Para Educator - Life Skills

Starting Date: Aug 31, 2026

Under the direction and supervision of the building principal, Director of Special Education, the para educator will assist in instruction, teach, motivate, inspire, and assess students with special needs.

• Assist the special education teacher in the implementation, organization and preparation of the classroom program and materials.
• Provide instruction to students with special needs as assigned and supervised by the special education teacher.
• Assist the special education teacher with record keeping tasks as directed.
• Assist the special education teacher in maintaining the safety and well‑being of the students.
• Work daily with students in accordance with scheduled times.
• Facilitate and complete learning experiences designated by the teacher.
• Record progress of students on daily task sheets.
• Complete forms, record information accurately, and perform other secretarial tasks that are needed for the program.
• Teach using various methodologies, including lectures, demonstrations, and discussions.
• Teach effective communication skills.
• Meet course and school wide student performance goals.
• Create a positive educational climate for students to learn.
• Provide social and academic guidance for students under the direction of the special education teacher.
• Respond appropriately to aggressive and physical behaviors.
• Utilize soft restraint and de‑escalation techniques.
• Maintain the physical capability to lift a student (must be able to lift 50 pounds).
• Maintain and promote personal professional growth through appropriate coursework, workshops, reading of professional materials, etc.
• Assist students with behavior management by consistently following the plan developed by the staff, including redirecting, teaching replacement behavior and providing reinforcement.
• Refer concerns for safety, health, and discipline to the supervising teacher or principal.
• Attend to personal care of students when required, such as toileting, lifting, transferring, changing, feeding, and providing other services based on student needs.
• Monitor student activities on the playground and lunchroom.
• Assist in upholding and enforcing school district rules, administrative regulations, and board policies.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Inspect school or district facilities to ensure the site is suitable for safe operations, maintained in an attractive and clean condition, and to identify necessary repairs due to vandalism, equipment breakage, weather conditions, etc.

• Demonstrated ability to follow specified lesson plans independently.
• Demonstrated interest in working with students with special needs.
• Demonstrated understanding of effective instruction, assessment, and socially just practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teachers to improve instruction using data to drive decision‑making instruction.
• Willing and physically capable of kneeling, bending, and working or sitting on the floor with students, based on student needs.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in using computer technologies to enhance instruction and to manage building function.

• Proof of High School diploma, or equivalent.
• One of the following qualifications:
  • AA Degree from an accredited academic college or university.
  • A minimum of 72 college quarter credits.
• Passing a district‑recognized assessment of basic skills and instructional proficiency (currently the ETS test).
• Completion of 14 hours of Fundamental Course of Study training as provided and directed by the District (OSPI and PESB requirement).
• Successful clearance of the FBI and Washington State Patrol fingerprint background check.
• Successful Washington State Sexual Misconduct clearance.
• Completion of federal I‑9 form.
• Meet age requirements to drive school district vehicles.

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee may be required to deal with distraught and/or angry persons and may be exposed to infectious diseases carried by children. The noise level in the work environment is acceptable to this particular environment and can vary depending upon daily activity but will remain within acceptable ranges.

$21.86 to $26.87 per hour

Full‑Time

The Omak School District complies with all applicable federal and state rules and regulations and 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, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. Persons who may need some accommodation in the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Office.

The organization is a drug and tobacco free workplace.