Special Educational Assistant, program

Special Education Assistant

Hermiston School District is seeking a Special Education Assistant, 8 hours/day, to serve in our Next Steps 18-21-year-old transition program located on the Hermiston High School campus. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Special Education teacher to assist students defined as physically, mentally, and/or emotionally disabled. Position begins August 17, 2026.

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must meet NCLB educational requirements by possessing a minimum of an Associate's Degree or 72 college credit hours. Passage of the Work Keys or Para Pro Assessment test will serve as an alternative to the educational requirement. The Para Pro/Work Keys exam is administered by the District as needed.
• Demonstrated standards of moral character and behavior as required of teachers (e.g. to serve as an effective role model).
• Previous experience working with students, desired

The Para Pro exam study guide is available on our web-site.

Hermiston High School educates a growing population, serving ~1600 students grades 9-12, with over 130 dedicated teachers and support staff members. The principal is supported by three assistant principals, an athletic director, and a dean of students.

The largest high school in all of Eastern Oregon, Hermiston provides a robust offering of content courses as well as a variety of elective curriculums that are tied to regional college degrees, certificates, and programs. Annually, over 5000 college credits are earned across six recognized Programs of Study through partnerships with various community colleges and institutions of higher education, instructed on campus by qualified HHS staff.

Performance across the disciplines has been strong, where Hermiston High School students perform at or above the state average and consistently outperform schools of similar constitution. An extremely low drop-out rate, one of the highest completion rates in the state, and a culture towards "Destination College" has been well established where nearly 60% of high school graduates attend 2 and 4 year institutions following graduation.

The newer, ~300,000 square foot campus, is exceptionally well-maintained and boasts some 70 classrooms, 9 computer labs, media center, student fitness complex, comprehensive CTE and fine arts facilities, an on-site alternative school, and a robust online learning program. A new $5.0M sports facility recently lauded as "The Best Prep Stadium in Oregon (Oregon Live, 2014)," provides a state-of-the-art collegiate-level track and field complex and all-weather football and soccer surface.

Hermiston High School utilizes a semester schedule and modified block system that provides a combination of 50 minute and 90 minute classes during each week. Students are offered 4 different diploma completion options, with the alternative high school offering a GED preparation track as well.

A diverse student body, a strength of the community and the school, Hermiston High School is comprised primarily of students who are considered Caucasian (55%) with the largest minority being of Hispanic decent (40%).

State-recognized co-curricular organizations such as FFA, FCCLA, DECA, and Robotics boast large numbers of students and incredible community support. Likewise, club activities in such areas as Spanish, science, Key Club, outdoor, knowledge bowl, rodeo, and National Honor Society are just a few of the additional offerings students participate in.

The Hermiston School District is the largest district in eastern Oregon, exceeding 5,600 students in grades kindergarten through 12, with the mission of serving the needs of all children with rigorous program choices, high expectations, mutual respect, and excellence. The school district includes a 9-12 senior high school, two 6-8 middle schools, six K-5 elementary schools, and a robust online learning program option for students and families.

Support for the school district has been strong from the community. In 2019 voters approved an $82.7 million building project, which includes the replacement of Rocky Heights Elementary (opening fall 2022), construction of an additional elementary school Loma Vista (opening fall 2022), and a multi-classroom annex of the high school, along with various district-wide renovations. The voters also approved a $69.9 million bond in 2008, which served to replace Armand Larive Middle School, West Park Elementary, and Sunset Elementary schools.

The District employs over 630 full-time staff which includes approximately 365 teachers and over 265 classified, support, and supervisory personnel, making it one of the largest employers in the city of Hermiston. A nationally-recognized community that embraces its diversity, the district serves some 28,000 residents, where one-third of the population is Hispanic.

The school district prides itself on the academic achievement of its students, successful athletic programs, nationally…