Open until filled.  This is a Temporary Classified position, 4 hour/day at May Street Elementary School. This position will begin immediately and is anticipated to run through June 10, 2025. 

Application Process:

Current District Regular Employees:

Submit your interest letter in TalentEd/Recruit & Hire.  

External Applicants (including Substitutes and District Coaches):

Complete an electronic TalentEd/Recruit & Hire application. Include the following (all materials need to be

included in your online application packet):  

• Letter of interest addressed to Patricia Ortega-Cooper, Director of Equity and Family Partnerships;
• Current resume;
• Three (3) recent letters of reference or provide the names and contact information for three (3) professional references;
• Unofficial college transcripts or passing score on the CBEST or equivalent Paraprofessional rigorous knowledge test. Official transcripts will be required upon hire.

All materials need to be incorporated and uploaded into your TalentEd/Recruit & Hire application. 

Position Overview:

The job of "Para-Professional" is done for the purpose of facilitating student success in academic and interpersonal skills through independently implementing District approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities/outcomes; addressing specific educational needs of students; providing a safe and optimal learning environment, and providing direct feedback to students, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations, goals, representing the district as needed in special education meetings, etc.  

In collaboration with the HRCSD Director of Family Partnerships and schools’ leadership, the Family Engagement Specialist is responsible for developing and employing strategies to promote effective communication and cooperation between home and May Street Elementary School. This person will deliver direct family education activities to support students and families.

 Essential Paraprofessional Job Functions:

• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of supporting teacher’s expectations, developing methods for improvements and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Assesses and records student achievement for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents and administration regarding students’ progress, expectations, goals, etc.
• May assist teachers for the purpose of implementing curriculum.
• Collaborates with school personnel, parents and various community agencies for the purpose of improving the quality of student outcomes, developing solutions and planning curriculum.
• Instructs students for the purpose of improving their success in academic, interpersonal and daily living skills through a defined course of study.
• Directs instructional assistants, volunteers and/or student aides for the purpose of providing an effective school program and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Monitors student activities (e.g. classroom, lunch, grounds, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment.
• May prepare teaching materials and reports (e.g. grades, attendance, anecdotal records, etc.) for the purpose of implementing lesson plans and providing documentation of teacher and student progress.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance to meet the needs of the students and the expectations of the District.
• Reports incidents (e.g. fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a positive learning environment and adhering to Education Code, district and/or school policies.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with District Family Engagement Specialist and School Student Support Specialists/Counselors 
• Complete needs assessments for our families
• Foster positive relationships and open communication between families and school staff
• Engage families in two-way communication to problem-solve barriers to student success (attendance, engagement, behaviors, academic achievement, social-emotional needs)
• Serve as a liaison with the community to connect families to community agencies and resources
• Maintain accurate data  of activities conducted and services provided
• Organize and deliver parent education classes and workshops based on identified needs
• Participate in district and school activities to understand programs and offerings available for students and families
• Ability to be flexible with hours for support after school and in the evening. Work hours vary depending on the schools and family needs
• Other duties as assigned 
• Recruit and engage parent volunteers in accordance with district volunteer processes

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A minimum of two (2) years of college-level studies or 4 years of directly related experience working in an educational environment
• Ability to work with student and families with varying educational, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are required.
• Ability to integrate equitable practices district-wide for the purpose of promoting equity in family engagement. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-directed with strong organizational skills.
• Valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation to travel to different work sites.
• Willing to be embedded in the community and longevity to the position.
• Initiative for identifying resources within our community for our parents and families.
• Ability to collaborate with staff and community organizations to promote enriching opportunities for students
• Ability to maintain updated student records and files and ensure confidentiality of all records.
• Ability to provide appropriate and timely information and data when working in a collaborative team.

Education Required:  Possess the equivalent of 72 quarter credits of college coursework (equivalent to an Associate degree), or have passed the CBEST (California Basic Education Skills Test) or PRAXIS Paraprofessional Assessment, or have directly related experience working in an educational environment.  Bachelors degree preferred.  Will need to submit official college transcripts or test results, if hired. 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Required:

• Skills to perform instructional activities, communicate with parents, students, staff and community, basic arithmetic calculations, operate standard office equipment, use English in verbal and written form, use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Knowledge of principles of child development and instructional processes.
• Abilities to work as part of an instructional team and be willing to be flexible in working with a wide variety of students and tasks; sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, understand and carry out oral and written instructions, maintain confidentiality of student records, meet schedules and deadlines, read/interpret/apply rules, regulations, policies, rapidly learn methods and materials used in a variety of instructional situations. Significant physical abilities include lifting/reaching/handling, talking/hearing conversations, near/far visual acuity.
• English/Spanish Bilingual skills preferred.

Required testing:

Any offer of employment made by Hood River County School District to an external candidate is contingent upon satisfactory results of:

• Drug screening tests for any illegal drug or substance classified in Schedules I through V under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 811 to 812. This includes, but is not limited to, marijuana, mind-altering substances or narcotic drugs such as hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, or any other illegal drug or controlled substance, except those federally recognized as legally prescribed by a physician and used as directed.
• Post-offer physical abilities assessment.
• Nationwide criminal history verification - a background check for any convictions directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Unless otherwise required by law, only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the applicant from employment.
• Fingerprint-based nation-wide background clearance.

HOOD RIVER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Disabled persons may contact Hood River County School District at 541/387-5016 for additional information or assistance.  Speech or hearing-impaired persons may contact Hood River County School District for assistance through the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 1-800-735-2900.