Non-Permanent Paraeducator

About the Department

Paraeducator 

Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Vancouver, WA

Note – This is a non-permanent, school year-based position and is not scheduled to work during annual school closures. This position is expected to continue the remainder of the 2025/26 school year and may be extended into the 2026/27 school year.

This recruitment will tentatively close on September 15, 2026. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision at any time.  It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. Applicant materials are reviewed weekly.  

Our Agency: The Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) is an educational community and statewide resource committed to ensuring all deaf and hard of hearing students in Washington reach their full potential. Our agency offers a variety of services including academic, residential, outreach services, and professional development. CDHY celebrates all language experiences and deaf culture. We are committed to providing the best individualized learning experience for all students we serve.  Washington School for the Deaf is the campus school for the Center and offers educational programming for preschool through age 21 in Vancouver, WA. 

Our Staff: Our employees are more than just workers. They are part of a community, network, and family. Each staff member serves as a role model to students. We're looking for people that can contribute, grow, think, and dream. We thrive in a culture that embraces diversity and rewards imagination. CDHY is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion! Our agency strives to create an inclusive and diverse learning community with emphasis on access, success, and equity by recruiting, retaining, and ensuring the success of diverse students, faculty, and staff. CDHY aims to build a community that values and respects one another by providing the best learning environment for faculty, staff, and student success.

About the position: 

The Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth is seeking to fill a non-permanent Paraeducator position. This position provides classroom assistance and direct instruction to deaf and hard of hearing students per the direction of the classroom teacher. Paraeducator placement can vary by classroom and age group. Paraeducators may be assigned to work with students in an ongoing one-on-one capacity as needed. This position are located at the WSD campus location and telework options are not available. This position is expected to continue the remainder of the 2025/26 school year and may be extended into the 2026/27 school year. 

Position schedule: 

Monday-Thursday 7:30m-4:00pm

Friday 7:30am-1:30pm

Paraeducators receive a paid, on-duty lunch as they are responsible for the supervision of students during the school lunch period.

Position Duties

• Provides instruction and supervision of students in various educational settings including classroom, job environments and off-campus settings (field trip locations). 
• Works directly with students to carry out lesson plans and activities.
• Modifies instruction to meet the individual learning needs of students, to include adapting language, assisting with reading for comprehension, providing students with choices to ensure engagement and comprehension.
• Supervises and corrects student behavior per student's individual behavioral plans.
• Administers tests, quizzes, and assists with various assessments.
• Participates in various meetings to advocate and report on student development and assists academic leadership by providing input for student's learning and overall wellness needs.
• Supervises students during passing times and the school lunch period.
• Provides a positive learning experience for students through professional action and behavior.
• Provides instruction to students by demonstrating positive and professional interactions with others.
• Maintains positive relationships with students by fostering an environment of openness and honesty.
• Provides a safe environment for students by communicating concerns or information pertaining to student's wellness, safety, and learning needs.
• Acts as a mandated reporter, committed to reporting any concern of neglect or abuse of students to the appropriate authority.
• Participates in student's learning and development by reporting and communicating any relevant information regarding individual student's needs.
• Participates as an active participant on various teams and committees related to student development and learning.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Fluency in ASL and written English.
• Strong knowledge of Deaf culture.
• Some experience working in an education setting with pre-k-12th grade students. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Willing and able to work with students from Pre-K – 12th grade.  
• Willing and able to adapt to changes in assignment as needed, including providing ongoing one-on-one support to students as assigned.

• Must be willing and able to lift, push or pull up to 30 lbs
• Must be willing and able to walk distances in and around the WSD campus and grounds
• Must be willing and able to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
• Must be willing and able to work outside.
• Must be willing to travel to various field trip locations to monitor students. 
• Must be able to successfully pass state and federal background checks.
• Must be willing and able to be a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect.

Applicants must also meet one of the following minimum qualifications for paraeducator certification:

• Have received a passing score on one of the assessments approved by the Professional Educator’s Standard board. 
• Hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Have earned 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at the 100 level or higher at an accredited college or university.
• Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. 

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Paraprofessional certification or ability to obtain paraprofessional certification within one year of employment.
• Two or more years experience working in an educational setting for deaf and hard of hearing children.
• Vocational training experience.

Other Qualifications

CDHY is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The candidate selected for this position will be required to pass federal and state criminal background screening. 

This position includes representation option with the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). 

This position is eligible for benefits (medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life insurance).  

This position is ineligible for retirement. 

Please provide your resume, cover letter, and at least 3 professional references.

Remote/Telework options are not available for this position. 

This is a school year-based position and is not scheduled to work during annual 

school closures, which includes winter, spring and summer break. This position does not receive spread pay and there is no guarantee of additional work opportunities during school closures. Employees may cash out accrued vacation leave during the school breaks. 

Salary information: 

This position is paid in accordance with the Washington General Government pay scale at a Range 39 with dual language (5%) premium pay.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email the Human Resources office at [email protected]. 

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov