other district-approved de-escalation) training within the first 90 days of employment.
All other state or district-mandated training.

Knowledge. Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of child growth and development concepts of students in grades preschool through age 21, including students with special learning and English language needs.
Knowledge of student behavior management strategies and techniques, such as PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports), Right Response (or other district-approved de-escalation training), and Trauma-Informed Practices.
Knowledge of assigned subject areas, i.e., English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and basic math.
Knowledge of routine record management, storage, and retrieval systems and procedures.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to learn and use effective instructional methods designed for special needs students and to follow student learning plans with fidelity.
Ability to deal with students in a warm and confident manner and effectively guide and manage student behavior.
Ability to follow instructions and work independently.
Ability to learn the operation of general office machines, personal computers, and application software relevant to the position.
Ability to establish and maintain accurate records.
Ability to provide students with positive motivation.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and students.
Ability and willingness to perform all the physical requirements of the position.
Willingness to be flexible in performing all duties and responsibilities of the position depending on need and the assignment.

Substitute Special Education Paraeducator