Developmental Preschool Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The La Center School District has an opportunity for a Paraeducator II to support students in the Developmental Preschool program at La Center Elementary School.
Our Mission: The mission of the La Center School District is to create a supportive learning environment that empowers students to reach their fullest potential. We will do this in partnership with families, the community, staff and students to develop confident and self-reliant lifelong learners who can thrive in a rapidly changing, more technologically advanced and diverse society.
Position Summary:   Under the supervision of the building principal, the Paraeducator II supports the district's mission by providing academic, social, physical, and behavioral support to Special Education and General Education students in the Developmental Preschool Program in an atmosphere of warmth, cooperation and service to others.
Terms of Employment: Four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) when school is in session. The current work schedule is 7:20 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on regular student attendance days and 7:20 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on early release days.   Schedules are subject to change based on the needs of the district.  

• This position is covered by the SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• A valid CPR Card (or the ability to obtain a valid card) is required upon hire.
• Selected candidates may undergo appropriate applicant testing prior to being offered an interview.
• The successful candidate must be fingerprinted.  Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check and clearance by Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Duties will vary based on the assignment and may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Adapt classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the teacher for the purpose of providing an opportunity for all students in special education to participate in classroom activities
• Provide instructional services to students under the direction of a certificated staff member in order to implement IEP goals and/or remediation
• Perform student observation and assessment; provide verbal and/or written feedback to assist certificated personnel in evaluating students
• Confer with appropriate school personnel as directed by the teacher in order to evaluate special education student progress and/or implement IEP objectives
• Attend to the physical needs of students, including moving and positioning students to assist with personal hygiene and daily care (e.g. toileting, diapering, feeding, etc.) in order to provide appropriate care (as assigned)
• Implement academic instruction assigned by the teacher for individuals (one-on-one) or small groups to assist the students in meeting learning goals as described by their IEP and/or benchmarks
• Provide 1:1 student support as needed
• Implement behavioral plans and interventions designed by the IEP team in order to meet the needs of the students and provide a consistent environment
• Monitor students within a variety of school settings including, but not limited to, classrooms, playground, cafeteria, restrooms, hallways, bus loading zones, and parking lots
• Attend training meetings to broaden expertise in working with remedial students
• Participate as a member of the education team; may attend parent conferences at the discretion of the principal
• Administer tests, collect data, and report student progress
• Maintain accurate data collection records and assist with completion of reports
• Contribute to the collaborative effort of all staff to meet individual instructional needs of students through participation in staff meetings, in-service programs, workshops and seminars
• Ability to participate in activities beyond the regularly scheduled work day
• Communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, and community partners
• Attend required trainings
• Maintain a neat, clean personal appearance and traits of a good role model for students; work apparel should be appropriate for a safe and professional work environment
• Provide a safe learning environment for all students
• Regular attendance to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position
• Perform other related duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience

• Proof of high school graduation or equivalent and at least ONE of the following is required:
  • Associate's Degree or equivalent (48 semester/72 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university OR
  • A  passing score on a state-approved Paraeducator Assessment
• Willingness and ability to complete professional development courses required by the state of Washington towards Paraeducator certification
• Willingness and ability to complete professional development courses in student de-escalation strategies (e.g., Ukeru, CPI, etc.)
• A valid CPR card, or the ability to obtain a card, is required upon hire
• Successful completion of a basic skills assessment may be required prior to offer of employment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with students who have disabilities
• Experience working with students in preschool
• Prior experience working in a school environment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Flexibility and an attitude of cooperation with the ability to move from classroom-to-classroom to provide services throughout the district
• Ability to learn and utilize various computer software programs and assistive technology
• Ability to understand individual students' needs and help them grow
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a diverse population of staff, students, families, and community members while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor and supporting an atmosphere of warmth, cooperation and service to others
• Demonstrated ability to treat all staff, students, parents, and community members with dignity
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with students and staff
• Strong self-initiative with an ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a flexible and cooperative manner in order to build and maintain effective teams and partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team member and analyze situations to define issues, draw conclusions, and determine resolutions and/or action plans
• Punctual, with the ability to meet deadlines, adapt quickly to change and maintain flexibility in a dynamic work environment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all district matters
• Understand and implement district safety procedures
• Ability to incorporate working knowledge of Board Policies E-1 through E-4 into daily practice
• Ability to learn and follow school district policies and procedures

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Depending upon the assignment, some sitting, standing and stooping will be required to attend to the physical needs of students including feeding, moving and positioning students to assist with personal hygiene needs including, but not limited to, changing diapers and toileting
• Wear district-provided personal protective equipment as required for the assignment
• Some lifting may be required; ability to lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds with assistance is required

Salary:  $23.82 per hour; pay rates thereafter are based on the SEIU Salary Schedule

Benefits:  Eligible employees receive a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their qualified dependents. Employer-paid basic life, long-term disability, and AD & D insurance are available to the employee only.  Additional benefits include retirement through the Washington State Department of Retirement and optional supplemental benefits including supplemental life, long-term disability, FSA, DCAP, and deferred compensation.  Paid leave benefits include two (2) days of personal leave and ten (10)  days of sick leave per school year, pro-rated based on the employee's hire date.  Paid holidays include:  Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day following Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, and Memorial Day.  Labor Day is a paid holiday when the start of school precedes the holiday or when an employee returns to a regularly scheduled work week or an approved scheduled day before the holiday.  Juneteenth is a paid holiday when it falls within the employee's work year.  Additional available paid leave benefits and terms of paid holidays are governed by the SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
 

La Center School District No. 101
725 Highland Road*PO Box 1840
La Center, WA  98629

La Center School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, 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: 

Civil Rights Compliance and Gender Inclusive Schools Coordinator
Matt Johnson
Address: 725 NE Highland Road, La Center, WA 98629
Telephone Number: 360-263-1700
Email: matt.johnson@lacenterschools.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinator
Jami Phelps
Address: PO Box 1840 La Center, WA 98629
Telephone Number: 360-263-2131
Email: jami.phelps@lacenterschools.org

Title IX Coordinator
Matt Cooke
Address: 725 NE Highland Road, La Center, WA 98629
Telephone Number: 360-263-1700
Email: matt.cooke@lacenterschools.org