Paraeducator - Non-Mainstream Special Education ILC Job Tacoma area,Washington USA,Education / Teaching

Para educator – Non‑Mainstream Special Education

Date Posted: 5/26/2026
Location:

THOMPSON ELEM (High‑Needs School)
Closing Date: 06/01/2026

Position Hours and Pay

Position: 6.5 hours per day, 178 days per year. First year: 7 hours per day for 4 days, then 2 days each year until certification completed. Pay: PSE Salary Schedule Level 5 – $24.76 (25–26 PSE Salary Schedule).

Important Information

Official Hire Date:
Based on School Board approval and may change without notice. Contact HR with any questions.

Required Training:
Right Response Training within 3‑5 months of hire.

Must successfully complete the Fundamental Course of Studies (FCS) and the General Para educator Certificate per state requirements. The Para educator Certificate Program depends on state funding.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be 18 years of age.
Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
One of the following:

Successfully passed the ETS Para Pro test or Pearson Paraprofessional assessment.
AA degree or higher.
Earned 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at an accredited institution.
Completion of a registered apprenticeship program offered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Successful completion of the Master Teacher Inc. Para educator Online Training Program.

Description

This position’s responsibilities are to assist certificated staff with instructional and non‑instructional activities for non‑mainstreamed special education students, generally in a self‑contained classroom, including instructing students individually or in small groups, assisting students with basic life skills, and supervising student behavior activities.

Essential Functions

Instructs moderately to severely handicapped students individually or in small groups in a variety of learning activities to promote student understanding of materials presented. Provides encouragement, reinforcement, and achievement of educational objectives and goals defined by certificated staff. Assists in the administration of objective tests or other measurements.

Communicates with certificated staff concerning individual student progress; adjusts methods to meet the needs of a wide variety of students; consults with certificated staff concerning remediation or enrichment activities.

Assists certificated staff in maintaining records, logs, charts, assignments, and other records for assessment of student progress.

Attends to student physical and safety needs; monitors students for medical risks such as seizures and behaviors that may result in harm to themselves or others; corrects behaviors and maintains discipline according to established policies and procedures.

Assists students with toileting, which may include catheterization and diapering; attends to the personal hygiene needs of students. Assists students in washing hands and face, brushing teeth and hair, and taking showers.

Assists students with interpersonal and personal skills mastery; helps feed students and teaches social aspects of eating with others.

Assists students with basic living skills and pre‑vocational activities. Works with students to develop communication skills; facilitates integration of students with age‑group peers to the extent possible.

Establishes and maintains effective communication with students, staff, and parents for student progress and safety, and community relations.

Provides physical assistance to students, such as lifting or positioning. Uses adaptive equipment to communicate with students; follows and documents procedures established by the physical therapist.

Monitors need for first aid for students and refers for treatment as appropriate.

Maintains cleanliness and hygiene of classroom and implements and equipment. Washes dishes; cleans and disinfects tables and counters; washes and dries clothes, towels, washcloths, and bibs.

Other Functions

Alerts qualified district staff to student problems.

Locates, prepares and/or modifies materials for student use, enrichment activities, and special projects under the direction of certificated staff.

Prepares, duplicates, collates and distributes materials; operates a variety of office equipment.

Maintains the physical appearance of classroom and other…