FSA Paraeducator

Thank you for your interest in a career with us! The Northshore School District is committed to a diverse workforce that reflects our students and our community, one that embraces and models equity and cultural competency.

JOB SUMMARY

Students participating in the elementary FSA program demonstrate a variety of differing abilities in the areas of cognitive skills, academics, social/emotional skills, adaptive/selfhelp skills, behavior/sensory regulation, communication, fine/gross motor, and/or vision. Students are not defined by what they cannot do, but rather the supports they need to achieve their goals. Student goals are focused on a combination of functional academics and developing the skills necessary for independence. Students within our FSA programs require support throughout their entire school day in order to be successful. Success includes support within their special education classes, during transitions, lunch, specialists and recess. Students also require support when they are included in the general classroom. Students gain skills through specially designed instruction in whole class, small group or individual-based instruction. Students often need sensory supports and the ability to take self-initiated breaks in a quiet space. Students may require speech/language therapy, motor skill development and/or nurse support. Students often need assistance with activities of daily living.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary in consultation with the employee(s) involved. Duties may vary from position-to-position or school-to-school based on the employee(s) specific assignment and program configuration.

• Assists students in learning, behavior, social, daily living and/or physical development. Assists with implementing detailed plans for individual students or small groups as developed by the classroom teacher.
• May assist students in their general education classes. Provides individual tutoring, assists student in organization, scribes lessons, proctors tests, and adapts lessons with the guidance of the classroom teacher.
• Directs small group activities; leads lessons at the direction of the classroom teacher, adapting lessons to meet specific student instructional needs and goals; assists with preparation of instructional materials; records classroom data and provides feedback to classroom teacher on student progress; and consults with teacher on IEP goals.
• Assists with student behavior management and social skills; corrects or redirects inappropriate student behavior consistent with student behavior plans and best practices; ensures student safety at all times; may restrain students using procedures consistent with employee training.
• May assist students with medical needs, with self-care; assists with toileting by accompanying students to the restroom, transfers students from wheelchairs to toilets; changes diapers, may perform catheterization if trained by a registered nurse; change or empty bags for students who are catheterized; reposition students or lift students with the assistance of others or by using assistive equipment; and assists students with feeding, including tube feeding.
• Works as a team member building special services team. Serves as a liaison between students, teachers, parents and other building staff. May participate in parent conferences or as a member of the building multi-disciplinary team.
• May attend staff meetings and professional development courses.
• Assists and supervises students in free time activities. May supervise playground activities and school bus-loading/unloading.
• Assists students using the computer; understands classroom technology and helps troubleshoot student computer issues.
• Acts as a role model for students and actively listens to their needs.
• May be required to ride the bus with a student to and from school.
• Performs other related duties consistent with the job description and employee assignment.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

Reports to the building principal and the special education teacher.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in a classroom environment; students in these classrooms may have cognitive, physical and/or behavior disabilities that may present significant work challenges for the paraeducator. May experience frequent interruptions; may be required to deal with distraught or angry students and parents. May be required to travel between schools. May be required to deal with students with severe behavioral disorders requiring de-escalation skills or physical restraint. May be required to assist students outside in inclement weather. May be required to assist students in a swimming pool. Depending on the assignment, this type of work may involve lifting, re-positioning, toileting, tube-feeding and providing custodial care for students, requiring the ability to lift up to 25 pounds, or occasionally up to 50 pounds with assistance or using lifting devices. The position involves frequent walking, sitting, grasping, handling and manual dexterity.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

To meet the new Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA), this position requires that applicant either hold an associate degree or higher, college credit equivalency (72 quarter or 48-semester credits) or have graduated from High School and passed the ETS ParaPro Assessment with a score of 455 or higher.

Link to PESB's paraeducator minimum employment requirements.

Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training or equivalent is required. Training is provided upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Willingness to learn about special education student disabilities, terms and special needs equipment used; Willingness to learn about classroom management techniques; ability to work cooperatively with teachers and enjoy interacting with children; knowledge of correct grammar, spelling, and English usage; ability to read, write, speak, and compute effectively; ability to work independently, ability to operate computers and learn specific software; ability to be accepting of students with disabilities; demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills; ability to maintain confidential information; ability to interact with children in a warm, confident manner; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the public.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Completion of Washington State Core Competencies for Paraeducators within 3 years of hire. May require a reliable means of transportation and a valid Washington state driver's license if position requires travel between schools. Employees assigned to work with students whose behavior includes physical or verbal aggression will be required to undergo training on safety and appropriate intervention techniques. Other district provided training may be required depending on the assignment.

SALARY Salary is based upon the current 2023-24 ESP Salary Schedule Salary (Level I); placement on the salary schedule will be determined by Human Resources DOE. FLSA Non-Exempt.

WORK YEAR 5.5 hours per day, 192 days per year.

BENEFITS Washington state health insurance coverage (SEBB) and a Washington state retirement package, for eligible positions. Generally, you are eligible for SEBB benefits if you are anticipated to work at least 630 hours per school year (September 1 through August 31). The School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) benefits include:

• Medical plans with prescription benefits
• Dental plans
• Vision plans
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Dependent Care Assistance Program

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

• Complete an online application.
• Attach a cover letter and resume.
• Enter 3 professional references, including their name, working relationship to you, phone number, and email address. Confidential Reference Forms are automatically emailed via the application system.
• Optional – letters of recommendation, transcripts, ETS scores, certificates, etc.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of background checks with prior employers and/or character 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 Northshore School Board.

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