SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN)

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

1d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN) supports special education students in day-to-day learning activities under the supervision of a teacher. The role does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions. Assignments may include non-traditional learning environments, including off-campus work sites. The paraprofessional supports the principal and classroom teachers in implementing SSN programs and fostering a positive, safe learning environment, and assists licensed special education teachers, therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff with the goals of students with severe or profound disabilities. This position addresses current student needs at Chinook Trail Elementary School. If student or program needs change, the employee may be required to move to another school during the school year. The role includes instructional, personal-care, medical-support, behavioral, clerical, and student-monitoring duties, as well as training and collaboration with school staff. The position is full-time regular, scheduled for 37.5 hours per week, 7.5 hours per day, for 176 weekdays per year. Compensation is $21.02–$22.07. The estimated start date is November 12, 2026.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to adapt to changing technologies and learn new equipment and systems.
Effective verbal and written communication; ability to communicate with students and adults in varied settings.
Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications, and ability to create, access, enter, retrieve, and manipulate information in software systems.
Ability to maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems; maintain confidentiality and understand data-privacy implications.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions, work independently, manage simultaneous demands, and set priorities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, coworkers, supervisors, administrators, and the public, including people from diverse backgrounds and professions.
Commitment to student education, a student-centered and relationship-focused approach, and the ability to work collaboratively and solve problems.
Organizational, time-management, interpersonal, listening, written, and verbal communication skills; attention to detail.
Knowledge of office methods and procedures, district policies and functions, and special education programming and related legal requirements relevant to assigned students.
Ability to work the days, hours, locations, and assignments directed by the supervisor within the position's responsibilities.
Willingness to attend required ongoing training, including CO-TOP opportunities, OT-PT training, and training specific to student needs such as vision, hearing, motor skills, or Braille; willingness to be trained in delegated nursing practices.
Ability to meet students' physical and self-help needs, including toileting, feeding, dressing, and transfers; ability to restrain or escort students when necessary and according to applicable guidelines.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, ladders, or stools, and reach, grasp, carry, push, and pull as required; typical lifting demands are up to 50 pounds, with student lifting or higher demands possible for some assignments.
Ability to work in environments with varying noise levels and possible exposure to fumes, bodily fluids, infectious disease, conflict, personal harm, or student medical emergencies.

Responsibilities

Report consistently for scheduled work, perform other assigned duties, and attain proficient or higher evaluations on established performance standards.
Obtain and maintain certifications needed to support students with special needs.
Assist students with meal preparation, feeding, lunch clean-up, communication, oral-motor, sensory-integration, and physical IEP goals.
Carry out lesson plans and instructional programs in designated learning environments; reinforce teacher-introduced material with small groups under teacher supervision; tutor students and assist with curriculum activities.
Assist with student medical and personal-care tasks, including medication, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, suctioning, and cleaning or disinfecting bodily fluids; follow infectious-disease controls.
Maneuver and secure wheelchairs, provide initial first aid or emergency care, assist with dressing and transitions, and carry out programming using physical therapy equipment.
Monitor behavior contracts and reward systems, and use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate and trained to do so.
Assist with non-standardized testing; develop games and teaching aids; help prepare, produce, maintain, and organize student materials and equipment.
Coordinate assignments and job tasks with classroom teachers or employers; support students individually and in groups, including in community-based settings and other off-campus environments.
Assist students in the classroom, library, and other learning settings; conduct story time; supervise computer use, recess, hall duty, passing periods, bus loading, and swimming or therapy facilities as assigned.
Attend required pre-job and ongoing training and meetings; serve as a resource to the student personnel evaluation team for assigned students as needed.
Work with teachers to integrate assistive technology into classrooms; maintain student files and records; collect assessment and monitoring data; complete daily paperwork and clerical duties.
Maintain, order, and organize program materials and equipment; laminate materials and prepare bulletin boards as needed.