2024-25 Substitute Paraeducator

SUBSTITUTE PARAEDUCATOR

STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification: Instructional ParaeducatorLocation: Assigned School(s)

Reports to: Principal or Principal Designee FLSA Status: NonExempt

Bargaining Unit: NTPA

This is a standard position description to be used for substitute paraeducator positions with similar duties responsibilities classification and compensation. Substitute paraeducators assigned to the position description may or may not perform all the essential functions indicated in this position description.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Part I: Position Summary:

The Paraeducator performs a variety of instructional and/or support duties to assist the school and teachers in instruction supervision and education of students within groups or oneonone teacher to student situations. May work with students individually and small groups to complete assigned work. Keep students on task.

The District represents a diverse community with a population of more than 50 of students with diverse seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the Districts diverse populations.

Part II: Supervision and Controls over the Work:

Paraeducators work under the daytoday direction of the staff member(s) supported and under the direct supervision of the Principal Principal Designee or District and/or educational staff associates provide specific directions and oversight for supervision and/or instructional support. Paraeducators (Special Education) are responsible for being familiar with the school/district policies and procedures which govern their work and for acquiring and applying knowledge of IDEA and Section 504 requirements.

Part III: Major Duties and Responsibilities (depending on specific assignment duties and responsibilities listed may include but are not limited to the following):

• Works collaboratively by assisting teachers in assessment curriculum implementation student interactions enforcing safe behaviors and enhancing social growth of students in the classroom. Such assistance may be provided in special education classrooms in oneonone or small group situations.
• If working in special education classrooms paraeducators may assist students with common daily tasks such as eating dressing toileting including provide colostomy care including emptying colostomy bags and cleaning of the provide health services and assistance to include changing dressings assisting with oxygen assisting with insulin assisting with nebulizers or inhalers and assisting with walkers wheelchairs canes crutches.
• Takes action or assists in taking action to restrain students who are at risk of harming themselves or others by following school/district approved restraint procedures.
• May escort students in oneonone or small groups to and from recess and playground to and from bus locations.
• Communicates with students parents and community members with respect and confidentiality and consistent with the direction and guidance of staff administrators and school/district policies and procedures.
• May oversee student safety by such activities as recess and playground supervision bus duty crossing guard duty hallway supervision steps to intervene when students are not in control or may be in dangerous or unsafe situations.
• Provides instructional support and tutoring to students in large groups small groups and oneonone situations.
• Proactively supports the implementation of necessary visual supports and modifications to the instructional environment to facilitate student engagement in all settings.
• Provides necessary social skills and organizational instruction unique to each students needs under the direction of certificated personnel.
• Uses behavior management plans to assist staff with problem solving ideas to maintain an environment conducive to learning. Prioritizes daily tasks and ensures implementation of those tasks in an efficient manner.
• Actively and openly communicates with teachers and other certified staff to maintain effective and consistent behavioral plans.
• Listens to concerns uses language appropriate for the students understanding and observes body language before making active decisions. Uses interpersonal and communication skills to influence persuade motivate and resolve conflicts or sensitive problems.
• Supervises limited discipline measures such as timeout loss of recess removal from classroom if being disruptive to the learning environment.
• Documents behavior of students to assist teachers in assessing progress with education or assists in maintaining student weekly progress reports.
• Assists staff in limited clerical duties such as making copies operating a fax machine answering telephones ordering supplies and record keeping.
• When other duties do not interfere with 1:1 studentspecific paraeducator responsibilities teachers with administrator approval may assign this position to provide supervision instructional support and/or oversee student safety.
• Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
• Performs Other Duties as Assigned: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position.

Part IV: Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

1. Able to work in an environment with frequent interruptions and changing tasks and priorities.
2. Able to assist console and manage students who may be emotional distraught or frustrated.
3. Able to remain calm focused and in control when working with students parents guardians and community members who may be difficult and challenging to engage.
4. Able to follow written and verbal direction and take the initiative to seek clarity and take action when needed.
5. Able to report to work with regular and reliable attendance and punctuality.
6. Be or become knowledgeable and supportive of classroom management and student discipline procedures.
7. Constantly exhibit command and proper annunciation spelling syntax and use of the English language to assist and model proper language usage by students.
8. Able to organize work and set priorities for accomplishing work in a timely and effective manner.
9. Able to protect the confidentiality of student information consistent with FERPA requirements and good judgment.
10. Able to work collaboratively and effectively with staff students parents volunteers and community members.
11. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Part V: Desired Qualifications:

1. Two years of experience that demonstrates the ability to work successfully with children in a learning environment. Education beyond the high school level may be substituted for experience on a yearforyear basis with thirty 30 semester hours or portion thereof considered one year or portion thereof of education and/or experience.
2. Bilingual skills.
3. Familiarity or willingness and ability to be trained in inclusive strategies utilized to meet the educational needs of students with disabilities.

Part VI: Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

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

The employee must lift and/or move 25 to 50 pounds and may assist move or restrain students with greater weight when to intervene in student safety issues.

While performing the duties of this job the paraeducator is frequently to sit lift carry move about hear and speak. Paraeducator may be required to perform extensive work at a computer display terminal or stand for longer than two 2 hours.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions fumes or airborne particles toxic or caustic chemicals. It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials during the course of their duties.

The employee may be exposed to infectious disease as carried by students exposed to student noise and learning resource noise levels.

The employee may be exposed to aggressive student behaviors to include biting hitting kicking and throwing of objects. May be to wear and utilize safety equipment designed to minimize the risk of injury to the employee and to the student.

The employee may be exposed to bodily fluids and waste while performing duties in life skills multihandicapped and some oneonone situations.

The employee may be required to travel in school owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students.

Insurance Benefits

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31 are eligible for medical dental vision long term disability and basic life insurance benefits.

North Thurston Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. For eligibility information check on the link to theDepartment of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pretax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Clink on the linkhttps:// for information on 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex race creed religion color national origin age veteran or military status sexual orientation gender expression or identity disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal 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 Coordinator and Title IX Officer:; Section 504 Coordinator atAddress for both: 305 College St. NE. Lacey WA 98516.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Effective June 11 1992 pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is considered temporary until receipt of satisfactory check. Proof that the fingerprinting process has begun must be supplied to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.