Substitute Para Educator

Job Description

Starting Date: Immediately

The job of instructional para educator is to provide assistance to classroom teachers. Responsibilities vary with individual assignment, but typically include tutoring students, giving small and large group instruction, and implementing behavior‑management systems. This position requires working with students who have a range of disabilities (mild to severe learning, behavioral, emotional, and physical).

• Provide instructional support and assistance in teaching and learning as needed in small or large group situations.
• Assist teachers with duties related to instruction such as observing, recording data, charting behavior, and classroom preparation.
• Follow and implement plans, procedures, strategies, or tasks directed by an administrator or certificated staff.
• Learn and apply approaches/strategies for working with students in an instructional setting.
• Demonstrate interest in working with students, including those with special needs.
• Encourage and model expected behavior.
• Build and maintain a positive, caring relationship with all students.
• Assist in maintaining safety, behavior, decorum, and order in common areas (cafeteria, playground, corridors, study halls, gymnasium, auditorium, locker rooms, parking lots, crosswalks, detention rooms, and school buses).
• Provide toilet/diaper care and feeding if necessary; may include tube feeding and catheterization.
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with all members of the school community.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Keep documentation and maintain organized records on a daily basis.
• Participate in training courses to enhance skills.
• Perform basic computer skills such as word processing and email.
• Report to assigned duty areas promptly and reliably.
• Remain flexible to changes in assignments or situations.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Provide first aid in case of illness and/or injury and report accidents to the building office.
• Perform other duties as directed by the building principal.

• Proof of high school diploma or willingness to obtain an equivalent.
• Current first aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain one.

• Demonstrated skill in communicating effectively with all staff, students, and team members, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with students in a warm and confident manner.
• Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

A person working in this position will exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally while carrying, pushing, and/or pulling objects. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds unaided and may lift over 50 pounds with assistance. The job requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching; significant fine finger dexterity is also required. The work environment includes risk of injury and ordinary infectious diseases carried by students.

The salary range for the para educator is $19.13–$21.13 per hour. Substitutes accrue 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked. Substitutes who work 630 hours become benefit eligible for the remainder of the school year. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Long‑Term Disability, provided through the School Employee Benefits Board.

Mead School District #354 is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, disability, neurodivergence, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Inquiries regarding compliance procedures may be directed to the District’s Title IX/Civil‑Rights Officer, Section 504 Coordinator, or the affirmative‑action officer.