2026-27 Special Education - Para III

POSITION: Parapro III - Special Services

LOCATION: Ida Nason Elementary

REPORTS TO: Special Programs Director

JOB SUMMARY: *Works with students with significant social/emotional/developmental needs. The paraprofessional will reinforce lessons, guide enrichment work, follow behavior plans, collect data and supervise as directed by the teacher. This specifically includes paraprofessionals working within the classroom of Structured Teaching, Life Skills Program (K-12), and 1:1 paraprofessionals with intensive medical needs and/or behaviors as determined by Special Services/Program Directors.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assist teachers with preparation of class materials.
• Maintain records and data on a daily basis.
• Work with students with significant social/emotional/developmental needs to carry out instructional and behavior intervention plans.
• Must be able to understand and implement a very structured behavioral support plan.
• Monitor student activities on the playground and lunchroom.
• Assist with: lifting, transferring, feeding, toileting and personal care based on student needs
• Manage significant student behaviors and non-instructional needs as directed by the teacher.
• Ride the bus (as needed) with students to and from school.
• Other duties as assigned by the teacher or Special Services Director.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• New applicants and current employees out of classification:

AA (or higher) degree or completion of 2 years of secondary education

(72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits).

ETS Test with a score of at least 461

• Good health, be able to pass a physical.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Knowledge of correct lifting and transferring of physically fragile students.
• Must qualify to work in the proximity of children under the conditions of a WSP/FBI background check.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Right Response Trained or willingness to be trained.
• Positive team player.
• Demonstrated success in an educational setting.
• Has experience or willingness to be trained as an Intervener.
• Demonstrated understanding of disabilities (special education coursework, education degree, previous work experience).
• Successful work with students who have significant disabilities.
• Follow explicit behavioral directions for individual students.
• ASL (American Sign Language) experience preferred.
• Bilingual skills preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Representation: Public School Employees, Ellensburg Chapter
• Salary: PSE Salary Schedule
• Benefits: SEBB
• Applicant must attend Right Response De-Escalation Training

BENEFITS: Health insurance benefits for employees working 630 hours or more per year include medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability plans through the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). School employees | Washington State Health Care Authority

Retirement benefits provided through the WA State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). State of Washington: Department of Retirement Systems

189-190 Day Employees - Paid leave benefits to include 12 days of sick leave, 3 personal leave days. Prorated if applicable.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

This Job description is intended to provide an overview of the requirements of the position. As such, it is not necessarily all-inclusive, and the job may require other essential and/or nonessential functions, tasks, duties, or responsibilities not listed herein. The District reserves the right to add, modify, or exclude any essential or nonessential requirement at any time with or without notice. Nothing in this job description, nor by the completion of any requirement of the job by the employee, is intended to create a contract of employment of any type.

Applicants of diverse backgrounds encouraged to apply.

Ellensburg School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities 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 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 Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, Rhonda Schmidt, 509-925-8011, Rhonda.Schmidt@esd401.org ; Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Lori Gylling, 509-925-8115, Lori.Gylling@esd401.org . Address for both coordinators: 1300 East Third Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926.