SPECIAL EDUCATION PARA EDUCATOR - 7 HRS/DAY

Internal applicants: open 06/08/2026 through 06/12/2026 at 4 PM. External applicants: open until filled if no internal applicants are selected.

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 Special Education Differential pay for this position, 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 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 of 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 and provide varied assistance as required
• Work as a team player to assist in all aspects of the classroom, cafeteria, hallways, and other areas
• Use strong interpersonal skills to work with students, staff, and others in the building
• Accompany students to and from the bus and supervise them in various settings (classroom, lunch/breakfast, building, field trips, work sites)
• Work individually or with small groups of students as assigned
• Assist students with restroom needs, including changing clothes and hygiene
• Accompany and assist students in physical education
• Assist students with classroom assignments in general education classes as directed by the IEP
• Manage the environment and protect students during the school day
• Follow and implement multiple behavior plans simultaneously, adjusting as directed
• Initiate activities with students as needed
• Demonstrate flexibility with assignments and changing duties as directed
• Exhibit personal qualities such as nurturing, patience, dependability, and responsibility
• 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, providing instruction, supervision, and behavior modification independently
• Perform accurate data collection and graphing as guided by the teacher
• Complete necessary paperwork accurately and timely
• Support Davenport’s multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for behavior and academics
• Sign the vacancy notice acknowledging willingness to perform duties, responsibilities, and expectations listed
• Pass the Medicaid Fraud background check prior to hire and maintain clearance
• Physically restrain students if trained and as needed, based on building principal directives
• Adjust daily assignments 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
• Perform lifting as required by the position
• Assist with toileting, diapering, hygiene care, and restroom supervision
• Stand or sit for extended periods
• Ride the bus with students as needed
• 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 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
• Ability to nurture, patience, dependability, and responsibility
• Flexibility in day-to-day schedule and changing duties
• Ability to implement Crisis Prevention Intervention strategies, including physical restraint and escorting
• Ability to meet physical demands, including lifting or moving items up to 50 lbs, assisting children, or rearranging furniture
• Ability to supervise students in all weather conditions and interact with the public and staff

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 various environments, including indoors and outdoors, in non-air-conditioned rooms, and in quiet to loud noise levels
• 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