Early Learning Playgroup Family Resource and Instructional Assistant - Roosevelt

Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: September 2, 2025

FTE: 0.9375

Hours per day: 7.5 hours/day plus a 30-minute lunch break for a total of 8 hours

Salary Level: PA4

ParaPro Test or College Level Credits: $26.81 - $32.76/hour

AA degree: $27.56 - $33.51/hour

BA or higher degree: $27.81 - $33.76/hour

Union/Work Year: Tacoma Federation of Education Support Professionals Local 461/ 182 workdays

Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools

Additional Information:

This position requires completion and attaining of the state mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. The Paraeducator Certificate Program offers statewide standards-based training for all paraeducator/Education Support Professionals (ESP) and supports a career growth ladder for those who wish to advance their career as a paraeducator or pursue a teaching profession.

Staff will be required to complete 28 hours of training on the Fundamental Course of Study provided by the district. The first two days of FCS training will be required to be completed within four months of the date of hire, and the second two days within six months of the date of hire, or by September 1 of the next school year. The general certificate is then earned by a paraeducator who completes ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training.

SUMMARY

This position serves as the assistant to the Playgroup Associate instructor. The assistant supports the promotion of each child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth, and helps maintain a positive, child-centered learning environment. Responsibilities include assisting with the implementation of child development, parent involvement, and parent education services in alignment with Early Learning Developmental Benchmarks and specially designed instruction. This role also supports the delivery of health, family, and educational services for students.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1.Establishes and maintains a mutually respectful partnership with families; communicates with parents using a variety of formats, including print, voice or e-mail and school visits; supports families in learning to advocate for their children’s needs at school and in the community.

2.Supports a variety of activities in a developmentally appropriate scope and sequence to provide positive learning experiences to advance the students’ language, literacy, math skills, creativity, physical health, social, emotional development and individual development.

3. Collaborates with Early Learning Playgroup Associate to prepare and implements daily activity plans that enable students to function as individuals and group members among peers and adults; selects individualized and group activities based on information gathered through assessments, observation, interviewing, and screening; establishes learning goals and objectives in collaboration with the parents and Student Services facilitators; tracks and records developmental progress and learning outcomes.

4. Models and monitors behavior in all program activities; redirects and teaches appropriate behavior to students as needed; may supervise students entering or leaving building between classes and boarding buses .

5.Complies with required documentation required by State and federal performance standards in a timely and confidential manner; and follow-up with families to encourage and/or facilitate student attendance in the program.

6.Attends classroom team meetings and staff meetings; participates and takes an active part in annual program assessment. Attends ongoing professional development opportunities provided by Student Services staff that support job duties.

7. Collaborate with Student Services facilitators and administration to assist in the planning and offering of monthly family meetings and activities based on identified interests of families in collaboration with families and the classroom team; encourages family participation in program parent activities.

8.May prepare student snacks by receiving food from kitchen and preparing classroom tables; encourages students to assist; encourages and promotes conversation during sacks; may track data specific to the individual student.

9.Assists with and delivers individual and group instruction in a variety of learning activities; monitors and records each child’s progress for the purpose of promoting each child’s developmental growth. Provides input into the daily activity plans and assists in the process of observation, assessment, and developing students’ individual goals; attends student support team meetings.

10. Provide assistance to students requiring support with toileting and hygiene routines. Support students in navigating the school environment safely and comfortably. Collaborate with educators and specialists to implement individualized care plans.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1.Maintains and updates knowledge and skills required for success in the position by participating in professional development and in-service activities as needed or as assigned.

2.Assists classroom staff in management of students; provides classroom coverage when substitute is unavailable; performs related duties as assigned, on a temporary basis.

3.Regular, reliable, predictable attendance and physical presence is an essential job requirement and critical to the performance of the work.

4.Performs related duties as assigned.

CONDITIONS

Requires frequent travel within the community; required to work flexible hours including evenings; may be exposed to infectious disease; required to work with, and, if appropriate, defuse, difficult and sensitive situations and/or people; may regularly travel to other District sites; required to lift and carry up to 25 pounds or team lift 45 pounds, bend, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, climb, and be mobile.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Associate degree or 72 credit hours of post-secondary education or passing state test to demonstrate knowledge, demonstrated ability to assist in instructing students, completion of the ParaEducator Fundamental Course of Study (FCS); one year of experience in working with special needs individuals who may have severe disabilities or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability required to perform the work and that meets the federal and state requirements.

Allowable Substitution

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be evaluated by the Human Resources Department for comparability.

Licenses/Special Requirements

CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to be trained within the first 90 days of employment.

Required to attend District restraint training and maintain certification.

Maybe required to complete cleansing intermittent catheterization (CIC) training.

Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of childhood intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development.

Knowledge of health and education assessment screening processes.

Knowledge of applicable Early Learning program and philosophy and components of the program

Knowledge of early childhood education and child development.

Knowledge of child assessment and observation methods.

Knowledge of community resources related to family needs.

Skill in obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information.

Skill in problem solving and handling crisis situations.

Skill in effective child and group management strategies.

Skill in operating a personal computer and related software and programs.

Ability to produce and maintain documentation and records.

Ability to relate positively with families and small children.

Ability to organize and promote parent education.

Ability to coordinate, organize, prioritize, and follow-through on a variety of tasks.

Ability to plan, organize, coordinate activities and curriculum to meet individual and group needs.

Ability to work with special needs students and adapt curriculum in order to meet needs.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to work as a cooperative team member.

Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socioeconomic setting.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Tacoma Public Schools 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, 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:

• • Civil Rights Coordinator: Tiffany Davis-Brantley, 253-571-1252,civilrights@tacoma.k12.wa.us
  • Title IX Coordinator: Wayne Greer, 253-571-1191,wgreer@tacoma.k12.wa.us
  • 504 Coordinator: Elise Friedrich-Nielsen, 253-571-1065,efriedr@tacoma.k12.wa.us
    
    Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.

Closing Date/Time: Tue, 17 Jun 2025

• 

• Tacoma Public Schools

• 253-571-1157

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