Mead School District

2323 E Farwell Road
Mead, WA 99021
Human Resources
509-465-6010
Fax: 509-465-7680
<a href="http://www.mead354.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.mead354.org</a>
October 13, 2026
CLASSIFIED VACANCY
2026/2027 School Year
Highland Middle School
Para Educator Special Education - Resource Room (Leave Replacement)
M, T, TH, F: 7:45 am - 2:35 pm
Wednesdays: 8:15 am - 2:40 pm
6.25 hrs/day
JOB SUMMARY
The job of the Instructional/Special Services Paraeducator is to provide individualized assistance to an assigned student(s) whose individualized education program (IEP), health plan, behavior intervention plan, safety plan, or other documented educational plan identifies a need for dedicated support. Under the direction of certificated staff, administrators, and qualified health personnel, the paraeducator supports the student’s access to instruction, communication, participation, behavior, personal care, health, mobility, and safety throughout the school day. The position promotes the student’s independence and inclusion while providing the level of support required by the student’s documented needs.
Essential Functions
<ul>
<li>Provide direct, individualized support to the assigned student(s) across classrooms, common areas, and other school settings.</li>
<li>Provide instructional support and assistance in teaching and learning as needed in small or large group situations.</li>
<li>Follow and implement student’s IEP, health plan, behavior intervention plan, safety plan, emergency protocols, accommodations, modifications and other plans, procedures, strategies, or tasks as directed by an administrator or certificated staff.</li>
<li>Support participation in academic instruction by reinforcing teacher-directed lessons, adapting materials as directed, prompting task completion, and assisting with communication or assistive technology.</li>
<li>Use prompting, modeling, redirection, reinforcement, de-escalation, and other approved strategies while maintaining the student’s dignity and supporting increased independence.</li>
<li>Implement trained health-related or personal care procedures as assigned, which may include toileting, diapering, feeding, tube feeding, catheterization, positioning, transfers, mobility assistance, medication-related support, or emergency response procedures.</li>
<li>Provide close supervision and proactive safety support when the student is at risk of elopement, injury, aggression, self-injury, medical emergency, or another identified concern.</li>
<li>Assist with transitions, sensory regulation, social interaction, communication, daily living skills, and access to school routines and activities.</li>
<li>Support inclusion with peers and avoid unnecessary dependence by using the least intrusive level of assistance appropriate to the situation.</li>
<li>Observe, collect, and accurately document academic, behavioral, medical, communication, personal care, or other assigned data; promptly communicate relevant information to appropriate staff.</li>
<li>Monitor for changes in behavior, physical condition, emotional regulation, or safety and immediately report concerns in accordance with district and building procedures.</li>
<li>Maintain confidentiality regarding the student’s disability, medical information, behavior, educational records, and family circumstances in accordance with district procedures and applicable law.</li>
<li>Collaborate respectfully with teachers, specialists, nurses, related-service providers, administrators, substitutes, and other team members serving the student.</li>
<li>Participate in required training related to the student’s specific needs, including MANDT, FCS, first aid/CPR, medical procedures, behavior support, crisis prevention and response, mobility, lifting, feeding, communication systems, or assistive technology.</li>
<li>Prepare, organize, and maintain materials, equipment, data records, and student supports needed for the assignment.</li>
<li>Remain attentive, responsive, and physically available to the assigned student throughout duty periods, including less structured activities and transitions.</li>
<li>Report to assigned duty areas promptly and reliably; follow established schedules while remaining flexible when student needs or school circumstances change.</li>
<li>Work independently within established plans and staff direction while seeking assistance whenever the student’s needs exceed the employee’s training, authority, or available supports.</li>
<li>When the assigned student is absent or does not require continuous support, assist with other instructional or student-support duties as directed.</li>
<li>Build and maintain a positive, caring relationship with all students.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>Work cooperatively and respectfully with all members of the school community.</li>
<li>Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for diversity among all members of the school/department or district community.</li>
<li>Provide first aid in case of illness and/or injury and report accidents to the building office.</li>
<li>Perform other duties as directed by the building principal.</li>
</ul>
Minimum QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Training:
<ul>
<li>High school diploma or equivalent</li>
<li>Current first aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain promptly</li>
</ul>
Para educators shall be required to be highly qualified upon hire into a continuing position as defined by state law.
<ul>
<li>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</li>
<li>Obtained an associates (or higher) degree; OR</li>
<li>Completed and passed the ETS ParaPro Praxis Assessment (qualifying score of at least 455); OR</li>
<li>Completed and passed the Master Teacher Assessments (2 assessments, qualifying score of at least 65%); OR</li>
<li>Completed and passed the Pearson Paraprofessional assessment: (qualifying score of at least) OR</li>
<li>Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council</li>
</ul>
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
<ul>
<li>Demonstrated skill in communicating effectively with all staff, students, and as a team member, both verbally and in writing</li>
<li>Ability to work with students in a warm and confident manner</li>
<li>Knowledge of student safety rules and procedures</li>
<li>Ability to maintain strict confidentiality</li>
<li>Previous experience working with students with disabilities is preferred</li>
</ul>
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 $19.86 – Max $23.01. 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 <a href="https://www.mead354.org/about-us/department-directory/human-resources/new-page" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.mead354.org/about-us/department-directory/human-resources/new-page</a> Mead policies and Procedures can be accessed online at <a href="https://www.mead354.org/about-us/board-of-directors/board-policies" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.mead354.org/about-us/board-of-directors/board-policies</a>
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, October 20, 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, October 20, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A COMPLETE APPLICATION
<ul>
<li>Your resume.</li>
<li>Your current Cover Letter , which speaks specifically to your abilities in the position for which you are applying.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>Copy of your High School Diploma or High School Transcripts .</li>
<li>A copy of your college transcripts or proof of passing one of the Master Teacher Assessments or Parapro test.</li>
</ul>
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.

Paraeducator Special Education - Student Support (Leave Replacement)

Paraeducator Special Education - Student Support (Leave Replacement)

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