Para Educator Special Education

BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS JOB DESCRIPTION

PARAEDUCATOR C
Life Skills, Bridges (EBD), Community Transitions and AIMS (Access

in the Mainstream Setting)
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AFFILIATION SALARY LEVEL CLASSIFICATION FLSA
BASE Level C Paraeducator C Covered

JOB SUMMARY
Positions in this category assist in creating and maintaining an effective climate for student learning. Incumbents provide specific support for assigned students with disabilities and provide these students with motivational support and reinforcement of student efforts and achievements. Incumbents work closely with certificated staff as part of a program or classroom team.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary in consultation with the employee(s) involved.

1. Provide a variety of individual or small group activities to implement student academic, social, physical, behavioral, and/or safety learning objectives as directed by certificated staff; Work collaboratively with certificated staff as part of a professional team; May provide direct instruction to students, including testing of students, correcting papers, and supervising student work.

2. Perform a variety of support functions that may include preparation of appropriate learning materials and activities; specific feedback on student achievements, difficulties, behaviors, and progress on Individualized Education
Plan (IEP) goals and objectives; and/or specific behavioral data to support the development and implementation of individual Positive Behavior Intervention
Plans; May perform clerical and record-keeping tasks as directed by program staff; May monitor student medication as directed by certificated or nursing staff.

3. Support students in adjusting to a variety of school settings and establish appropriate routines and standards of conduct; support with and perform tasks related to appropriate student health and personal hygiene needs; Assist with and implement technology-based programs and communication; May be required to implement therapy plans developed by OT, PT and SLP staff. Under the guidance, supervision and training, licensed healthcare staff may be trained and required to perform health related duties such as but not limited to: tube feeding, clean catheters as allowed under Washington state law.

4. Maintain active supervision of assigned students in self-contained classrooms for specialized programs such as Life Skills (severe and profound), Bridges
(emotional/behavioral), and Community Transitions (18-21 year olds), General

Education and other in-school classrooms, community and workplace sites, and other specialized times and settings; May escort students to classrooms,

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restrooms, cafeteria, administrative offices, bus loading areas, community sites, or vocational sites; May lift, transfer, and/or transport students as directed and when appropriate.

5. Manage students in crisis by using de-escalation techniques outlined in school district training; Assist in identifying and reporting specific triggers that lead to emergence or escalation of a student’s behavioral actions and special needs; May implement a written behavior management plan designed by certificated staff;
Report serious violations of school policies and codes to certificated and administrative staff. May be required to restrain students in compliance with district and Right Response guidelines.

6. Attend and participate in required meetings and case conferences as requested by certificated staff; Maintain communication with all certificated staff providing instruction and special services to assigned students with disabilities; Work closely with IEP staff to ensure continuity of program; Participate in professional in-service training programs that the supervisor deems necessary for this assignment.

7. Perform related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and supporting student learning objectives consistent with the job description.

8. Ability to demonstrate evidence of regular job attendance and punctuality;
Comply with Administrative Policies and Procedures.

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REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Reports to the Principal or designee

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WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is regularly performed in conditions that expose employees to students’ personal hygiene habits, blood-borne pathogens, and infectious diseases.
Employees have frequent exposure to school security issues, emotionally charged situations, and the risk of physical assault. Employees may have to restrain, lift and/or transport students that weigh more than 50 pounds.

The While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions in a controlled space with art lighting and some natural lighting. The employee may be required to go outside for recess, crossing guard duty or meeting buses. The employee regularly works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally loud. The employee must adjust to frequent interruptions in their work schedule. Paraeducators must be willing and able to work in locations and assignments across the district. Locations and assignments will vary.

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:

• High School completion or equivalent; and
• Two (2) years of post-secondary preparation or an Associate’s Degree;
• 72 college quarter or 48 college semester credits (100 level or above); or
• Successful completion of the ETS ParaPro Assessment test.

Experience:

Specialized training in subject matter related to working with students with severe disabilities, multiple disabilities, autism, communication disorders, severe behavioral concerns, and/or health issues that interfere with student learning.

Allowable Substitution

Equivalent work experience can substitute on a month-for-month basis if the experience is directly related to the job responsibilities of the specific assignment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of child development; Knowledge of range of issues related to working with children with a variety of disabilities; Knowledge of the elements of effective instruction to support teaching and learning; Ability to interact with children in a patient, warm and confident manner; Ability to independently implement instructional or therapeutic programs developed by certificated staff; ability to work effectively as a member of a professional team; ability to exercise independent judgment, remain flexible, and work effectively under pressure; ability to de-escalate volatile situations; Ability to support physical management of students in crisis according to school district training and procedures; Ability to explain student needs to Special Education and General Education staff; Ability to perform instructional clerical tasks, keep student records, and prepare reports using computerized systems; Ability to maintain confidential information; Ability to work with students and families of varied backgrounds to assist students with a wide range of skills and behaviors; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, administrators, and the public.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Right Response training is required of applicants or completion upon hire.
Employees must have reliable transportation and a valid Washington State Driver’s
License.

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CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

Job description updated and consolidated by Lurie Workplace Solutions 1/2013.
Updated 2/2014; updated 5/2016 with AIMS position; 3/2018, 1/2020.

Paraeducator C includes:

• Para Sped Life Skills
• Para Sped Community Transitions
• Para Bridges (EBD)
• Para AIMS

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Job Type: Temporary

Pay: From $24.34 per hour

Physical setting:

• Public school
• Special education school

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bellingham, WA 98225: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Special education: 1 year (Preferred)
• Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24