2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Employees working in early learning/preschool settings are vital to the success of the program and to each child’s development. Young children learn through a combination of intentional play and exploration and language-rich environments. A hands-on approach where adults foster exploration, language, and positive relationships is integral to an early learning environment. Employees in this role must be able to foster learning through language and play, must be able to move quickly to promote safety as well as have mobility that allows floor activities and gross motor activities/movement.

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP, pronounced E-Cap) is funded by the State of Washington and provides an educational setting for children, as well as family support and involvement. ECEAP primarily serves children and families who meet eligibility requirements based on age and family income. The ECEAP/Preschool Instructional Paraeducator supports observation and assessment of children’s development, supports implementation of curriculum and instruction, and assists in maintaining the learning environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

An employee hired for this assignment may perform all or some of the responsibilities defined below:

• Participate in required 320 hours per year of child direct service hours (when 10 or more students are present)
• Support implementation of teacher designed instructional activities and classroom routines
• Conduct teacher/therapist-designed instructional experiences
• Work with individual and small groups of students
• Supervise, model, and teach expected behaviors across educational settings, including classrooms, lunchroom, playground, hallways, etc.
• Implement individual and school wide behavior support plans and positive interventions
• Foster social and language development through various activities and active engagement with children
• Promote students’ best interests through positive role modeling and student advocacy
• Administer assessment materials as trained or delegated
• Assist in preparation of instructional materials and perform clerical duties associated with instructional program
• Consistently and respectfully respond to student needs while maintaining confidentiality
• May administer medications pursuant to Board policy and pursuant to state and federal law
• Assist students with diet, feeding, personal care, hygiene, movement, and mobility needs, as required
• Monitor highly structured environments
• Support the observation and assessment of students’ development
• May lead or support age/developmentally appropriate de-escalation/restraint procedures
• Prepare and facilitate family-style meals and snacks for children
• Attend training and meetings as required by ECEAP professional standards
• Support data entry and recordkeeping in ECEAP and student management systems, as well as daily student data, as needed
• Perform first aid

The preceding list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

Each of the positions at the specific school serves as one unit of the whole team, and as such, is subject to assignment to tasks in other areas within the classification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be able to work in a team setting and take direction
• Ability to balance firm and consistent discipline with positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS)
• Ability to remain calm in times of high stress
• Ability to move quickly to meet student needs, maintain safety and respond to crisis
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to supervise recess/unstructured activities, including ability to respond quickly to an emergency or student need
• Must possess organizational skills and the ability to work independently
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and co-workers
• Ability to learn and apply both positive and corrective behavior management techniques
• Ability to use proper grammar, spelling, and language in both oral and written communication, as well as basic math skills
• Willingness to be trained in district-approved de-escalation and restraint procedures at the first available opportunity
• Demonstrate basic computer skills, including the ability to create and modify documents and to adapt to new technologies
• Willingness to be trained in lifting techniques and fine/gross motor skills.
• Ability to learn and operate a variety of educational/office equipment
• Must have access to reliable transportation

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Required to deal with a wide range of student, staff and public behaviors and needs in a positive and service-oriented manner
• May experience shifts in work schedule and/or work site according to district needs
• May occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students or parents

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Amount of sitting, standing and walking may vary depending on the age of students and classroom assignments. Generally, the job requires 20% sitting, 40% walking, and 40% standing.
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: the employee frequently will stand and walk and use hands for repetitive grasping and significant fine finger dexterity. The employee is frequently required to sit, bend at neck and back, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry; squat, kneel, climb stairs or ladders, reach overhead, lift overhead, and knee stand.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent (documentation required prior to beginning employment)
• 12 college quarter hour credits in Early Childhood Education or Initial or higher Washington state Early Childhood Certificate, or a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential awarded by Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition.**    **A professional development plan may be developed that results in required credit    hours.
• All instructional paraeducators must meet one of the following*:
1. Have a passing score on the state-approved Paraeducator Assessment (https://www.ets.org/parapro), OR
2. Attained an AA degree or higher, OR
3. Have earned 72 quarter or 48 semester credits with college-level courses (100 level or higher)

          * Documentation required at time of application

• Experience working with students in an educational setting and/or evidence of an interest in supporting learning experiences preferred

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• ECEAP and Paraeducator Classifications on Public School Employees of Cheney Salary Schedule
• School year position: 180 days; hours per day and days per week vary by position; district may revise assignment and job location as needed

CLEARANCES

WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

EVALUATION

The employee shall be evaluated per the terms of the Public School Employees (PSE) Collective Bargaining Agreement by the building principal, department director, or designee. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above Duties and Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Must complete school safety training within thirty (30) calendar days from hire date and annually thereafter
• Must acquire and maintain CPR/First Aid card within sixty (60) calendar days from hire date and as scheduled thereafter
• Must fully complete the Paraeducator Fundamental Course of Study within two years of hire
• Attend designated trainings as specified by supervisor and/or department director in order to maintain knowledge/skills
• Participate in required 320 hours per year of child direct service hours (when 10 or more students are present)

HISTORY

Job description and format updated: July 2021

Cheney 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, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog 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: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Tom Arlt, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4530.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER