Special Program Paraeducator, JTC/Separate Day School K-12 (Open Roster)

6.0 hours per day (One on one assignments), 9 months per year

6.5 hours per day (program), 9 months per year

This posting will be used to establish a roster to fill positions for the 2024-2025 school year.

This position has a two year stay in place due to the specialized training required for the position.  

Following receiving "Meets Standards" for advanced CPI training and passing of Ukeru training or other district-determined crisis response training, this position will receive an additional $10.00 per day.

Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Non-Exempt

Click Here for an inside view of Jim Tangeman Center.  Click Here for a look at the new Jim Tangeman Center.

JTC (Jim Tangeman Center) is a day treatment school, which focuses on teaching student’s self-regulation and coping skills so they can better navigate challenging social situations.  We teach academics, social skills, and self-regulation skills, while also providing weekly 1:1 mental health check-in’s for all students.  Our focus is on building relationships with our students and families, so we can address the areas where students need additional skills.

At JTC, our community pillars are Safety, Respect and Responsibility.  In our work with students, our goal is to increase their ability to be self-directed learners, who demonstrate Safe, Respectful and Responsible decisions in all area of their lives.

Using Restorative Justice as our lens, our goal is to build accountability and student responsibility within the school community, and reduce time that students are out of school and missing academic instruction.

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We appreciate your interest in employment with Vancouver Public Schools (VPS). All applications are considered and reviewed. The most qualified and competitive applicant(s) that possess directly related experience and expertise, training, and education may be invited to participate in the interview/selection process. As part of the selection process, the District conducts confidential reference checks to include former and present employers and also requires a criminal background investigation. Unfortunately, due to the number of applications received, not all applicants will receive an interview.

Résumés should include education, relevant experience (including current position), and skills which highlight the qualifications of the position to which a person is applying.

All district employees are encouraged to review their personnel file periodically to ensure that their file includes current and relevant documentation that supports their degree, education or credits, experience, training, etc., as it relates to qualifications described on job postings.

Failure to submit a full application package will result in disqualification.

Internal applicants must official transcripts to confirm education or ETS ParaPro Assessment results with application. 

External applicants must include official transcripts to confirm education or ETS ParaPro Assessment results with application.

Qualifications:  

• Documentation verifying a high school diploma or GED AND
• One of the following: official transcripts verifying an Associate’s Degree (90 quarter, 60 semester) OR 72 quarter or 48 semester credits from an accredited university, college, community college or business school; OR ETS ParaPro Assessment result of 455 or higher.  Click here https://www.pesb.wa.gov/paraeducator-certificate-program/current-paraeducators/minimum-employment-requirements/washington-ets-parapro-resources/ to view ParaPro Assessment information.
• One year of related experience working with children in an educational setting preferred
• Successful experience as part of an educational team preferred
• Experience which demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and skills in working effectively in a team environment, providing support to achieve the desired goal(s) for the classroom and/or program area
• Possess excellent problem solving, analytical, and conflict resolution skills and ability to think quickly
• Experience working with children with moderate to severe disabilities preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate with and appreciate individuals from diverse, socio-economic backgrounds
• Ability to act upon evasive and aggressive behavior of students
• Ability to attend mandatory training on the weekends and successfully pass the district CPI, de-escalation/physical restraint training
• Ability to learn and use a computer monitor, keyboard, and appropriate adaptive technologies
• Ability to successfully implement educational programs and manage student behavior with direction from the teacher(s)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to be flexible with assigned tasks and schedules
• Ability to develop relationships and supportive roles with children who possess mental or physical disabilities

Other Requirements:

• Ability to lift, move, physically restrain a child of the size required by the job
• Ability to independently and safely escort students around the school building and grounds
• Ability to observe the behavior of students, both visually and by listening, take data on behaviors, and to communicate those observations with other appropriate service providers
• Regular attendance to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position to achieve program requirements

Essential Functions:

• Treat co-workers, supervisors, students, parents and others with dignity and respect at all times
• Serve as a positive role model for students, and practices the behaviors that are expected of our students
• Work in a flexible and cooperative manner
• Work as a team member to assist the teacher in implementing and evaluating goals and objectives on individual student IEPs
• Participate in team meetings as appropriate for the purpose of providing observational input or acquiring information pertinent to the position
• Manage behavior and assist students during class activities in small groups or individually. Provide instructional assistance as directed by appropriate certificated staff. Subject areas may include academic subjects, basic life skills, social skills, community access, personal hygiene, swimming, communication, physical and /or occupational therapy exercises and job skills training. This will include assisting the teacher with preparing materials for lessons and maintaining data collection records as assigned.
• De-escalate students having an emotional/behavioral crisis. Carry out behavior management plans for individual students as appropriate.
• Produce and assemble teaching materials as directed by appropriate certificated staff. Assist with data entry, record keeping, and filing.
• Grade/correct papers and homework utilizing a rubric or key
• Observe assigned students as they enter/leave school grounds, in the cafeteria and in the community and intervene as appropriate to ensure the safety of students
• Attend training meetings to broaden expertise in working with students with special needs
• Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as assigned by administrator in alignment with their job classification

Benefits/Compensation:

Salary range:  New employees will start at the minimum hourly rate in the salary range.  However, employees who have verified prior years of service in a similar occupational status from other Washington School Districts or Education School Districts, may receive experience credit towards salary placement.  Salary schedules can be accessed here.

Benefits:  Employees who are anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits. Detailed information, including further eligibility criteria, can be found here.

Retirement:  Employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Eligibility is based on FTE. Detailed information can be found here.

Time Off:  Vancouver Public Schools offers paid holidays and paid time off, including but not limited to, sick, vacation, personal, and bereavement leave.  Additional negotiated leave options can be found in the associated Comprehensive Professional Agreement (CPA) for this position VAESP CPA.