SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA - 7/HR DAY

Internal applicants: apply between 8/25/2026 and 8/31/2026 at 4:00 PM. External applicants: apply only if no internal applicants are selected; the posting will remain open until filled.

Pay

New hires: $14.53/hr (entry level rate). Current employees in the bargaining unit: refer to the salary schedule established by the applicable bargaining group. This position qualifies for the $4.00 Special Education Differential pay as outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement between DCSD and the Davenport Association of Para Educators. Wage range: $18.93/hr.

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 regarding instruction.
• Follow directives of classroom teacher, building administration, and district administration.
• Work with students who exhibit explosive behavior, including physical and verbal aggression.
• Support students with learning, behavior, physical, and/or cognitive disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Provide services for special education students in both special and general education settings.
• Under the direction of a special education teacher, provide academic assistance, behavior interventions, and instruction in social skills and daily living skills.
• Attend field trips with students as necessary.
• Ensure regular attendance to meet IEP services and provide FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education).
• Analyze situations and respond appropriately.
• Interact with all students, providing varied assistance as required.
• Collaborate as a team player to assist in all aspects of the classroom, cafeteria, hallways, and other school areas.
• Supervise students in the classroom, at meals, in the building, on field trips, and at work sites.
• Work individually or with small groups of students as assigned by the special education teacher or principal.
• Assist students with restroom needs, including changing clothes and hygiene care.
• Accompany students to physical education and general education classes, providing support as directed by the IEP.
• Manage the environment and protect students during the school day.
• Follow and adapt multiple behavior plans for students simultaneously.
• Initiate activities with students as needed.
• Demonstrate flexibility with assignments and changing duties as directed.
• Exhibit nurturing, patience, dependability, and responsibility in interactions with students.
• Navigate stairs, walk long distances in the building and community, and use the City Bus System with training.
• Follow specific procedures for teaching new skills as directed by the teacher.
• Provide instruction, supervision, and behavior modification at community and building work sites independently.
• Collect and graph accurate data as guided by the teacher.
• Complete necessary paperwork accurately and timely.
• Support Davenport’s multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for behavior and academics.
• Engage in collaborative work and contribute to team planning.
• Physically restrain students if trained and as needed, based on building principal directives.
• Adapt to daily changes in assignments to meet the needs of individual or groups of special education students.
• Remain calm and respectful when students are in crisis.
• Lift, move, or push items up to 50 lbs, such as assisting children or moving furniture.
• Provide toileting, diapering, and hygiene care as needed.
• Stand or sit for extended periods and ride the bus with students.
• Participate in and direct extensive physical activities.
• Supervise students in out-of-classroom activities during the workday.
• Model a positive attitude and team cooperation for students.
• 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, behavior, and social skills difficulties.
• Genuine care and concern for all students, with a willingness to help them succeed.
• Demonstrated ability to follow directives of certified staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven record of building rapport with culturally diverse students.
• Willingness to support Davenport’s multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for behavior and academics.
• All para educators receiving the Special Education differential pay must sign the vacancy notice, acknowledging willingness to perform listed duties and responsibilities.
• Pass a Medicaid Fraud background check prior to hire, successfully bidding, or transferring to a special education position. This check is conducted several times a year, and failure may result in removal from the position.

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, such as assisting children or moving furniture.
• Supervise students in all types of weather and meet multiple demands from several people.
• Interact with the public and other staff.
• Implement Crisis Prevention Intervention strategies, including physical restraint procedures and escorting.

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.