Paraeducator - Preschool (2.5 hours/day)

Calendar: 180-day part-time or 190-day full-time (9-month position)

Salary: Grade 107 (support staff hourly)

About the Role

Provide preschool-aged students (ages 3 to 5) with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. Implement high-quality practices and instructional support in a special education and/or general education environment, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning atmosphere.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Associate's degree or 60 semester hours from an accredited university, or satisfactory results on an AZ state-approved competency exam
• CPR/First Aid certification (provided by district)
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a computer and related software
• Satisfactory criminal background check
• Valid DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

Responsibilities

Student Supervision & Support

• Supervise students during all program activities
• Reinforce material by providing one-on-one or small-group instruction
• Assist with academic, physical, and emotional needs as directed by the classroom teacher and following Individualized Education Program (IEP) guidelines where applicable

Personal Care & Medical Assistance

• Monitor and respond to students' health and safety throughout the day
• Provide support with personal care needs (e.g., toileting, feeding, dressing, etc.)
• Administer basic first aid and emergency rescue medications to ill, medically fragile, or injured students

Social-Emotional Development

• Assist students with their social and emotional needs, helping them build positive behaviors and navigate social situations through modeling and/or implementation of behavior plans and strategies

Safety & Reporting

• Be alert to and report any potential issues, including substance use, child abuse, or other dangerous situations, based on daily observations
• Immediately alert the teacher or administrator to any student problems or dangerous situations

Documentation & Training

• Assist with progress monitoring, assessments, and data collection under the supervision of the certified teacher
• Participate in required meetings and training to improve your knowledge and skills

Confidentiality

• Maintain strict confidentiality of protected student and staff information

General Operations

• Maintain an orderly classroom environment
• Properly operate and care for instructional equipment
• Perform all duties safely and prudently, following DHS regulations, district policies, and supervisor directives
• Remain flexible and perform other duties as assigned

Core Values

• Excellence: We value excellence in all parts of this organization as our most important product
• Equity: Providing all students and staff the opportunity, tools, and ability to succeed and excel
• Collaboration: An effective decision-making and morale-enhancing model
• Integrity: Honesty, integrity, and reliability are non-negotiable foundations
• Efficiency: Being a good steward of public trust and community resources

Professional Qualities

• Respond to all customers, as it relates to position, in a prompt, efficient, friendly and patient manner
• Function effectively as a team member
• Be responsible, reliable and punctual
• Be flexible and adaptable to change
• Positively accept direction
• Maintain courteous, cooperative working relationships with students, staff and parents
• Direct constructive criticism toward improving the district
• Exercise positive problem-solving behavior and conflict resolution skills
• Adhere to the dress code appropriate to the site and job
• Share sensitive student and staff information on a need-to-know basis
• Be a positive role model for students
• Work with a large cross-section of people in a professional and non-judgmental manner

Physical Requirements

Working with Students

• Mobility: Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, stand, walk, and sit; repetitive finger and manual dexterity
• Sensory: Ability to speak, hear, and see (with correction) for essential job functions
• Exertion:
  • Occasionally: Lift or move objects up to 50 pounds
  • Frequently: Lift or move objects up to 20 pounds
  • Constantly: Lift or move objects up to 10 pounds
• Environment: Potential exposure to odors, dust, bloodborne pathogens, and loud noises

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.