Special Program Para , Life Skills

Overview

Special Program Para educator 1, Life Skills — 6.5 hours per day, 9 months per year. This is a one-on-one position.
Fair Labor Standards Act Status:
Non-Exempt

• Assist the teacher in implementing and evaluating goals and objectives for individual student IEPs.
• Provide instructional assistance and support to students in academic subjects, life skills, social skills, and related activities.
• Help manage student behavior with direction from certificated staff; de-escalate emotional/behavioral crises as needed and follow behavior management plans.
• Prepare teaching materials, maintain data collection records, and assist with data entry, record keeping, and filing.
• Observe students and communicate observations to appropriate staff; participate in team meetings as appropriate.
• Assist with transporting students on and off buses as required by assignment.
• Support personal hygiene needs and health-related tasks in accordance with training and district policy.
• Assist with medication dispensing following district policy when required.
• Support inclusive classroom practices and collaborate with team members to achieve classroom or program goals.

• Documentation verifying a high school diploma or GED; and
• One of the following: official transcripts verifying an Associate’s degree (90 quarter or 60 semester hours) or 72 quarter or 48 semester credits from an accredited institution; OR ETS Para Pro Assessment result of 461 or higher.
• One year of related experience with children in an educational setting preferred.
• Successful experience as part of an educational team preferred.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team; ability to support goals for the classroom or program area.
• Strong problem solving, analytical, and conflict resolution skills; ability to think quickly.
• Experience working with children with moderate to severe disabilities preferred.

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to respond to evasive and aggressive behavior of students.
• Ability to attend mandatory trainings on weekends and complete CPI/de-escalation/physical restraint training as required; training completed as soon as possible after hiring.
• Ability to learn and use a computer monitor, keyboard, and adaptive technologies.
• Ability to implement educational programs and manage student behavior with guidance from the teacher.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to be flexible with tasks and schedules.
• Ability to develop relationships and provide supportive roles for students with mental or physical disabilities.

• Ability to lift and assist with physically restraining a child as required by the job.
• Ability to escort students around the campus safely and independently.
• Ability to observe student behavior and communicate observations to other service providers.
• Regular attendance to carry out duties and program requirements.

• Treat co-workers, supervisors, students, parents and others with dignity and respect at all times.
• Serve as a positive role model and demonstrate appropriate behaviors.
• Work in a flexible and cooperative manner; be a team member to support the teacher in implementing and evaluating goals and objectives.
• Participate in team meetings to provide observational input and obtain information relevant to the position.
• Manage behavior and assist students during class activities; provide instructional assistance as directed by certificated staff; may include basic life skills, social skills, community access, personal hygiene, and related tasks.
• De-escalate students during emotional/behavioral crises and implement behavior management plans as appropriate.
• Assist with material preparation and maintain documentation as assigned.
• Observe assigned students on and off school grounds and intervene as needed to ensure safety.
• Attend training meetings to broaden expertise in working with students with special needs.
• Assignment may include assisting students on and off buses.
• Perform other tasks as assigned in alignment with job classification.

It is understood that the district retains the right to transfer and assign employees to best fit the needs of the district.

• Salary range:
  New employees will start at the minimum hourly rate in the salary range. Prior years of service in similar positions with other districts may be considered for experience credit toward salary placement.
• Benefits:
  Eligible employees working at least 630 hours may receive health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits.
• Retirement:
  Eligible for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) based on FTE.
• Time Off:
  Vancouver Public Schools offers paid holidays and paid time off, including sick, vacation, personal, and bereavement leave; additional negotiated leave options are available in the VAESP CPA.