Middle School Special Education Paraprofessional, High Needs Support

The Academy • Westminster, CO

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Academy of Charter Schools is hiring a full-time Middle School Special Education Paraprofessional to support students in grades 6–8 with high needs. The Academy is a public PK–12 school of choice in Westminster, Colorado, focused on rigorous, content-rich learning, student empowerment, and an inclusive school culture. The paraprofessional supports individual students and small groups in special education and general education settings within a highly modified and supported learning environment. The role includes academic and behavioral support, assistance with personal and mental health functions as needed, and collaboration with classroom and special education teachers. The hourly rate is $20.00, based on work experience. The position is for the 2026–2027 school year, which ends May 27, 2027.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Meet No Child Left Behind requirements through an associate or two-year college degree, completion of 48 college semester hours, or passing a state CDE-approved paraprofessional examination.
• Experience working with school-age students with learning disabilities in an instructional environment.
• Demonstrated skill in handling children and adolescents.
• Ability to diffuse and manage stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to follow workplace safety rules, practice safe work habits, use appropriate safety equipment, and report unsafe conditions.
• Criminal background check required for hire.
• First Aid certification required within 30 days of entering the position.
• Must successfully complete Safety Training Class within 30 days of entering the position.

Nice To Haves

• Crisis prevention training.
• Applied behavior analysis training.
• Operating knowledge of and experience with typical office equipment, such as telephones, copier, fax machine, and email.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one or small-group support to students with special needs or behavior needs.
• Assist students with personal and mental health functions as needed.
• Collaborate with classroom and special education teachers, supporting students in general education classrooms and providing supplemental instruction and work-completion support outside those settings.
• Implement behavior intervention plans as needed.
• Guide an individual student or small group through a modified daily schedule, including time inside and outside the general education classroom.
• Provide supplemental academic instruction as needed.
• Maintain data collection records on specific behaviors and goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical benefits, 100% paid for employees on select plans.
• PERA retirement benefits.
• Comprehensive benefits package with multiple plans for full-time employees.
• Employee paid leave information is available in the Employee Benefits Enrollment Guide.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED