Special Education Preschool Paraeducator 04/2024
JOB DESCRIPTION
Puyallup School District
PESPA Level III
Special Education - Preschool Paraeducator
Purpose Statement:
The purpose of this position is to support our district's preschool program which provides services for preschool age
students with developmental delays. Students may have a wide variety of disabilities ranging from mild to severe in the
areas of speech, motor, social, academic, and cognitive skills. Responsibilities vary with the individual assignment, but
typically include instruction of students, monitor student behavior, student hygiene, classroom housekeeping, and
preparation of materials, testing, and data collection/reporting.
Essential Functions
- Instructs/tutors students individually or in a small group setting under the direction of certificated employee(s)
- Acts as an instructional resource for classroom teachers
- Assists in the evaluation of student needs and in preparation of appropriate lessons and materials in collaboration
with certified personnel
- Helps prepare and adapt lessons and activities with teacher approval, to be used as classroom activities and
instruction
- Facilitates student involvement in school activities
- Attends to the personal hygiene needs of students, including diapering, toileting, catheterization, dressing and
wheelchair transfer. May lift children when necessary to accommodate personal hygiene needs
- Maintains and/or assists with student behavior including maintenance of positive student behavior
- Assists with the supervision of students during building activities, such as assemblies, building emergency drills
and special programs
- Monitor students with medical plans (possible seizures)
- Assist certificated staff with de-escalation and restraint based on individual student plans and approved district
training
Other Functions
- May attend building meetings and events i.e. staff meetings, open house, and/or related in- service
activities/workshops
- May serve on building committees
- May be called upon to provide bus riding support
- May attend program meetings and events, i.e. department meetings, open house, and or related in- service
activities/workshops
- Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work
environment
- Performs other related duties as assigned
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Must meet minimum state requirements for Paraeducators
Knowledge and Skills
Full working knowledge and skills required to perform assigned tasks
De-escalation training required
Some experiential skills required to perform assigned tasks
Intermediate oral/written communication skills required
Primary responsibilities require basic curriculum skills
Special Education Preschool Paraeducator 04/2024
The job frequently is required to function in complex situations
Responsibility
- Tasks require some independent judgment with consultation of supervisor or administrator
- Decisions are made within assigned tasks
- Decisions are made to achieve structured results
- Occasionally required to resolve unexpected issues
- Occasional discretion and access to confidential/privileged information
- High risk or impact if errors are made
Planning & Organizing
- Planning/organization of own work product
- Limited reporting required
- Collecting and some assessment of data or reporting
Working Conditions
- Moderate Interruptions
- Limited Deadlines
- Few emotionally charged interactions
- Work requires moderate safety precautions
- Limited risk/exposure to weather conditions
- Frequent risk/exposure to human borne pathogens
- Work regularly performed under moderate safety precautions
- Moderate exposure to weather conditions
- Frequent risk/exposure to human borne pathogens
- Requires special safety or health precautions associated with adverse conditions when working with students
- Moderate exposure to noise
- Moderate standing (31-60%)
- Moderate lifting (11-30 lbs. / occasionally)
- Moderate prolonged sitting (31-60%)
- Limited carrying (1-10 lbs. / seldom)
- Limited climbing
- Frequent transferring of students
- Frequent stooping and bending
- Moderate twisting
- Moderate fine dexterity
- Limited pushing and/or pulling
- Frequent toileting
- Frequent diapering
- Limited tube feeding
- Limited hand feeding
Required Testing
Successfully pass the Paraeducator Test
Clearances
Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance