Substitute Paraeducator

The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

The Substitute Paraeducator provides essential support in facilitating the overall safety and effectiveness of the school operations through student supervision, instructional support, behavior intervention and management. These tasks are performed under the direction of certified teachers and under the supervision of the Program Administrator.

Essential Functions:

The following essential functions are common to all program Paraeducators although the application of such may vary slightly due to the level of student developmental abilities/issues.

• Provides consistent, active supervision of individual, small groups, and whole groups of students throughout daily programming in the classroom, during non-instructional time such as recess, lunch, break periods, and bus loading/unloading, as well as during off-campus outings and activities. Performs safety searches of students as directed.
• Monitors student interactions during the instructional day.

Under the direction of, or in conjunction with the teacher, carries out a variety of individual, small group, or whole groups instructional activities to implement academic, social, vocational/life skills, health/safety, technological and recreational curriculum including motivational support and reinforcement of student efforts and achievements.

• De-escalates disruptive student behavior to prevent crisis escalation and participates in physical management of students in crisis according to established program procedures if warranted.
• Performs related duties as assigned. Related duties may not specifically be listed but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to comply with NWESD policy/procedures and to maintain confidentiality of records and other information.

Qualifications:

High School diploma or equivalent required. Associate’s degree or higher; two years of education from an institute of higher education (72 quarter hours or 48 semester hours); or proof of a score of 461 or higher on the ETS Parapro Assessment preferred. Experience working with at-risk and adjudicated adolescents in an alternative environment is strongly preferred. WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required. Valid First-Aid/CPR certificate and Right Response training required, or be willing to obtain.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work is performed in an educational environment for special needs students in which continual observation and awareness of the surroundings is critical. Must have sufficient stamina, fitness, and coordination to safely participate in physical containment procedures and recreational activities.  Lifts and carries a maximum of 40 pounds. Transporting students may be required.  Adequate manual and finger dexterity, hearing, speech, and vision are necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.

Hazards: Due to the nature of the population of the school, hazards include but are not limited to exposure to weapons, threats, verbal abuse, spitting, fighting, kicking, hitting, punching, biting, scratching, hair pulling, throwing of objects and other forms of physical aggression.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

It is the policy of the Northwest Educational Service District No. 189 to not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship or immigration status.