Position #21660: Para/SS/Tier III Autism Classroom 

Posting Dates: 10/16/2024 – Until Filled
Location: Washington Elementary School 
Hours: 6.5 Hours per Day, 180 Days per Year

 

 This position is based on student/program need. Hours may increase or decrease as necessary. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

This position will involve working with and supervising students with Autism, who have significant special needs and frequently use behavior as a form of communication in the general education and special education settings. The paraeducator will work as a team with the special education teacher, other paraeducators, and specialists. Duties will include carrying out educational instruction, with training and at the direction of the teacher. The paraeducator will be involved in collecting data and keeping documentation to help monitor the student’s progress. The paraeducator may assist in toileting, diapering and food preparation. The paraeducator will perform all duties of the position within the scope of Kennewick School District policies and procedures. Other job-related duties will be performed as assigned.

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

 

All applications must be submitted to the Kennewick School District Online at www.ksd.org.

 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

 

1. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
2. Must have an AA degree OR 72 quarter college credits OR 48 semester college credits OR a passing score on the ETS test.
3. Must attach unofficial transcript proving AA or equivalent to application. Official transcripts of all levels of education, including high school, required within 30 days of hire.
4. Must complete Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) requirements within the school year.
5. Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
6. Must be able to meet the Physical Demands of the position.
7. Must pass a basic skills test.
8. Completion of Safe Schools Web Based Training within 30 days of hire and yearly thereafter.
9. Must pass a background check, which includes employee paid fingerprinting.
10. CPI training must be obtained at the next available opportunity.

 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

 

1. Must uphold board policies and follow administrative procedures.
2. Must take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
3. Must attend in-service trainings or other meetings as required, as well as attend any training as directed by management.
4. Evidence of ability to assess and correct issues involving safety.
5. Evidence of ability to establish and maintain a tactful, cooperative and effective relationship with students, parents, staff, fellow employees and management.
6. Evidence of ability to approach assigned work in a professional manner, working toward the common goal of teamwork, pride in service delivery and continuous improvement.
7. Must demonstrate sufficient command of the English language to communicate verbally and in writing with students, parents, district staff members and other concerned people regarding all aspects of their job related activities.
8. Must be able to use basic computer programs to maintain records, enter timecard information and read and respond to email.
9. Must be first-aid certified or be willing to acquire first aid training as soon as possible.

 

QUALIFICATIONS PREFERRED

 

1. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
2. Ability and willingness to safely supervise student duration transition periods.
3. Training and experience in working with students within the autism spectrum.
4. Able to recognize, manage, and implement behavior intervention strategies when appropriate.
5. Able to maintain documentation of ongoing student behavioral data, and be able to report back to the IEP team.
6. Ability to run quickly after students with elopement issues and be able to visually track individual student movement.
7. Able and willing to feed and diaper children who are motoric and require assistance in the bathroom setting.
8. Able to carry out prescribed instructional and behavioral management program.
9. Able to model appropriate behaviors and to provide consistent behavior intervention procedures with student.
10. Physically able to lift students as needed (50 lbs.) or up to 100 lbs. with assistance.
11. Evidence of skill with Microsoft Office software.
12. Evidence of patience and warmth in working with student and able to remain calm in crisis.
13. Ability to be flexible and take direction; must be able to work independently.
14. Ability to work successfully in team situations.
15. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to: 
    a. Cope with unpredictability
    b. Be flexible, diplomatic and cooperative
    c. Maintain composure in difficult situations
    d. Value and maintain confidential student information
    e. Maintain proper channels of communication
    f. Communicate effectively and appropriately with parents and staff.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

 

1. Provide direct support to autistic students under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher(s), using prescribed formats.
2. Correctly follow specific directions from the teacher by the implementation of data collection, classroom rules (i.e. student and adult), classroom set-up and/or specific student directives.
3. Take appropriate and thorough data on correct forms as directed or assigned by teacher(s); complete required paperwork with accuracy and efficiency to maintain compliance with state and school district regulations.
4. Provide support for physical/health needs of student(s) as required.
5. Assist teachers with needed clerical or instructional tasks, including making copies of worksheets, flashcards, and creating specialized materials.
6. Assist in supervision and control of students in order to promote a safe, orderly, positive learning climate.
7. Supervise student(s) during recess times within the school day; play and interact with assigned student(s), including being in close proximity and role-modeling.
8. Assist specialists (P.E., Music, Library) in supervision of assigned student(s) as required.
9. Perform all duties of the position within the scope of Kennewick School District policies and procedures, including regular attendance and punctuality.
10. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Mobility: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time, push or pull up to 50 lbs., sit, kneel and crouch, twist and bend, use hands to type, finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arm. The employee may be required to physically move quickly in an emergency or while performing student supervision duties.

• Sense: The employee is required to talk/hear conversations and other sounds. The employee must be able to communicate effectively in person and over the telephone. The employee is required to taste and smell. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, far vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

• Lifting: The employee must be able to lift or move up to 50 lbs. and up to 100 lbs. with help; must also be able to lift overhead.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Hazards: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work outdoors in a wide variety of temperatures; from -10 degrees F to 100 degrees F +. The employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in this work environment is moderate.

 

Kennewick School District's Non-Discrimination Policy

The Kennewick School District provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or use of trained dog, guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

 

Civil Rights & Equity: Bronson Brown- (509) 222-5010 (bronson.brown@ksd.org)

Section 504, Title IX: BJ Wilson - (509) 222-5003 (BJ.Wilson@ksd.org)

 

This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in all education programs and/or extra-curricular school activities in the Kennewick School District.

 

Applicants: Inquiries regarding compliance procedures or requests for reasonable accommodation may be directed to the School District’s Director of Human Resources.

 

For information on salary and benefits offered, please visit https://www.ksd.org/hr-landing/benefits-salary-schedules

 

Kennewick School District Contact Names and Telephone Numbers:

  

Toni Neidhold, Director of Human Resources

(509)222-6414

Toni.Neidhold@ksd.org

Certified/Classified ADA

 

Kennewick School District

1000 West 4^th Avenue

Kennewick, WA 99336