Education Jobs in Portland, OR

Open Internal Only

Open Date: 10/27/2026 Close Date: Until filled

Open Internal & External:

Open Date: 10/29/2026 Close Date: Until filled

This posting is open internally only for the first two (2) business days. Interviewing and hiring priority will be given to internal applicants. Current probationary and contract professional educators are eligible to transfer until August 20th.

Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.

SPECIAL EDUCATION MISSION STATEMENT:

The Special Education Department is committed to providing instructional services in inclusive environments that will prepare students that receive special education services for life and careers.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position serves students with ongoing significant social/emotional skill deficits and mental health needs that impede their ability to benefit from general education settings. Behavioral characteristics of these students may include: non-compliance; poor peer interactions; difficulty in following school routines and/or expectations; poor problem-solving skills; excessive fears/phobias; poor social skills; and sometimes verbal and/or physical aggressiveness.

Teacher provides a developmentally appropriate classroom environment for children with a wide range of abilities. Using a Collaborative Problem-Solving approach, incumbent provides specially designed instruction in social skills, school success strategies, conflict resolution, coping skills, and academics at the students’ instructional level. Such instruction occurs in the classroom setting with consultation and communication to families. Classroom environments feature clear expectations, community building, relationship building with adults and peers, positive support strategies, and encouragement. Related services are provided consistent with each student’s IEP. Students have opportunities to participate in general education experiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTION:

• Assesses each child’s development in the areas of motor, communication, social interaction and self-sufficiency.
• Determines specific areas of needs and strengths via the use of accepted assessments.
• Designs, as needed, various individual program goals for each student commensurate with abilities and needs of the child.
• Provides developmentally appropriate environment which establishes and reinforces appropriate child skill development and fosters the development of positive social skills.
• Provides ongoing family support and communication.
• Utilizes support services from related service personnel (i.e., physical therapist, speech language pathologist, audiologist, occupational therapist, physician, psychologist) through an interdisciplinary model.
• Selects appropriate books, environment design, instructional aids, equipment and curriculum for classroom use.
• Assists in reporting required by state and federal agencies.
• Uses, for referral purposes, various community agencies and public and private school facility to meet the individual needs of the child and the family.
• Develops and monitors IEP’s for all appropriate children.
• Complies with all due process procedures.
• Monitors child progress and makes changes in instruction as indicated by collected data.
• Manages classroom assistants and volunteers.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Incumbents must be properly licensed by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission for assignment as a Professional Educator - Teacher.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Background/experience with students with severe developmental delays.
• Current pediatric CPR credential or willing to receive training as soon as possible.
• Oregon TSPC License with Handicapped Learner or Special Education: Generalist endorsement

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

• Academic achievement standards that align to district goals and create a comprehensive, rigorous and coherent curricular program.
• Research-based instructional strategies and models for improving instructional practices.
• Existing and emerging education and instructional technologies and software.

Ability to:

• Advocate, model and implement Portland Public School's Educational Racial Equity policy.
• Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment.
• Manage student behavior and maintain discipline in accordance with school, district and state policies, procedures and laws.
• Assign and grade class work, homework, projects, tests and assignments.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities.
• Prepare classroom for class activities.
• Provide a variety of learning materials and resources for use in educational activities.
• Plan, prepare and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students and use information to adjust teaching strategies.
• Provide appropriate feedback on work.
• Encourage parent and community involvement.
• Provide student information to authorized individuals in a timely manner.
• Participate in appropriate professional growth and extracurricular activities.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Utilize relevant technologies to support and differentiate instruction.
• Welcome and empower students and families, including underrepresented families of color and those whose first language may not be English, as essential partners in student education.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development.
• Update records accurately and completely as required by laws, district policies and school regulations.
• Prepare required reports on students and activities.
• Participate in department, school, district and parent meetings.
• Communicate necessary information regularly to students, colleagues and caregivers regarding student progress and student needs.
• Observe and evaluate student's performance and development.

• In addition to sick leave, educators receive 3 personal/emergency and 5 family illness leave days per school year
• Professional Development Days + Funds
• Professional Growth - potential to move along the salary scale throughout the school year after completion of additional credits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Multilingual stipend, if eligible
• University Voucher Program
• this applies to regular educators, half-time or greater.

ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENT: Special Education - Generalist

COMPENSATION: $57,206 - $111,314 (Annual salary based on 1.0 FTE)

WORK YEAR: 193 day

FTE: 1.0

Portland Public Schools (PPS) is seeking talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead change and inspire PPS students. At PPS, every employee, despite having different roles, is an educator. We hope to attract talented educators who model the core PPS Educator Essentials. With the District’s focus on eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impact on student learning, we seek to hire individuals who bring to our district a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice.

The District is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all its educational and employment activities. The District prohibits discrimination based on perceived or actual race; national or ethnic origin; color; sex; religion; age; sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; pregnancy; marital status; veteran’s status; familial status; economic status or source of income; mental or physical disability or perceived disability; or military service.

504 Coordinator: Joanna Tobin, jtobin@pps.net, 971-425-5473
ADA Coordinator: Jey Buno, jbuno@pps.net, 503-916-3360
Director of Civil Rights: Dr. Bobby Cruz, bcruz@pps.net, 503-839-3660

Accessibility Statement

Portland Public Schools (PPS) offers several competitive and comprehensive benefit packages to employees. Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program, 403(b) retirement savings plan and various leave and professional development programs. Depending on the insurance option selected by the employee, there may be an employee contribution toward insurance.

Portland Public Schools is a public employer and participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP). Eligible employees are required by statute to contribute 6% of salary on a pre-tax basis to OPSRP/IAP, after serving six months under a PERS employer.

For more information about additional benefits or compensation options by employee group, please visit our website at: https://www.pps.net/Page/1635