Education Support Professional Transitional Kindergarten - Grant

Para educator Position

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected

Start Date:

September 1, 2026

FTE: 0.75

Hours per day: 6

Salary Level: PA4A01 $ 26.81 - No Degree

PA4E01 $ 27.56 - AA Degree or

PA4F01 $ 27.81 - BA/BS Degree 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

Additional Information:
This position requires completion and attainment of the state mandated General Para educator Certificate. The Para educator Certificate Program offers statewide standards-based training for all para educator/Education Support Professionals (ESP), and supports a career growth ladder for those who wish to advance their career as a para educator or pursue a teaching profession. Staff will be required to complete 28 hours of training on the Fundamental Course of Study provided by the district.

The first two days of FCS training will be required to be completed within four months of the date of hire, and the second two days within six months of the date of hire, or by September 1 of the next school year. The general certificate is then earned by a para educator who completes ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training.

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.

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 child's physical, social and emotional growth.

7. Prepares and assists with daily classroom and home routines for the purpose of each child's 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…