High Needs Paraeducator

Position Type:
Paraeducators

Date Posted:
11/24/2025

Location:
Orting Elementary School For best consideration and initial screening of applicants, please submit your completed application materials on/before 12/4/2025.

This is a unique, blended role that offers a stable schedule by combining two vital support functions within our district: Paraeducator and Bus Aide.

DESCRIPTION:
High Needs Paraeducator: Work under the supervision of certificated staff in the classroom to provide instructional or other appropriate services and supports to students. This position will provide lunch break coverage for
Behavior Technicians and/or paraeducators who work one-on-one with students. This may be during the students' classroom instruction time, or lunch/recess time.

Bus Aide: Supports and monitor students often as a one-to-one support staff on the bus, enforcing rules, providing for a safe environment, and reporting behavior incidents to the Director of Transportation and bus driver.
Work schedule includes AM & PM bus routes to and from school, to include out of district travel.

REQUIREMENTS: Must meet the following requirements to move forward in the screening process:
Be at least eighteen years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent; and
(a) Have received a qualifying score on the Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment; or
(b) Hold an associates degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or
(c) Have earned seventy-two quarter credits or forty-eight semester credits at the one hundred level or higher at an accredited college or university; or
(d) Have completed an apprenticeship as a paraeducator, in a program registered with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Applicable AA degree or equivalent work experience and/or training preferred.
• Ability to relate to students, staff and parents.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to utilize appropriate strategies and techniques to provide effective instructional support.
• Work Skills Assessments: Achieve minimum acceptable levels/scores in reading, writing, math and technology assessments.
• First Aid/CPR Certified

PERFORMANCE, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The statements contained herein reflect general duties to describe the primary functions of this position and should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.

High Needs Paraeducator:

• Assisting students with toileting including catherization
• Feedings, oral and tube feeding (excluding the non-oral administration of medication)
• Suctioning
• Transferring non-ambulatory students
• Physical restraint in accordance with the aversive therapy plan
• Diabetic health plan management (with evidence of completion of PDA training)
• Work with students individually or in small groups in a variety of content areas/subjects.
• Assist staff, as appropriate, in the design, implementation, and evaluation of instructional programs and student progress.
• Assist in student supervision and discipline.
• File papers, run errands, operate duplication machines, attendance, minor clerical duties.
• Lead group discussions.
• Work with students individually or in small groups in a variety of content areas/subjects
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Bus Aide:

• Assist special education students in boarding and departing from bus.
• Assist with securing-students properly in their seats (keeping students belted if applicable)
• Rides on school buses to attend to the needs of special education students
• Monitors students at all times
• Documents and reports incidents
• Follows and implements medical, safety and behavior intervention plans to include diabetic health plan management (with evidence of completion of PDA training)
• Engages with students in bus environment
• Maintains and/or assists with student supervision and discipline including maintenance of positive student behavior
• Attends to the personal hygiene needs of students, may include assisting students with toileting including catherization, feedings, oral and tube feeding (excluding the non-oral administration of medication), suctioning
• Assists students with bus emergency drills
• Assists with transfer if students
• Uses physical restraint in accordance with the aversive therapy plan
• Perform other duties as assigned

REPORTS TO: Instructor, principal, and Director of Transportation

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Work Year: 180 days per year plus paid holidays that fall within the work year calendar
Hours: 5.50 paid hours per day
Schedule: Monday - Thursday:
Bus Aide 7:30am - 9:00am and 3:30pm - 5:00pm
High Needs Para 11:15 am - 1:45 pm
Friday:
Bus Aide 7:30am - 9:00am and 2:00pm - 3:30pm
High Needs Para 10:30am - 1:00 pm
**Schedule may be adjusted to align with Student and Building needs.
Salary: 2025-26 PSE Salary Schedule A
2.50 hours as High Needs Paraeducator:
High Needs Paraeducator I ($26.35 - $29.14 DOE), High Needs Paraeducator III* ($29.46 - $32.43 DOE)
3.0 hours as Bus Aide:
$26.35 - $29.14 DOE
The Bus Aide position is paid at the higher rate of a High Needs Paraeducator 1 due to the increased responsbilities of this position while riding the bus.

* Higher pay rate for:

• Satisfactory completion of Educational Para-Professional Apprenticeship Program or
• Accredited AA Degree (official transcripts are required) or
• Seventy-two (72) quarter credits or forty-eight (48) semester credits (official transcripts are required)

CONDITIONS:
The preceding description of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary by the employer.

BENEFITS:
Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours an employee is anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Employees anticipated to work 630 hours or more in a year are eligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, long-term disability and the employee assistance program.

The district's healthcare benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Benefit eligible employees also qualify to optionally participate in deferred compensation/403B plans, dependent care flexible spending/health savings accounts, and additional life insurance and/or added long-term disability coverage through employee contributions. Sick leave, vacation, personal leave, and any paid holidays are aligned with bargaining agreements by association, as listed on our website.

Other benefits include VEBA, which is a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) and serves as a way to contribute dollars on a pre-tax basis for out of pocket benefits costs, whether it be for medical, dental or vision premiums, or any other out of pocket medical expenses. This benefit is available, based on the outcome of annual voting of employees by group.

The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills, or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. The District reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Orting School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, marital status, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination and their offices are located at 121 Whitesell St NE, Orting, WA 98360:

Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX/ADA Coordinator
Carrie Joy, Director of Human Resources
360-893-6500, ext. 4028
joyc@orting.wednet.edu

Section 504 Coordinator
Dr. Jennifer Westover, Executive Director for Student Support Services
360-893-6500, ext. 4027
westoverj@orting.wednet.edu

Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint can be accessed here.

Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

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