Human Resources, Benefits, & Employment

Employee Referral Program - Guidelines

Employee Referral Program - Frequently Asked Questions

Employee Referral Program - Current Hard-to-Fill Positions

To view our vacancies or start/modify an APPLICATION for all Certified, Non-Certified and Temporary Positions please CLICK HERE

Complete the online application only. Please do not forward additional information at this time. Once your application has been submitted, a confirmation email will be sent to you specifying the documents required if called for an interview. Thank you.

The Deer Oaks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free service provided for you, your dependents, and household members. This program offers a wide variety of counseling, referral, and consultation services, which are all designed to assist you and your family in resolving work and life issues in order to live happier, healthier, more balanced lives. From stress, addiction, and change management, to locating child care facilities, legal assistance, and financial challenges, qualified professionals are here to help. These services are completely confidential and can be easily accessed 24/7, offering you around-the-clock assistance for all of life’s challenges.

www.deeroakseap.com

Username:  WPSBOE 

Password:  WPSBOE

Human Resource Department staff members are available to counsel employees and their family members on plan details of the benefits available to them, including health, dental, and life insurance; tax-shelter annuities; and the Employee Personal Assistance Program. The department constantly strives to find cost efficiencies in providing benefits to Wethersfield Public Schools employees, while improving the quality of service. 

2023-2024 Employee Benefits Portal

2024-2025 Employee Benefits Portal

Become a Paraeducator in Wethersfield!

Paraeducators work in one of our eight Wethersfield school locations and are responsible for providing support to one or more students throughout the academic day in the areas of academic, social and behavioral growth and development. 

Paraeducators are critical to a student’s ongoing success and provide value through fostering positive relationships, communicating effectively with staff and students, demonstrating patience and compassion, maintaining confidentiality, always holding a positive attitude, demonstrating flexibility throughout the course of the day, and being one to establish/model the behavior and academic progress we seek in our students. 

Outside of our teaching population, our paraeducator employees make up the second largest employee group in the district.  Some assignments may require the paraeducator to be assigned to a daily work schedule beyond the student school day in order to provide necessary adult supervision for students at all times (i.e., bus ride supervisor before/after school).  

To be employed in this role, paraeducators must hold an Associates Degree, OR have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, OR have successfully completed the ParaPro Assessment exam.  [See below for more information about how to schedule yourself to take the ParaPro Assessment exam]

Candidates must be aware the district reserves the right to move paraeducators between assignments/schools during the school year at its discretion in order to efficiently support and service our students. 

Paraeducators who working twenty or more hours per week are covered under a union collective bargaining agreement and eligible for paid time off (sick/personal) and participation in a retirement plan (with district contribution match).  Only paraeducators who are contracted to regularly work thirty or more hours per week are eligible for healthcare benefits.  The hourly wage rate for paraeducators is based on one’s experience and educational background and how that compares to peers already employed in a paraeducator role in Wethersfield.  The current range for this role is $18.80 - $22.99 per hour worked.  Click the following link to review the current collective bargaining agreement for this union. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iHA5slyC47-kePR_z0EEl3Ot_ckSIyPa/view

If you do not currently meet the minimum qualifications for the paraeducator role which include holding an Associates Degree OR having completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours OR having passed the ParaPro Assessment exam with a minimum score of 457 (or greater), click the links below to learn more about how and where you can take the ParaPro Assessment exam.

Learn more about the ParaPro Assessment exam by clicking here:

https://www.ets.org/parapro/test-takers/about.html

Schedule yourself to take the ParaPro Assessment exam by clicking and registering here:

https://www.prometric.com/ParaPro

Duties of the paraeducator position include the following:

•   Maintain a high level of fairness, respect and equity with students, families and staff;

•   Understand and maintain boundaries and confidentiality with students, families and staff;

•   Work independently with small groups of students in various environments;

•   Demonstrate willingness to work with all students with various levels of functioning and disabilities including but not limited to: learning disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, ADHD, speech/language impairments, multiple disabilities, etc., across all grade levels;

•   Implement and support behavior plans and strategies under teacher direction;

•   Collect and record student data adhering to the supervising teachers’ directions and requirements;

•   Act as a liaison between teachers;

