Special Education Teaching Assistant (1801)

University Instructors is recruiting for immediate placement of dynamic special education classroom aides to support our local partner district. As an aide or paraprofessional, you will directly impact students in special education programs. You will also partner with teachers to provide instruction, behavior management, and primary care to students.Position Summary:This position is responsible for providing assistance to students under the supervision of certificated staff in Behavior Intervention Programs and other learning environments where behavior program-placed students are integrated.Essential Duties:This list of essential job functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Depending upon individual assignment, the employee may perform all or a combination of several of the following duties:Assist Behavior Program students in one-to-one, small group, and integrated settings in all instructional areas including academics, socialization, adaptive behavior, and behavioral growth.Assist students in dealing with conflict, expressing themselves in appropriate ways, and improving their behavior with an emphasis on successful reintegration.Assist teachers in the preparation and delivery of materials specific to student’s individual learning needs.Assist students with gross and fine motor strengthening programs and activitiesAssist students with any areas of speech/language affecting successful communicationAssist student with making speech sounds; improving rhythm, fluency, and voice quality; and helping correct oral motor problems and cognitive communication impairmentsAssist students with vision-related trainingAssist students with wheelchair mobility, dressing, and feedingAssist in recreational, playground, and/or physical education activitiesCoordinate activities and meet with teacher(s) on a regular basisAdminister tests and evaluate student progress in topical areas and grade assignments and tests as directedAssist teacher(s) in the maintenance of student records and gradesSupervise students and enforce assigned area rulesSupervise and correct students as necessary to maintain a safe environment, with a focus on PositiveBehavioral Intervention and SupportsSupervise and oversee student activities and safety in assigned areasMay answer phones, maintain records, collect and distribute materials, inventory, and order and processmaterialsMay escort students to and from locationsCollect and maintain data logs regarding student’s learning goalsUse computers and related technologies as needed by the program goalsAttend meeting or trainings as required, with emphasis on behavioral intervention and student de-escalationMaintain consistent presence at assigned work-siteand regular work hoursProfessionally interact with students, staff, and publicComply with all district policies and proceduresPerform related duties as assignedAbility to assist in the carrying out of Emergency Response Protocols, Behavior Intervention Plans, and duringsafety incidents requiring reasonable forceDesired Skills:Ability to organize and oversee activitiesAbility to be fair, consistent, and respectful at all times when working with childrenAbility to be consistent, calm, and positive during all student interactions, which may include during times of verbal and physical escalationsAbility to deal with students in a warm and confident mannerAbility to remain flexible to changes in assignments or situationsAbility to complete assigned tasks in a timely mannerAbility to follow written and oral instructionsAbility to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of staff, students, and the public in a multi-cultural environmentAbility to use necessary equipment, machinery, and toolsKnowledge of basic academic subject areas, such as spelling, writing, reading, and mathKnowledge of safety rules, regulations, and proceduresBasic knowledge of applied behavioral analysis, including how antecedents and consequences affect student behaviorKnowledge of learning and instructional styles appropriate to assigned grade levels and individual studentsKnowledge of child development concepts, developmentally appropriate curriculum and individualized learning processes for children, indicators of child abuse and neglect, and factors affecting low-income familiesSkills in written and oral communicationsSkills in handling confidential mattersSkills in operating a PC (personal computer) utilizing district adopted softwareSkills in learning and interpreting assignments, procedures, rules, and regulationsSkills in encouraging and tutoring studentsSkills in communication in two languages (English, Spanish, etc.) if applicableHigh School Diploma or equivalentEvery Student Succeeds Act requirements (official college transcript with evidence of 72.0 college-level quarter credit hours OR 48.0 college-level semester credit hours OR official college transcript with evidence of Associate’s or higher degree OR Official 4-Page Parapro Score Report with score of 455 or higher)Completion of an additional 70 hours of professional development, within three years, to obtain the General Para-educatorCertificateAbility to stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, kneel, and stand for long periods of timePosition could require diapering, toileting, and feeding of special needs studentsAbility to assist in student de-escalation and physical intervention when neededAbility and willingness to work with students who bite, kick, hit, and can be verbally aggressiveAbility to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds and assist with Emergency Response Protocols regarding student restraintCourse verification of basic behavioral knowledge regarding Applied Behavioral Analysis and Behavior Intervention Plans (e.g. ESD 171 offerings, The Evergreen State College E-learning site, or other recognized agency/institution approved by Special Education Department)Knowledge and course verification of student de-escalation and safe methods of physical intervention during crises (e.g. CPI, Life Space Crisis Intervention, or other recognized agency/institution approved by Special Education Department)1st Aid & Adult/Child CPR training (completed within 30 days from date of hire and to be maintained for the duration of this job)Right Response training to be maintained for the duration of this job (completed within 30 days from date of hire and to be maintained for the duration of this job)Experience and/or training with cultural, ethnic, and language diversity preferredSuccessful Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint ClearanceProof of Immunization (if born 1/1/57 or later)I-9 Employment Eligibility in compliance with the Immigrations Reform and Control ActCompletion of all district-required training thirty (30) calendar days from hire dateWork Conditions:Duties are primarily performed within a school setting. Physical requirements include frequent standing, sitting, walking, and lifting. The role often requires getting up and down from the floor or low seating, assisting students with mobility, and occasionally running or moving quickly to ensure student safety. Additional physical tasks may include helping students with transfers, positioning, toileting, or use of adaptive equipment, as well as supporting students during physical activities or transitions between classrooms. Some assignments are subject to strict deadlines, especially when adapting and delivering programs to meet the needs of diverse student groups. The position involves regular interaction with students and parents who may be experiencing heightened emotional states. Employees are expected to use de-escalation techniques, maintain a calm and supportive demeanor, and implement behavior intervention strategies as needed to ensure a safe and positive environment. Students may exhibit behavioral challenges, including verbal outbursts or physical behaviors such as hitting, kicking, biting, eloping, or throwing objects. Employees must be prepared to respond appropriately to these situations, following established safety protocols and behavior management plans. Employees may be required to provide both emergency and non-emergency health-related services to students, including basic first aid, assisting with prescribed medical procedures, or responding to health emergencies according to school protocols.Evaluation:The position is a district-wide position dependent on the needs of each Behavioral Intervention Program and shall be evaluated periodically by the Building Principal/Executive Director of Special Education and/or assigns pursuant to the currently established district procedures and evaluation criteria. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above essential job functions.$25.34-$27.16 per hour | Monday-Friday | 6.5 Total WorkdayUniversity Instructors, LLC is an equal opportunity employer.

Created: 2026-04-04