PARAEDUCATOR INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALTY

LAKEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 306
P.O. Box 220 • North Lakewood, WA 98259-0220 • Snohomish County • (360) 652-4500
CLASSIFIED POSITION
COUGAR CREEK ELEMENTARY
PARAEDUCATOR INSTRUCTIONAL SPECIALTY
COMPREHENSIVE SKILLS PROGRAM
1:1 SUPPORT FOR STUDENT
POSTING: 2025/2026-158
Announcement Date: July 13, 2026
Screening Date: July 26, 2026
Applications Due By: Open Until Filled
Responsible To: Building Principal
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: This position is 6.75 hours per day following the student
calendar. The Paraeducator will work with a student to provide individualized academic
assistance and aid with student’s health and sanitary needs during the school days as well as to
and from school. Under the supervision of licensed/certificated staff, including building
administrators, the paraeducator assists in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs
students in the regular classroom and/or or in a specialized program; assists in implementing
plans for instruction; monitors student behavior during non-classroom time; provides
information to appropriate school personnel—job duties vary according to the school/program
needs, i.e., generalist, severe/profound, behavior disorder, hearing impaired, autism, etc.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual
must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Provides social, emotional, behavioral, and educational support for students with
significant disabilities; provides for the academic, physical, health and safety needs of
students.
• Confers with teacher(s) (special education and/or mainstream teacher) on a regular basis
for the purpose of assisting in evaluating special education student progress and/or
implementing IEP objectives; implements components of Individual Education Programs
(IEP's) as required.
• Instructs students in a variety of activities in individual and group settings (e.g., academic
subjects, social skills, daily living skills, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional
objectives, implement plans for remediation of students’ deficiencies in accordance with
student’s individual educational program goals and ensuring students success in school.
• Assists in the maintenance of classroom resources, work area, students’ files/records
(e.g., adapting instructional materials, audio visual equipment, bulletin boards, etc.) for
the purpose of ensuring availability of items and/or providing reliable information.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school settings (e.g.,
bathrooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots, etc.) for the
purpose of aiding students and providing a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides direct academic, functional, vocational, and specifically designed instruction.

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• Directs and implements behavioral plans for students with behavior disorders or other
conditions for the purpose of assisting in meeting special education students’ needs,
protecting the safety of the child and others, and providing a consistent
environment; ensures the safety of students and staff when dealing with escalated
behavior based upon needs of students.
• Supports students with significant emotional regulation challenges.
• Serves as advocate and support of students with disabilities in their least
restrictive environment.
• Encourages and fosters student independence in all settings.
• Collects other data as directed by the case manager/teacher.
• Assists students requiring support in addressing personal care needs due to medical
condition and/or physical limitations for the purpose of allowing students to function in
school environment; some positions require toileting assistance.
• Responds to student medical needs within the scope of the position.
• Assists students, individually or in small groups, with lesson assignments (e.g., read
stories, listen to students read, providing writing assistance, reinforce lessons, provide
spelling practice, facilitate activities, computer learning programs, etc.) for the purpose of
practicing and/or reinforcing learning concepts and assisting students in reaching their
academic goals and grade level standards.
• Guides students in independent study (e.g. enrichment work, remedial work, etc.) for the
purpose of ensuring student success.
• Reports observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g., accidents, fights,
inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions, homelessness, etc.)
for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or
administrative personnel.
• Responds to emergency situations (e.g., injured student, disruptions, etc.) for the purpose
of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for
resolution.
• Demonstrates professionalism through conduct, punctuality and minimal absences;
models appropriate behavior for students.
• Attends functions as assigned (e.g., meetings, in-service presentations, trainings, etc.) for
the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills
Knowledge of :
• District policies and state and federal laws related to confidentiality, school records, and
mandated reporting.
Ability to:
• Demonstrate a commitment to the education of all children and youth
• Demonstrate cultural competencies and respect and value for all cultural heritages
• Adapt to a variety of working situations and learn related new skills
• Know and follow health, safety, and emergency procedures of the district
• Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct, including the requirements of
confidentiality
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing: listen non-judgmentally and clearly convey
information
• Prioritize in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands

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• Maintain effective and positive relationships with students, parents/guardians, district
administrators and staff in a multicultural and diverse environment; always maintain a
positive attitude
• Adapt to change and remain flexible
• Work cooperatively/positively in a team with staff, administrators, and support personnel
with a whole-child approach
• Remain calm in escalated or stressful situations
• Interact in a warm and understanding manner with students with special needs; work
one-on-one with students who exhibit negative behaviors, and manage behaviors in
proactive and affirming ways
Skill in:
• Developing collaborative working relationships
• Clear and effective oral and written communication
• Organization and time management
• Related educational computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, the
Internet, etc.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Required:
• High School Diploma or equivalent and at least one of the following:
o Have received a qualifying score on the Education Testing Service paraeducator
assessment as published by PESB; or
o Hold an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or
o Have earned seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits at the one
hundred level or higher at an accredited college or university; or
o Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with
the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.
• Training, or willingness to get training, in Right Response or other restraint/aversive
interventions
• In-district applicants must be able to report to this position within five business days of
being hired.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret in English effectively
• Ability to follow instructions in English in written and oral form
• Ability to write effectively in English
REASONING ABILITY
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete and abstract variables
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or list form
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that
must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this
position. Employees must have the ability to physically perform tasks relating to the position.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand,
sit, and occasionally crouch, kneel, or run as well as frequently bend or twist at the neck and
trunk.

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WORK ENVIRONMENT: There are no unusual environmental conditions. Most activities are
performed outdoors and may include classroom settings, lunchroom, or bus. Position may
require employee to supervise students in an outdoor setting under a variety of weather
conditions, including inclement weather.
Typically, the noise level in the work environment is moderate. The employee has responsibility
for the safety and well-being of others and must be able to interact with others.
EVALUATION: Completed at least annually by the employee’s immediate supervisor.
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The
individuals currently holding this position perform additional duties and additional duties may be
assigned.
Hours Worked Per Week: 6.75 hours per day following the student calendar
Wage Rate/Benefits: $26.34 - $33.78 (Per PSE Schedule A)
Probationary Period: Per PSE Agreement - Up to 90 working days
Current employee should submit a letter of interest including the job posting number to Tina
Bustad in Human Resources at [email protected].

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