Paraeducator l: Special Education (Swigert MS) - Colorado Springs School District 11

Colorado Springs School District 11 • Colorado Springs, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides instructional and behavioral support to students under the direction of a certified teacher. The paraeducator works with individuals and small groups to reinforce learning and develop academic, communication, and functional skills. The role implements accommodations, modifications, and instructional strategies aligned with students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and monitors, documents, and reports student progress and behavior in accordance with established requirements, including Medicaid documentation as applicable.

The position supports classroom operations by preparing instructional materials, assisting with assessments and attendance, and completing clerical and organizational tasks related to student services. It promotes a structured, positive learning environment by reinforcing behavior plans and social-emotional development, and by assisting students with routines, transitions, and independence. The role involves supervising and supporting students across multiple settings and responding to diverse academic and behavioral needs throughout the school day.

Work is performed in a variety of environments and includes light to occasionally heavy physical activity. The position requires frequent movement and may involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and other physical tasks. The position is based at Swigert Middle School, is 0.88 FTE, and has 187 workdays per year. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• For Title I schools only: at least two years of study at an institution of higher education, an associate’s or higher degree, or demonstration of a rigorous standard of quality through a formal state or local academic assessment, such as ACT-Work Keys or ETS-ParaPro.
• Experience working with children with disabilities or in a related setting.
• Knowledge of instructional and behavioral support practices in special education settings, IEPs, accommodations and modifications, autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities, behavior intervention and de-escalation strategies, data collection and progress monitoring, compliance requirements, classroom routines, school procedures, and assistive or educational technology.
• Ability to support individualized and small-group instruction aligned to IEP goals; implement IEPs and behavior plans with fidelity; assist with daily living skills and routines; de-escalate challenging situations; maintain a safe environment and strict confidentiality; communicate effectively; and work collaboratively and independently across settings.
• Ability to remain calm and respond effectively in high-stress or crisis situations, and demonstrate patience, flexibility, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Physical ability to frequently move throughout the workday and alternate between sitting, standing, and walking; occasionally lift up to 50 pounds and frequently lift up to 10 pounds; occasionally drag or lift objects from floor to shoulder height up to 60 pounds; push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds; and lift up to 20 pounds from shoulder to overhead.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, balance, reach at desk and floor level, occasionally reach overhead, climb stairs, and perform physically demanding tasks as needed.
• Frequent use of hands for grasping, holding, and turning objects; fine motor ability to operate tools and computer equipment; ability to feel objects’ shape, size, and temperature; and constant seeing, hearing, and verbal communication, as well as ability to detect odors.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree or higher in education or a related field.
• Bilingual skills relevant to the district population.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional and behavioral support to students under the direction of a certified teacher, working with individuals and small groups to reinforce learning and develop academic, communication, and functional skills.
• Implement accommodations, modifications, and instructional strategies aligned with students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Monitor, document, and report student progress and behavior; maintain accurate records aligned with IEP goals and compliance requirements, including Medicaid documentation as applicable.
• Support classroom operations by preparing instructional materials, assisting with assessments, recording attendance, and completing required paperwork related to student services.
• Assist students with classroom activities and daily routines, including support for independence, transitions, and functional skill development.
• Promote a positive, structured learning environment by reinforcing behavior plans, social-emotional skills, and appropriate student behavior.
• Supervise and support students across settings, including the classroom, playground, lunchroom, field trips, and other school activities, with attention to individual needs.
• Perform clerical and organizational tasks, including data entry, filing, copying, laminating, inventory management, and ordering supplies.
• Assist with classroom logistics and events, including transitions, drills, and specialized programming needs.
• Use standard office and classroom technology to support instructional, behavioral, and documentation requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• For the 2026–2027 school year, employees in this category receive non-recurring pay equal to 7% of base salary, distributed as 3.5% on the November paycheck and 3.5% on the May paycheck.
• ESP employees at Adams Elementary, Galileo Middle School, and Mitchell High School receive a staffing stability incentive equivalent to one salary step, divided over 12 pay periods. This incentive is identified for those named schools, not Swigert Middle School.

What This Job Offers

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