•   Accept work direction willingly, shift work assignments and accept changes and new job assignments as needed;

•   Consult daily with special education teacher regarding daily responsibilities;

•   Provide personal assistance to students, as needed, to address mobility, positioning, personal care, daily activities, and utilizing the restroom;

•   Facilitate students with developing communication skills, social skills, academic skills, self-help skills and promoting independence;

•   Ability to be trained in and implement Crisis Prevention and Intervention strategies, including de-escalation strategies and physical restraints;

•   Remain flexible to work in the community as job coach for students requiring transition services;

•   Utilize various forms of technology, including assistive technology, to support students learning and communication needs;

•   Communicate and collaborate effectively with co-workers;

•   As part of the daily work assignment, may be scheduled to ride the bus (before/after school) with students who require adult supervision;

•   Other duties as assigned by administration.

Qualifications of the paraeducator position include the following:

•   Hold Associates Degree, OR have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, OR have successfully completed the ParaPro Assessment;

•   Ability to work under the direction of classroom teacher and specialists;

•   Experience working with students with special needs; highly preferred individuals who have specific training and/or experience with students with significant cognitive, social/emotional and learning needs;

•   Ability to work cooperatively with administration, regular education teachers, support staff and parents;

•   Ability to work with all levels of students with special needs and disabilities in general education settings, and/or special education settings including WPS district’s special education programs;

•   Must have capability to follow teacher and related staff instructions in regard to work modifications and behavior plans;

•   Ability to review developmental and remedial materials in a clear and efficient manner;

•   Ability to assist teacher in handling interruptions/emergencies, move swiftly, and hold training (or show ability to be trained) to perform physical restraint in case of emergency;

•   Must be able to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds;

Must demonstrate ability to sit up to thirty (30) minutes on the floor or in a child-sized chair; additional requirements may include carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing/balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling and crouching (note: generally, the job requires 40% sitting, 30% standing, 30% walking). 

CSEA-SEIU Local 2001 Secretarial/Clerical/Paraeducator (July 2021 - June 2024)

• Substitute Teachers and Paraeducators:

Since 2011, Wethersfield Public Schools has partnered with Kelly Education to help fill our schools with trusted substitute teachers and paraeducators.  Kelly's high daily placement rate helps ensure our school operates smoothly every day.  Interested in joining our team?  Visit Kelly Educational Staffing at https://www.kellyeducation.com/ and send your resume to kes1761@kellyservices.com to express your interest in becoming a Kelly employee and ultimately to be considered for substitute teaching and paraeducator positions in our Wethersfield schools. 

• Substitute Nurses  

The school/building nurse plays a critical role in the school in maintaining the well-being of our students.  Ensuring that we have a pool of highly qualified and competent substitute nurses is crucial for the successful management of daily school operations.  Substitute nurses are needed to fill-in for daily absences.  Individuals are hired and placed in a substitute pool and will be contacted for daily and short-term assignments, as needs arise.  Individuals chosen to fill these roles should not expect to work on a daily basis or with any regularity.  Substitute nurses are paid a per diem rate of $300 per school day worked.  If you would like more information about serving as a substitute nurse in our Wethersfield schools, please contact Elda Marcelynas (Supervising Nurse) at emarcelynas@wethersfield.me, or at 860-571-8350.

• Substitute Support Staff Vacancies

We are currently accepting applications for individuals to work as substitute Lunch/Recess Aides and Crossing Guards.  Candidates who fill these positions will work an ad hoc, as needed schedule based on staff absences and the needs of the district.  Individuals are hired and placed in a substitute pool and will be contacted for daily and short-term assignments, as needs arise.  Individuals chosen to fill these roles should not expect to work on a daily basis or with any regularity.  

• Substitute Lunch & Recess Aide (elementary schools) - $18.04 per hour worked

• Substitute Crossing Guard (all schools) - $20.18 per hour worked

While details will vary by school, substitute Lunch & Recess Aides generally work a three hour shift that will fall somewhere between the hours of 10:45am - 2:15pm.  Substitute Crossing Guards can be invited to work morning and/or afternoon shifts that generally last 60-90 minutes each and fall between the hours of 7:00am - 9:15am and 2:00pm - 4:15pm.