July 9, 2026
Vacancy Notice
ParaEducator
Special Education – Developmental Learning Center
Northwood Middle School
Monday – Friday/Continuing
6.5 hrs./day - 8:45 am - 3:30 PM
JOB SUMMARY:
The Paraeducator (Special Education) provides support and assistance in meeting the instructional, educational, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students receiving special education services. The duties of the position may vary based upon specific assignment. Duties may also change at any time based upon administration or teacher reevaluation of student or program.
Essential Functions:
- Supports teachers in meeting the instructional, educational, behavioral, and social emotional needs of students with disabilities.
- Provide instructional support and assistance in teaching and learning as needed in small or large group situations to reinforce learning objectives.
- Assist teachers with various duties related to the instruction of students such as observing, recording data, charting behavior, and classroom preparation.
- Follow and implement plans, procedures, strategies, or tasks as directed by an administrator or certificated staff.
- Follow district and local governing agency policies for protecting the health, safety, and well-being of children.
- Assist in maintaining safety, behavior, decorum, and order in common areas including, but not limited to, cafeteria, playground, corridors, study halls, gymnasium, auditorium, locker rooms, parking lots, crosswalks, detention rooms, and school busses.
- Understand and utilize the behavior management plans of the classrooms, building and programs being supported.
- Assist teacher with crisis intervention while following a student’s individual behavior plan or ERP (Emergency Response Plan) as written by IEP team.
- Provide any information requested by teachers/administrators for development of the IEP.
- Work collaboratively with the Special Education teacher, classroom teachers and other para educators.
- Assist in preparation of materials that are designated as needed in the lesson plan.
- Learn and apply approaches/strategies to use when working with students in an instructional setting.
- Demonstrate interest in working with students, including those with special needs.
- Encourage and model expected behavior.
- May assist in collection of data on student mastery of behavior goals/objectives using criteria/checklist developed by special educator.
- Fade supports to individual students, as directed by teacher(s). Document fading of supports per student’s IEP, as directed by teacher(s).
- Build and maintain a positive, caring relationship with all students.
- Toilet/diaper and feed students, if necessary; may include tube feeding and catheterization.
- Work cooperatively and respectfully with all members of the school community.
- Communicate with Special Education teachers regarding questions, concerns or comments related to students’ academic and social progress.
- Communicate with Special Education teacher regarding questions about support and/or instructional plans for students.
- Learn and apply approaches/strategies to use when working with students in an instructional setting.
- Demonstrate interest in working with students, including those with special needs.
- Encourage and model expected behavior.
- Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for diversity among all members of the school/department or district community.
- Keep documentation and maintain organized records on a daily basis.
- Participate in training courses in order to enhance skills.
- Perform basic computer skills such as word processing and email.
- Report to assigned duty areas promptly and reliably.
- Remain flexible to changes in assignments or situations.
- Work independently with minimal supervision.
- Provide first aid in case of illness and/or injury and report accidents to the building office.
- Complete the fundamental course of study and other mandatory training annually or as required.
- Perform other duties as directed by the building principal.
Minimum QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Training:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Current first aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain promptly
Para educators shall be required to be highly qualified upon hire into a continuing position as defined by state law.
- Completed at least 2 years of study totaling 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits at the 100 level or higher at an accredited college or university; OR
- Obtained an associates (or higher) degree; OR
- Completed and passed the ETS ParaPro Praxis Assessment (qualifying score of at least 455); OR
- Completed and passed the Master Teacher Assessments (2 assessments, qualifying score of at least 65%); OR
- Completed and passed the Pearson Paraprofessional assessment: (qualifying score of at least) OR
- Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated skill in communicating effectively with all staff, students, and as a team member, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to work with students in a warm and confident manner
- Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
- Previous experience working with students with disabilities is preferred.
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 job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
A person working in this position will exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally while carrying, pushing, and/or pulling to move objects. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds unaided and may lift over 50 pounds with the assistance of another person and/or a lift assist. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit; some stooping, kneeling, and/or crouching; and significant fine finger dexterity. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or ordinary infectious diseases carried by students.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT and Salary:
As outlined by and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) of the Mead Support and Service Professionals and Policies and Procedures of Mead School District. A typical school year consists of 180 days plus 10 holidays, September through June of each school year. The individual number of days may vary by position as defined within the CBA.
The salary range for the position is: Min $19.13 – Max $22.16. Positions qualifying for the intensive care stipend as defined within the contract earn an additional $2.00 per hour. Salary placement will be at step 1 on the scale for the position unless otherwise noted within the contract. CBAs and Salary Schedules can be reviewed from the Human Resources page of the Mead School District website at https://www.mead354.org/about-us/department-directory/human-resources/new-page Mead policies and Procedures can be accessed online at https://www.mead354.org/about-us/board-of-directors/board-policies
Each employee shall accumulate twelve (12) days of sick leave per year. An employee employed less than a full work year shall be entitled to a proportionate part of the sick leave allowance. A maximum of three (3) days of annual leave are provided for all employees based on the employee’s scheduled employment hours per day to be used for an absence during work hours, or to be accumulated for the purpose of cash out.
Employees anticipated to work more than 630 hours per year will be eligible for Benefits through the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Standard benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability. Positions 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.
APPLICATION:
MEMBERS of Mead Support and Service Professionals interested in this position need to apply for this position via the mead.schoolspring.com internal link. Please complete the required information on the internal application, including uploading the required documents to your profile, on or before 11:59 PM, July 24, 2026.
All other applicants interested in this position must apply for this posting through a link to our online applicant system found on the website at mead.schoolspring.com. Upload the required documents to your application. Below is a list of required materials. If you have questions regarding this process, you may contact Shelli Nemec at the District Administration Building or email shelli.nemec @mead354.org . The application, along with all required documents must be completed on or before 11:59 PM, July 24, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A COMPLETE APPLICATION
- Your current Letter of Interest , which speaks specifically to your abilities in the position for which you are applying
- Three (3) dated and current (within the last 3 years ) letters of recommendation, or 3 completed online reference checks (email addresses required for references) or a combination of 3 letters and completed online checks.
- Copy of your High School Diploma or High School Transcripts .
- A copy of your college transcripts or proof of passing one of the Master Teacher Assessments or Parapro test.
Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed before employment commences. The successful candidate for this position must be fingerprinted. Employment is contingent upon clearance by the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Mead School District #354 is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against otherwise qualified applicants on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, disability, neurodivergence, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance procedures may be directed to the District’s Title IX/Civil Rights Officer, Josh Westermann, Section 504 Coordinator, Heather Havens and/or Affirmative Action officer, Keri Hutchins, at (509)465-6000 or via mail to 2323 E. Farwell Rd., Mead, WA, 99021. Persons who may need some accommodation in the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Office at (509) 465-6010.
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