Education Support Professional Preschool Deaf/Hard of Hearing - Birney Elementary

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: September 2 2025

FTE: 0.7

Hours per day: 7 hours per day/4 days per week M T Th F

Salary Level:PA4A01 $26.81 - No Degree

PA4E01 $27.56 - AA Degree or

PA4F01 $27.81 - BA/BSDegree or higher

Union/Days per year:Education Support Professional 183 work days 10 month

Benefits:This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools

This position provides varied support services to students their families and District staff as needed and directed to encourage students and to facilitate home and school cooperation; provides for students and staff general office classroom outdoor and home assistance as assigned by administrator; supports District initiatives tasks and operations; may monitor students in the classroom at lunch in the playground at the assigned school(s)/building(s) cross walks and/or boarding buses.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Provides academic and/or behavioral instruction and/or varied support for students in general education and for the whole child as directed; establishes and maintains a safe healthy and creative learning environment in collaboration with the assigned administrator; per instruction selects and arranges appropriate learning materials.

2. As directed selects and uses a variety of activities in a well-balanced curriculum to provide positive learning experiences to advance the students language literacy math skills creativity physical health social and emotional development.

3. Facilitates the onboarding processes for families and their children; ensures as directed compliance with District State and Federal requirements; provides information on services available to eligible students and families; conveys information regarding school and/or District activities and procedures; and may refer families to other agencies as directed.

4. As assigned selects individualized and group activities based on information from administrators gathered through assessments observation interviewing and screening; may track and record developmental progress and learning outcomes.

5. Monitors behavior in onsite and home program activities; may supervise students entering or leaving building at lunch between classes and boarding buses.

6. May prepare student meals by getting food from assigned kitchen and packages meals as directed; if onsite encourages students to assist and encourages and promotes conversation during meals; may track and submit menu changes in accordance with District guidelines for the purpose of each childs physical social and emotional growth.

7. Prepares and assists with daily classroom and home routines for the purpose of each childs growth in healthy habits and autonomy.

8. May make home visits and in collaboration with the assigned administrator; under direction of the assigned administrator uses written plans to provide effective home learning activities for the children; uses these opportunities to support parent involvement and education.

9. Collaborates with the assigned administrator to assist families in accessing community and agency resources insuring that families receive appropriate assistance; participates in onboarding of children.

10. Collaborates with the assigned administrator to establish mutually respectful family partnership goals with each family; assists with efforts and resources to teach the goals and build parent problem solving skills ensuring that information is explained shared and understood by all involved.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Attends meetings classes workshops and seminars to maintain current developments in childhood education developmentally appropriate practices and compliance with program rules and regulations as needed or as assigned.

2. Enters data into the appropriate child assessment system as assigned.

3. Performs related duties as assigned on a temporary basis. May assist in potty training and diapering.

4. Regular reliable predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.

CONDITIONS

May be required to work flexible hours; may be required to travel within the community to student homes; may be exposed to infectious disease; occasionally deals with difficult and/or sensitive situations and/or people; experiences high activity level; required to lift and carry up to 40 pounds bend squat stoop kneel crouch walk twist climb be mobile run sit and stand sufficiently to promote curriculum and preserve the safety of the students; required to work outdoors in inclement weather; may be required to attend meetings beyond the work day.

Education and Experience

Be at least eighteen years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent; receive a qualifying score on the Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment as published by PESB; or an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or earn seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits at the one hundred level or higher at an accredited college or university; or completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council; one year related work experience and/or working with students and parents in a community or school setting; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge skills and ability required to perform the work.

Licenses/Special Requirements

Current First Aid and CPR certifications and Food Handlers permit required to obtain within the first three months of employment.

Annual physical exam and TB test required within 60 days of employment and periodically thereafter for some early learning programs.

District training as required per the position assignments.

Valid Washington State drivers license and access to personal transportation.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.

May include Portable Background (DCYF) clearance.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of applicable childhood education program and ability to support the philosophy and components of the program.

Knowledge of childhood academic social emotional and physical development.

Knowledge of childhood education and child development.

Knowledge of child assessment and observation methods.

Knowledge of community resources related to family needs.

Skill in problem solving and handling crisis situations.

Skill with flexibility to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances.

Skill in working with data utilizing defined but different processes.

Skill in operating equipment using standardized methods.

Skill in obtaining clarifying and exchanging information.

Skill in basic computer word processing.

Skill in effective child and group management strategies.

Ability is required to schedule activities meetings and/or events as assigned; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment.

Ability to relate positively with families and children.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable reliable and regular attendance.

Ability to plan preschool curriculum to meet individual and group needs.

Ability to support the philosophy and components of the program.

Ability to lift and carry students sit stoop bend and run.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to produce and maintain documentation and records.

Ability to work with special needs students and adapt curriculum.

Ability to organize and promote parent education.

Ability to prioritize coordinate and multi-task.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural diverse socio-economic setting.

Ability to work as a cooperative team member.

Ability to plan organize and coordinate activities.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Tacoma Public Schools 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: Tiffany Davis-Brantley
• Title IX Coordinator: Wayne Greer
• 504 Coordinator: Elise Friedrich-Nielsen

Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357 Tacoma WA 98401-1357.