Substitute Paraeducator 2026-2027

Nine Mile Falls School District

Job Title: Substitute Instructional Paraeducator

The Right Support at the Right Moment

Nine Mile Falls School District is seeking Substitute Instructional Paraeducators who understand that support can change the direction of a student's day. Some students need extra help getting started. Some need a calm voice during a hard moment. Some need someone beside them who believes they can get through the next step, even when the next step feels bigger than it looks.

This role often supports students who are working through more than academics. You may help with routines, transitions, classroom work, or moments when a student needs space to reset. The assignment may change from one day to the next, so flexibility matters. So does patience. A sense of humor helps too, because school days do not always follow the script, and sometimes the script appears to have been written by a squirrel with a clipboard.

Substitutes in this role are trusted to follow direction, support teachers, and treat students with care. The work is close to students in a real way. It asks for someone who can stay steady, notice what is needed, and keep showing students that they are worth the extra mile. For some students, that kind of support is not a small thing. It is what helps school feel safe enough to try again.

Step in for a day and be the steady support that helps a student keep going.

Salary: Current Washington State Minimum Wage

Benefits:As outlined by the Policies and Procedures of Nine Mile Falls School District. Nine Mile Falls policies and Procedures can be accessed online at https://www.9mile.org/page/policy-and-procedures

Limited Defined Employees will accrue 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked. Employees who work 630 hours in a school year will become benefit eligible for the remainder of the school year. Standard benefits include, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability. Benefits are provided through the School Employee Benefits Board (SEBB) at https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employeesPositions anticipated to work 70 hours or more per month for at least 5 months over a 12-month period are eligible for Retirement through the State Department of Retirement Services.

Work Location: Nine Mile Falls School District

Nature and Scope of Job:

Paraeducators are an integral part of the learning and teaching team. Under the direction of the principal or designee, paraeducators assist with multiple levels of support in schools. The instructional paraeducator assists in providing instruction to and supervision of students in a variety of settings.

These settings include, but are not limited to: cafeterias/eating areas, classrooms, playground/recess, crosswalks, hallways, and bus/loading areas. ALE are non-traditional learning environments that provide expanded learning opportunities for students.

LAP/Title provides targeted assistance to students with specific academic needs. Preschool paraeducators foster learning through intentional play, exploration and language-rich environments. Resource Room supports and delivers systematic instruction designed by special education teacher.

The instructional paraeducator may also perform clerical and office tasks in support of teachers and other district staff.

Position Reports To: Building Administrator / Superintendent

Classification: Substitute Instructional Paraprofessional

Work Day: Monday - Friday; Hours Vary

Begin: 2026-2027 School Year

Primary Job Functions

• Assignments may include: Alternative Learning Experience (ALE), Categorical Programs (LAP/Title), General Classroom, Kindergarten, Library, Locker Room Supervision, Lunch/Recess Supervision, Office Support, PE, Resource Room, Self-Contained.
• Under the direction of the principal or designee, paraeducators assist with multiple levels of support in schools.
• The instructional paraeducator assists in providing instruction to and supervision of students in a variety of settings.
• LAP/Title provides targeted assistance to students with specific academic needs.
• Preschool paraeducators foster learning through intentional play, exploration and language-rich environments.
• Resource Room supports and delivers systematic instruction designed by special education teacher.
• The instructional paraeducator may also perform clerical and office tasks in support of teachers and other district staff.
• Support implementation of teacher-designed instructional activities and classroom routines.
• Conduct teacher/therapist-designed instructional experiences.
• Work with individual and small groups of students.
• Supervise, model, and teach expected behaviors across educational settings, including classrooms, lunchroom, playground, hallways, etc.
• Foster social and language development through play activities and active engagement with children.
• Promote students' best interests through positive role modeling and student advocacy.
• Assist in the preparation of instructional materials and perform clerical duties associated with general instruction program.
• Consistently and respectfully respond to student needs while maintaining confidentiality
• Monitor highly structured environments.
• Implement teacher-directed programs with students on a one-to-one and/or small group basis in special education classroom as well as during general education inclusion time.
• Assist student(s) with diet, feeding, personal care, hygiene, movement, and mobility needs.
• Assist with learning tasks/activities appropriate to students with moderate to significant disabilities and aligned to IEP goals, under direction of special education teacher.
• Assist with implementation of positive support interventions and academic support for identified students.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Required Qualifications (Traits, Education, Experience, Training, physical requirements, etc.):

• High school diploma or equivalent. Para Educator/Instructional Assistant/Secretarial applicants must.

• Unofficial Transcript of an Associate of Arts degree; or

• Have earned seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits (100 level or higher) at an institution of higher education (provide unofficial transcript); or

• ETS Parapro Assessment (455); or

• or Pearson Paraprofessional Assessment (220); or

• The Master Teacher Inc. Paraeducator Online Training Program (65%); or

• Completed a registered apprenticeship program.

• Ability to work and communicate successfully with students, teachers, parents, and administrators.

• Physically capable of lifting students (50 pounds), kneeling, and bending.

• Ability to respond appropriately to active and disruptive behaviors.

• Competent in basic math, reading, and communication skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to meet highly qualified paraprofessional standards.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience and training in working with students who receive special education/remedial services.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, bend at neck and back, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry; squat, kneel, climb stairs or ladders, reach overhead, lift overhead, and knee stand.

Environmental Demands:

• Air-conditioned building.
• Occasional exposure to weather extremes.
• Fluorescent/LED lighting.

APPLICATION STEPS

Submit a complete application through RedRover.

Upon Hire:

If an offer of employment is made, new employees must complete a background check for criminal history, including a fingerprint check by the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful outcome of the criminal history background check and approval by the Nine Mile Falls School District Board of Directors.

In the Nine Mile Falls School District

… each student will succeed

… effective instruction is paramount

… quality leadership matters

… reflection improves our practice

… we are each other's best resource

… positive relationships are foundational to our success

We continue to act in a way that matches our beliefs.

For questions, please contact:

Kyle Stussi, Human Resources Specialist

(509) 340-4302

The Nine Mile Falls School District 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:

Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator

Jeff Baerwald

10110 W Charles Road

Nine Mile Falls WA 99026

509-340-4300

JBaerwald@9mile.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinator

Michelle Mace

10110 W Charles Road

Nine Mile Falls WA 99026

509-340-4300

MMace@9mile.org