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Behavior & Education Support Specialist (Paraeducator)

Puget Sound Educational Service District seeks a skilled Behavior & Education Support Specialist to provide educational and behavioral support for severely behaviorally challenged youth attending the ReLife School in Puyallup, Washington. ReLife School offers a full continuum of multidisciplinary services based on student strengths and needs to King and Pierce County districts and Bainbridge Island. Instruction is delivered to students in grades 2 through 12 in a site-based model focused on academics with a strong social emotional component incorporated. The program encourages active parent and community involvement to serve the whole child. The mission of ReLife is “Meeting academic and behavioral needs, one student at a time."

PSESD is one of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts and state approved charter and private schools in Washington. Serving over 39% of Washington’s K-12 public school students, our agency provides critical services designed to ensure that our students are ready to enter school, achieve at high levels in the K-12 system, and succeed in postsecondary endeavors. We are committed to becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization driven by equity in education. To learn more about PSESD, visit www.psesd.org/about-psesd.


Minimum Qualifications

  • High school diploma, GED, or its equivalent and a qualifying score of 461 on the Education Testing Service ParaPro Assessment; or
    • A) an Associate Degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or
    • B) seventy-two (72) or forty-eight (48) semester credits at the one hundred level or higher at an accredited college or university; or
    • C) completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council
  • Experience working with youth in a mental health private, university, and/or special education setting

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience providing support to emotionally/behaviorally challenged students in a self-contained classroom (direct experience) and/or in in a resource room (indirect experience)
  • Experience with de-escalation techniques
  • Experience supporting teacher in delivering lessons, or in planning and delivering content-specific instruction

Please note, applicants should describe their experience meeting minimum qualifications (and preferred qualifications if applicable) in cover letter and resume as part of the application and salary placement process. Unofficial transcripts may be required as part of a complete application.

JOB-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

ABILITY TO CHANGE: Exhibits the ability to change and adapt. Contributes to change efforts in a creative and positive manner.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes responsibility and ownership for successfully accomplishing work and Agency objectives, and delivering results. Sets high standards of shared performance for self and others.

BOUNDARY SETTING: Maintains professional relationships between self and others by establishing parameters regarding interpersonal interactions. Engages in discussions about work constraints while maintaining positive relationships.

PERSONAL SAFETY: Aware of surroundings and knowledge of potential safety risks in the workplace – schools, district facilities, community settings, or student homes. Mitigates safety risks by adhering to Agency policies and procedures

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals and make decisions.

 

ANTIRACIST LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

CULTURAL PROFICIENCY: Articulates and applies historical context of racism and understands the current reality of students and communities of color in order to support racial equity. Actively demonstrates a commitment to supporting equity and inclusion, and serves as an advocate with colleagues, partners, and communities to meet the Agency's End and goal of becoming an Antiracist Multicultural Organization in support of eliminating the opportunity gap.

RACIAL EQUITY ADVOCATE: Recognizes, supports, and engages in dismantling institutional racism. Partners with and is accountable to those with whom we are in a transformational relationship, including children, families, and communities of color.

RACIAL EQUITY MINDSET: Demonstrates awareness of biases, internalized racial superiority and oppression. Leads with a racial equity lens and actively uses the racial equity tool in meaningful ways.

TRANSFORMATIONAL VALUES: Contributes to valuable and positive, antiracist transformation in individuals, organizations, and social systems in an effort to actively progress across the antiracist multicultural institution continuum. Is able to foster a sense of community and shared purpose via collaboration and cooperation with others inside and outside PSESD. Embodies the principles and practices that form the Agency’s culture. Operates from an abundance mentality that recognizes opportunities, and is optimistic and realistic about the future.


Location: Puyallup
Job type: School Schedule (208 days/1664 hours per school year)
Hiring Salary Range: $26.32 - $34.54 hourly (Salary Band C)
Full Salary Range: $26.32 - $38.12 hourly (Salary Band C)
Department: Learning, Teaching & Family Supports

We attract, retain, and motivate exceptional people with an equitable and competitive compensation package. Salary offers consider candidate qualifications, experience and internal equity. New hires at Puget Sound ESD start employment on or around the 1st and 15th of each month. For awareness and planning purposes, linked here are the dates through August, 2025.


Benefits

We offer comprehensive benefits:

  • Medical, dental, and vision
  • 24 annual leave days per year, pro-rated for school schedule staff
  • 12 sick days
  • 12 paid holidays
  • Participation in Washington State Department of Retirement System
  • Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan
  • Subsidized ORCA card
  • Free parking
  • Electric Car Charging Stations (Renton office)

Open until filled; for best consideration, submit complete application by Sunday, April 14, 2024. 

Jobs are listed here for information only. To apply for a specific open position, you must be a registered applicant in PSESD - School Jobs and apply specifically for each position for which you wish to be considered.


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PSESD is committed to having a diverse workforce and encourages all candidates meeting the minimum qualifications to apply.
800 Oakesdale Avenue SW Renton, WA 98057 | www.psesd.org/careers