2026-27 SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care HQ - Desert Cove ES

About the role

The Instructional Assistant/Personal Care HQ position is available at Desert Cove Elementary School for 9 months, from August 3, 2026 to May 27, 2027. The position is non-interim and pays $17.50 per hour with benefits including ASRS, paid sick/personal time, medical insurance, and optional dental/vision coverage.

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher.
• Assists medically fragile, physically disabled, or developmentally delayed students (e.g., diapering, tube feeding).
• Communicates with teachers and various health care professionals to assist in evaluating progress and implementing IEP objectives.
• Documents student's daily activities (e.g., behavior, completed assignments, on/off task times).
• Evaluates situations involving other staff, students, parents, the public, etc., and takes action or provides referrals for resolution.
• Implements behavioral plans designed by IEP teams for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions under the supervision of assigned teachers.
• Maintains manual and electronic files and/or records to provide written references and meet mandated requirements.
• Models appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Maintains student's daily schedule and behavior plan to ensure a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides instruction to students (e.g., math, science, reading, behavioral skills, daily living skills, writing, verbal skills, job skills) under the supervision of assigned teachers.
• Remains with the student at all times to ensure their safety and remove them when necessary to de-escalate situations outside the classroom.
• Responds to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• One of the following:
• Sixty postsecondary hours of college coursework;
• AAS degree;
• Passing of ParaPro Assessment (ETS);
• ACT WorkKeys;
• The Master Teacher Para Educator Program.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Job-related experience is required.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Adhering to safety practices.
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• Physical restraint practices.
• Age-appropriate activities when working with high-risk youth.
• Concepts of grammar and punctuation.
• Methods of instruction and training.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Communicating with diverse groups.
• Maintaining confidentiality.
• Working as part of a team.
• Working with frequent interruptions.
• Maintaining a good rapport with students, employees, and community.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Training

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Job-related experience is required.

Testing Certificates and Licenses

• CPR Certificate.
• First Aid Certificate.
• Continuing education/training.
• CPI Certificate.
• Maintains certificates/licenses.

Clearances

• Criminal Background Clearance.
• Valid Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.