SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA EDUCATOR - 7 HRS

Internal applicants: apply between 08/18/2026 and 08/24/2026 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 salary schedule established by the applicable bargaining group
• $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 the special-education facilitator
• Follow directives of classroom teacher, building administration, and district administration
• Work with students who exhibit physical and verbal aggression
• Support students with learning, behavior, physical, and/or cognitive disabilities (mild, moderate, or severe), including Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Provide services in special-education or 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 as a variety of assistance is required
• 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 as assigned by the special-education teacher or principal
• Accompany students to and from the bus, restrooms, and physical-education classes
• Assist students with changing clothes and other hygiene needs
• Manage the environment and protect students during the school day
• Follow multiple behavior plans simultaneously and implement changes as directed
• Recognize the need for and initiate activities with students
• Navigate the City Bus System (with training) for community-based instruction
• 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
• Pass a Medicaid Fraud background check (required for all employees working with special-education students)
• Physically restrain students if trained and as needed per building principal’s directives
• Adapt to daily assignment changes to meet the needs of individual or groups of special-education students
• Remain calm and respectful when students are in crisis
• Engage in collaborative work and contribute to team planning
• Lift, move, or push items up to 50 lbs. (e.g., assisting children or rearranging furniture)
• Provide toileting, diapering, hygiene care, and restroom supervision as required
• Stand, sit, or ride the bus with students for extended periods
• 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 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 and 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
• Flexibility in day-to-day schedule
• 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 procedures and escorting
• Ability to meet multiple demands from several people and interact with the public and staff
• Ability to supervise students in all types of weather, both indoors and outdoors
• Ability to work in a fast-paced atmosphere with constant contact with students, staff, or the public
• Direct responsibility for the safety, well-being, and work output of students
• All para-educators receiving the Special Education differential pay must sign the vacancy notice, acknowledging willingness to perform listed duties, responsibilities, and expectations

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.
• Implement Crisis Prevention Intervention strategies, including physical restraint and escorting
• Work may be indoors and/or outdoors, in non-air-conditioned rooms, and in quiet to loud noise levels
• Tobacco- and alcohol-free environment