SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA EDUCATOR - 7 HRS (6 OPENINGS)

Internal applicants: apply between 06/08/2026 and 06/12/2026 at 4 PM. External applicants: apply only if no internal applicants are selected; position open until filled.

Pay

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

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 (mild, moderate, or severe), including Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Deliver services in both special-education and general-education settings as needed
• Provide 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 all aspects of the classroom, cafeteria, hallways, and other school areas
• Use strong interpersonal skills to work with students, staff, and the public
• Accompany students to and from the bus and supervise them 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 and assist students in physical education
• Assist students with classroom assignments in both special-education and general-education classes
• Manage the environment and protect students throughout the school day
• Follow and adapt multiple behavior plans simultaneously
• Initiate activities with students as needed
• Demonstrate flexibility in assignments and changing duties as directed
• Exhibit nurturing, patience, dependability, and responsibility with students
• Climb stairs and walk long distances in the building and community
• Navigate the City Bus System (with training)
• Follow specific procedures for teaching new skills as directed by the teacher
• Accompany students to community and building work sites; provide instruction, supervision, and behavior modification independently
• 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
• Sign the vacancy notice acknowledging willingness to perform all listed duties and responsibilities
• Pass the Medicaid Fraud background check (required for all employees working with special-education students; checked multiple times per year)
• Physically restrain students if trained and as directed by the building principal
• Adjust daily assignments to meet the needs of individual or groups of special-education students
• 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 moving furniture)
• Assist with toileting, diapering, and hygiene care
• Stand or sit for extended periods
• Ride the bus with students
• Participate in and direct extensive physical activities
• Supervise students in out-of-classroom activities during the work day
• 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
• Flexibility in day-to-day scheduling

Physical Requirements

• Regularly sit, stand, speak, hear, see, and walk to carry out routine duties
• Occasionally lift, move, or push items up to 50 lbs (e.g., assisting children or moving furniture)
• Supervise students in all types of weather and meet multiple demands from several people
• Implement Crisis Prevention Intervention strategies, including physical restraint and escorting
• Climb stairs and walk long distances in the building and community
• Navigate the City Bus System (with training)
• Stand or sit for extended periods
• Ride the bus with students
• Participate in and direct extensive physical activities

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