SPECIAL ED PARA EDUCATOR - 7 HRS

Internal applicants: open 07/22/2026 through 07/28/2026 at 4 PM. External applicants: open until filled.

Pay

• New hires: $14.93/hr. entry-level rate
• Current bargaining-unit employees: refer to the applicable salary schedule
• $4.00/hour Special Education Differential pay

Responsibilities

• Provide research-based social-skills instruction and intervention under the supervision of a certified teacher
• Attend additional required evening trainings or meetings during the school year or summer
• Accept and implement feedback from specialists and special-education facilitators
• Follow directives of classroom teacher, building administration, and district administration
• Work with students who exhibit physical and verbal aggression
• Support students with learning, behavioral, physical, and/or cognitive disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Provide services in both special-education and general-education settings as needed
• Deliver academic assistance, behavior interventions, and instruction in social skills and daily-living skills under the direction of a special-education teacher
• Accompany students on field trips
• Maintain regular attendance to meet IEP services and ensure FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education)
• Analyze situations and respond appropriately
• Interact with all students in a variety of assistance scenarios
• Assist in classroom, cafeteria, hallways, and other school areas
• Supervise students in classrooms, at meals, in the building, on field trips, and at work sites
• Work individually or with small groups as assigned by the special-education teacher or principal
• Assist students with restroom needs, including changing clothes and hygiene
• Accompany students to and from physical education, the bus, and general-education classes
• Manage the environment and protect students during the school day
• Follow and adapt multiple behavior plans simultaneously
• Initiate activities with students as needed
• Demonstrate flexibility with assignments and changing duties
• Collect and graph accurate data as guided by the teacher
• Complete necessary paperwork accurately and on time
• Support Davenport’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for behavior and academics
• Accompany students to community and building work sites; provide instruction, supervision, and behavior modification independently
• Physically restrain students if trained and as directed by building principals
• Remain calm and respectful during student crises
• Engage in collaborative work and team planning
• Lift, move, or push items up to 50 lbs (e.g., assisting children or rearranging furniture)
• Perform toileting, diapering, hygiene care, and restroom supervision
• Stand, sit, or ride the bus with students for extended periods
• Participate in and direct extensive physical activities
• Model a positive attitude and team cooperation
• Accept direction from special-education teachers and maintain confidentiality
• Perform other duties as assigned by administration

Requirements

• Ability to work with students who have significant academic, behavioral, and social-skills difficulties
• Genuine care and concern for all students and a willingness to help them succeed
• Demonstrated ability to follow directives of certified staff
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven record of building rapport with culturally diverse students
• Ability to climb stairs, walk long distances in the building and community, and navigate the City Bus System (with training)
• Ability to implement Crisis Prevention Intervention strategies, including physical restraint and escorting
• Ability to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and staff
• All para-educators receiving the Special Education differential pay must sign the vacancy notice, acknowledging willingness to perform listed duties and expectations
• Pass the Medicaid Fraud background check prior to hire, successfully bidding, or transferring to a special-education position (checked multiple times per year)

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to sit, stand, speak, hear, see, and walk to carry out routine duties
• Occasionally lift, move, or push items up to 50 lbs
• Supervise students in all weather conditions
• Implement physical restraint procedures and escorting as needed

Work Environment

• Noise level ranges from quiet to loud
• Work may be indoors and/or outdoors, including non-air-conditioned rooms
• Tobacco- and alcohol-free environment
• Fast-paced atmosphere with constant contact with students, staff, or the public
• Direct responsibility for the safety, well-being, and work output of students