Description Tacoma Public Schools Expected Start Date: September 1, 2024 FTE: .9375 Hours per day: 7.5 Salary Level: PA4A01 $25.369 - Base, PA4E01 $26.119 - Base + AA, PA4F01 $26.369 - Base + BA/BS Union/Days per year: Paraeducator, 183 work days, 10 monthBenefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public SchoolsAdditional Information: This position requires completion and attaining of the state mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. The Paraeducator Certificate Program offers statewide standards-based training for all paraeducator/Education Support Professionals (ESP), and supports a career growth ladder for those who wish to advance their career as a paraeducator or pursue a teaching profession.
Staff will be required to complete 28 hours of training on the Fundamental Course of Study provided by the district. The first two days of FCS training will be required to be completed within four months of the date of hire, and the second two days within six months of the date of hire, or by September 1 of the next school year. The general certificate is then earned by a paraeducator who completes ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training. Examples Of DutiesThis position serves as the assistant to the Early Learning classroom associate instructor; assists with promoting each child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth; establishes and maintains a positive child-oriented environment; assists with the implementation of the child development, parent involvement, and parent education services in accordance with Early Learning program(s) performance standards; collaborates with and supports the Early Learning classroom associate instructor in providing health and family services.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 1. Assists with and delivers individual and group instruction in a variety of learning activities; monitors and records each child’s progress for the purpose of promoting each child’s intellectual growth.
2. Assists the associate in the overall planning of curriculum and daily instructional activities required for meeting the objectives of the program, as time permits; assists in and provides for positive learning experiences to students; assists in arranging appropriate learning materials; assists in cleaning up materials and equipment; assists in maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for the purpose of promoting each child’s intellectual growth.
3. Assists the associate with child screenings and assessments, including child observations per Early Learning program(s) guidelines; assists in entering information into the computer-based assessment system for the purpose of promoting each child’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth.
4. Models and monitors behavior in all program activities; redirects and teaches appropriate behavior to students as needed; may supervise students entering or leaving building between classes for the purpose of each child’s social and emotional growth.
5. Meets children from child care buses and parents, escorts them safely into the classroom, and signs them in; follows the reverse procedure in the afternoon after signing them out; supervises students entering or leaving building between classes and boarding buses for the purpose of each child’s safety in a child-oriented environment.
6. Prepares and assists with daily classroom routines, which may include tooth brushing, for the purpose of each child’s growth in healthy habits and autonomy.
7. May prepare student meals by getting food from kitchen and preparing classroom tables; encourages students to assist; encourages and promotes conversation during meals; may track and submit menu changes in accordance with Early Learning program(s) procedures for the purpose of each child’s physical, social and emotional growth.
8. Promotes and coordinates active parent/family involvement in learning activities of the total Early Learning program(s); coordinates and implements parent committees and education; establishes and maintains a system of communication with families; may assist parent representatives with reports to the appropriate stakeholders; to the extent possible, may participate in parent meetings, assists in preparing flyers and newsletters, and makes phone calls to parents/guardians for the purpose of each child’s social, emotional and intellectual growth.
9. May participate, as directed and as time permits, in periodic home visits and family conferences to discuss student progress and development with parents/guardians for the purpose of each child’s social, emotional and intellectual growth.
10. Trains volunteers, as directed, in techniques for positive interaction with children in the classroom and at home through modeling and effective management techniques; assists in recruitment and enrollment activities; assumes primary responsibility for the classroom and students in the absence of the associate for the purpose of maintaining a positive child-oriented program.
11. Assists with maintaining attendance records and a variety of other forms to help ensure compliance with Early Learning program(s) requirements; assists in maintaining confidential records; duplicates, organizes, distributes and files a variety of materials for the purpose of ensuring compliance with Early Learning program(s)requirements.
OTHER JOB DUTIES 1. Attends meetings, classes, workshops, and seminars to maintain current developments in early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practices, and compliance with the program(s) rules and regulations, as needed or as assigned.
2. Enters data into the appropriate child assessment system, as assigned.
3. Performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.
4. Regular, reliable, predictable attendance or physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.
CONDITIONSMay be required to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends; may be required to travel within the community to student homes; may be exposed to infectious disease; may be required to work outdoors in inclement weather; occasionally deals with difficult and sensitive situations and/or people; experiences high activity level; required to lift and carry up to 40 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, be mobile, run, sit, and stand sufficiently to promote curriculum and preserve the safety of the students; required to work outdoors in inclement weather; may be required to attend meetings beyond the work day.
Minimum QualificationsEducation and Experience Be at least eighteen years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent; at least 12 college quarter credits in early childhood education credential is required; and at least one of the following: one year certificate in ECE; or an AA in ECE or be enrolled in a program leading to an AA or a BA in an education-related field; or a current CDA (Child Development Associate) credential or enrolled in a Child Development Associate Program (CDA program) to be completed within 2 years; with one year of post-secondary experience working in a preschool or child care setting; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.
Beginning with the 2020-2021 SY, the following are mandatory state minimum qualifications: HS diploma or equivalent; Associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or receive qualifying score (455) on Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment; or earned seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits at the one hundred level or higher at an accredited college or university; or completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.
Licenses/Special Requirements Current First Aid and CPR certifications and Food Handler’s permit or required to obtain within the first three months of employment.
Physical exam and TB test required within 60 days of employment and periodically thereafter for some early learning programs.
CDA credential is required to be kept current throughout period of employment.
Valid Washington State driver’s license and access to personal transportation.
Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance; may include Portable Background (DCYF) clearance for some early learning programs.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of applicable Early Learning program and ability to support the philosophy and components of the program.
Knowledge of childhood academic, social, emotional, and physical development.
Knowledge of early childhood education and child development.
Knowledge of child assessment and observation methods.
Knowledge of community resources related to family needs.
Skill in problem solving and handling crisis situations.
Skill in obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information.
Skill in basic computer word processing.
Skill in effective child and group management strategies.
Ability to relate positively with families and small children.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.
Ability to plan preschool curriculum to meet individual and group needs.
Ability to support the philosophy and components of the program.
Ability to lift and carry students, sit, stoop, bend, and run.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to produce and maintain documentation and records.
Ability to work with special needs students and adapt curriculum.
Ability to organize and promote parent education.
Ability to prioritize, coordinate, and multi-task.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.
Ability to work as a cooperative team member.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate activities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Supplemental InformationThis job description is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, 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 balance the workload.
Tacoma Public Schools 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 or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal 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 Coordinator: Renee Trueblood, 253-571-1252, civilrights@tacoma.k12.wa.us
- Title IX Coordinator: Wayne Greer, 253-571-1191, wgreer@tacoma.k12.wa.us
- 504 Coordinator, Jennifer Herbold, 253-571-1096, jherbol@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.
Closing Date/Time: 7/31/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
