2026-27 SPED Instructional Assistant/Special Needs HQ - Eagle Ridge ES

Location: Eagle Ridge Elementary School
9-month position, 6.5 hours/day
Grade 17, $17.50/hour
Start Date: 8/24/2026

About the Role

The Instructional Assistant - Special Education provides support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision, care, and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom, a self-contained classroom, and/or with an individual student. This role involves implementing instructional plans, monitoring student behavior, and providing information to appropriate school personnel.

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher to support and reinforce classroom objectives.
• Administers tests, homework, and make-up work to support teachers in the classroom.
• Assists medically fragile, physically disabled, or developmentally delayed students with personal care (e.g., lifting, feeding, toilet training, diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication).
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations (e.g., first aid, CPR, emergency procedures) to acquire and convey job-related information.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and parents to assist in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Escorts students (e.g., to the bathroom, office, or classroom) to ensure safe and efficient arrival at destinations.
• Implements behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions under the supervision of assigned teachers.
• Intervenes in potential conflicts using appropriate physical and/or therapeutic approaches to diffuse confrontations and minimize disruptions.
• Documents instructional materials and maintains manual and electronic files/records to ensure availability and compliance with mandated requirements.
• Models conversation, manners, clean-up activities, listening, job skills, and everyday interactions to demonstrate appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Monitors student’s daily schedule and behavior plan (e.g., class schedule, work schedule, personal hygiene) to maintain a safe and positive learning environment.
• Monitors students during assigned periods in various school environments (e.g., restrooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots).
• Performs general clerical functions (e.g., copying, filing, data entry) to support the instructional program.
• Provides instruction to students in individual and group activities (e.g., academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, job skills) under the supervision of assigned teachers to reinforce instructional objectives and implement IEP plans.
• Remains with students at all times to ensure safety, remove students when necessary, and de-escalate situations outside the classroom.
• Responds to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient functioning of the work unit.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED and one of the following:

• 60 postsecondary hours of college coursework; or
• Associate’s degree; or
• Passing of ParaPro Assessment (ETS Parapro Assessment); or
• ACT Workkeys (ACT Workkeys); or
• The Master Teacher Para Educator (ParaEducator PD Now).

Skills

• Adhering to safety practices and operating standard office equipment, including pertinent software applications.
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• Performing basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and ratios.
• Reading manuals, writing documents, and presenting information to others.
• Understanding complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.
• Knowledge of instructional procedures and practices, age-appropriate student activities, safety practices, conflict resolution, and stages of child development/behavior.
• Scheduling activities, gathering and collating data, and using basic job-related equipment.
• Adapting to changing work priorities and working with a wide diversity of individuals and data.
• Communicating with diverse groups, maintaining confidentiality, working as part of a team, and handling constant interruptions.
• Problem-solving to identify issues and create action plans.

Work Environment

The role requires significant physical demands, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and fine finger dexterity. The job involves 10% sitting, 60% walking, and 30% standing. It is performed under minimal temperature variations and conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Certificates and Licenses

• CPR Certificate
• First Aid Certificate
• QBS Certificate (maintained through continuing education/training)
• Valid Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card (www.azdps.gov/services/public/fingerprint)

Benefits

• ASRS (Arizona State Retirement System)
• Paid Sick/Personal Time
• Medical and optional Dental/Vision