Paraeducator Positions
Paraeducators are essential in providing students with additional support and attention in our educational programs for the special students of Yolo County.
Do you have a deep passion for making a significant impact on students? The Paraeducator position can be fulfilling and requires a positive attitude, empathy, organizational and good communication skills, as well as flexibility and patience.
Join us on our journey to transform education and use your distinct talents and skills to help us bring about meaningful, lasting change.
Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE) serves the Davis, Woodland, West Sacramento, Esparto, and Winters areas.
Programs & Services
As a Paraeducator, there are multiple programs you may serve in:
- Special Education programs for students with developmental issues, emotional disturbances, visual or hearing impairment, or suffer from severe handicaps (between 0 and 22 years old)
- Autism programs
Job Features
As a Paraeducator with YCOE, you have the opportunity to:
- Make a significant impact on the lives of students, helping them to succeed in their educational journey and achieve their goals
- Benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities, allowing you to continue learning and growing in your role
- Earn a competitive salary and benefits packages for Paraeducators, including health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off
- Work closely with teachers, administrators, and other educational professionals
- Work in a welcoming environment that values diversity, respect and collaboration
Who are we looking for?
Paraeducators
Education Required:
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- You should have either 48 semester units in general education or take and pass YCOE’s proficiency test consisting of reading, English comprehension, and basic math.
- It’s a plus if you have completed at least two years of college coursework, obtained an associate degree or higher, or passed a formal state or local academic assessment.
Experience Desired:
- Experience working with children or individuals with special needs is highly desired
- Experience working in a school setting is also beneficial
Substitute Paraeducators
If you have experience working with kids, we offer the ability to take a test and help you qualify!
Additional Requirements for all Paraeducators:
- Valid Driver’s License and evidence of insurability
- Pediatric First Aid and CPR certificate or obtain it within 90 days of employment
- Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
- Tuberculosis Clearance
- COVID-19 Vaccine Verification
Read our FAQs for more information on obtaining these qualifications.
Find Positions & Apply
Are you interested in making a real difference in students' lives? We invite you to apply for Paraeducator positions with YCOE!
Steps to Apply
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Find an open position on EdJoin, the sole platform to submit your application. Doing so will ensure that your application goes through our selection process.
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Our Hiring Managers and Human Resources Department will thoroughly review your application and determine if you meet our requirements.
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If you meet our qualifications, we will contact you to schedule an interview.
Need help applying?
Our staff is here to help you find a place on our team.
Questions about a current job posting?
Please contact Iris Tapia-Ramirez
Confidential Administrative Secretary
- YCOE Human Resources
- 1-530-668-3774 phone
- 1-530-668-3826 fax
- iris.tapia-ramirez@ycoe.org
- Mon-Fri, 8 am to 5 pm
Technical assistance with your application
Learn how to create an EdJoin Profile
Visit the EdJoin FAQs for quick answers. Otherwise, try contacting the EdJoin Job Seeker Help Desk
- 1-888-900-8945
- edjoinhelpdesk@sjcoe.net
After you’re hired as a Paraeducator, through experience and job training you will come to have the following skills, knowledge and abilities:
1. Skills
You will perform various tasks and must be willing to update your skills periodically to adapt to changing job conditions. Successful Paraeducators have skills in:
- Interpersonal interaction and communication
- Specialized communication tools with special populations
- Crisis intervention
- Lesson plan development and implementation
- Facilitating assessment measures
Paraeducators should also be willing to learn specific job skills such as Braille and de-escalation techniques.
2. Knowledge
Successful Paraeducators have knowledge in several areas, including:
- Basic math skills, such as calculations using fractions, percentages, and ratios
- Presenting information to others clearly and concisely
- Problem-solving skills
- Learning styles and requirements of students with developmental, behavioral, and emotional problems
- Group behavior and dynamics
- Safe practices in instructional environments
- How to maintain accurate records
- Basic universal health care practices
- Awareness of emergency school procedures and practices
3. Abilities
Being a Paraeducator requires flexibility and the ability to work effectively in various circumstances:
- Working with data using different processes
- Identifying issues and developing action plans
- Facilitating inclusive play group opportunities
- Providing Special Education coordination with teachers and specialists for parent training
- Working effectively with diverse individuals and groups
The purpose of the criminal justice fingerprint/background clearance is to ensure that individuals who work with children in schools do not have a history of violent or sexual offenses or other crimes that could put students or staff at risk. The clearance process helps to ensure that only qualified and safe individuals are hired for positions that involve direct contact with students.
Our Human Resources Department will provide a Live Scan form to obtain Fingerprint Clearance from the California Department of Justice (DOJ)and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The DOJ uses this information to conduct a thorough background check, including a criminal record review. The FBI also conducts a background check to ensure that individuals applying for a Paraeducator job have not engaged in criminal activity outside of California.
For more information, read “Fingerprint Information” from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious and contagious airborne disease that can be spread through the air when someone with active TB infection coughs, sneezes, or speaks. People who work in close contact with others, such as healthcare workers, teachers, and paraeducators, are at a higher risk of exposure to TB.
To help prevent the spread of TB in the workplace, the California Education Code requires all school employees, including Paraeducators, to undergo a tuberculosis risk assessment and obtain TB clearance before starting employment. This requirement is designed to protect both the employee and the students from the potential spread of TB in the school setting.
To get Tuberculosis Clearance for a special education teacher position in California, you need to follow these steps:
- Obtain a TB Test Order: To get a TB clearance, you will need to obtain a TB test order from a healthcare provider or clinic.
- Get a TB Skin Test or Chest X-ray: You will need to undergo either a TB skin test or chest X-ray to check for TB infection. A TB skin test involves injecting a small amount of fluid (called tuberculin) under the skin of your forearm and then checking the site 48-72 hours later for any swelling or redness. A chest X-ray involves taking an image of your chest to look for signs of TB infection.
- Submit the Results: Once you have undergone the TB test, you must submit the results to the Human Resources Department. You will receive a clearance certificate if you have a negative TB test. If you have a positive TB test, you may need to undergo additional testing to determine if you have an active TB infection.
- Follow-up Testing: Depending on the results of your initial TB test, you may need to undergo additional follow-up testing, such as a chest X-ray, to confirm that you do not have active TB.
It's important to note that the TB clearance is usually valid for four years. But, if you are exposed to someone with TB or develop symptoms of TB, you will need to undergo additional testing.
