2025-26 Paraeducator - Restorative Practices/PBIS @ River Ridge High School

North Thurston Public Schools•Lacey, WA

About The Position

This position assists staff in maintaining an environment conducive to learning by working with students with emotional and/or social needs on a one-on-one basis or in a small group setting. The District represents a diverse community with a population of approximately 40% students with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the District’s diverse populations.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent AND Either an Associate’s Degree or 72 quarter credits of college courses numbered 100 or above OR the ETS Para Pro test.
Knowledge of general classroom procedures.
Knowledge of correct grammar, spelling, and English usage; knowledge of basic academic skills.
Familiarity with possible student disorders (ADHD, bi-polar, autism, etc.).
Familiarity with different developmental stages and age appropriate behaviors.
Basic computer knowledge and general office machine skills.
May require documented holding of current CPR and First Aid certifications or willing to receive training within 90 days of employment.
Ability to respond to different multicultural and diverse needs of families and the community.
Ability to organize and set priorities.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, remain flexible, and work effectively under pressure.
Ability to maintain confidential information.
Ability to interact with students in a warm, confident manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the general public.
Ability to support and value the efforts of ongoing cultural community projects and events.
Must model and maintain exemplary attendance and punctuality.

Nice To Haves

Prefer two years of experience in a classroom environment involving daily interaction with students, children and the public; school district experience preferred.
Training in education or teaching experience may substitute on a month-to-month basis for one year of experience.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Work collaboratively with teachers, students, administrators, parents, and other staff members to create, implement, and monitor behavior goals and contracts.
Communicates with students, parents, and community members with respect and confidentiality and consistent with the direction and guidance of staff, administrators, and school/district policies and procedures.
Promote the power of relationship and community building as a motivator.
Respond to challenging student behavior through authentic dialogue, self-reflection, empathy and accountability
Facilitate restorative group strategies and activities
Assist in promoting a restorative mindset and a culture of accountability in the school
Provide student support and supervision throughout the school-day in academic and non-academic settings.
When necessary, and in accordance with individual student Behavior Intervention and/or Aversive Intervention plans, engage in physical transportation or physical restraint of students as directed in District training. This may include maintaining necessary documentation of such procedures and ensuring that all elements of individual student plans and building level crisis response plans are followed.
Use behavior management plans to assist staff with problem solving ideas to maintain an environment conducive to learning.
Prioritize daily tasks and ensure implementation of those tasks in an efficient manner.
Document behavior of students to help teacher assess progress with education plans. Actively and openly communicate with teachers and other certified staff to maintain effective and consistent behavioral plans.
Maintain strict confidentiality in matters of dispute resolution, student records, medical records, classroom issues, interaction with families and the public.
Listen to concerns, use language appropriate for the student’s understanding, and observe body language before making active decisions.
Use interpersonal and communication skills to influence, persuade, motivate, and resolve conflicts or sensitive problems.
Supervise limited discipline measures such as time-out, loss of recess, removal from classroom, if being disruptive to the learning environment.
Assist staff in limited clerical duties such as making copies, operating a fax machine, answering telephones, ordering supplies, and record keeping.
Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
Performs other duties as assigned by administrator and/or designee.