SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN)

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

20d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN) performs day-to-day activities to teach and support special education students under a teacher’s supervision. The role does not make diagnostic or long-term educational decisions. Assignments may take place in traditional or non-traditional learning environments, including off-campus worksites. 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 in carrying out goals for students with severe or profound disabilities. This position addresses student needs at Liberty High School. If needs at the school or program change, the employee may be required to move to another school where support is needed, potentially at any time during the school year. The job description’s functions are illustrative and may be modified or changed by the district. The position is full-time and regular, with 37.5 scheduled weekly hours, 7.5 hours per day, and 176 workdays per year, Monday through Friday. The estimated start date is October 30, 2026. Compensation is $21.02–$22.07. A current resume must be uploaded as part of the online application.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and to interact effectively with students and adults in varied settings.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions and work independently without direct supervision.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and understand data privacy laws and their implications for the educational community.
Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in software systems; computer proficiency, including office productivity applications.
Ability to maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, administrators, coworkers, students, parents, and the public.
Ability to manage simultaneous demands, set priorities, stay organized, and adapt to changing technologies and new equipment or systems.
Ability to work the days, hours, locations, and assignments directed by the supervisor within the position’s responsibilities.
Commitment to student education and the ability to promote a positive climate, culture, and community.
Knowledge of office methods and procedures, district functions, and special education and related legal requirements as relevant to assigned students.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, verbal communication, collaboration, cooperation, and problem-solving skills.
Willingness to attend CO-TOP opportunities and other professional learning; attend OT-PT training; receive student-specific on-the-job training; and participate in ongoing training.
Ability to meet students’ physical and self-help needs, including toileting, feeding, dressing, and transfers; physically restrain or escort students when required under applicable guidelines.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, ladders, or stools, and reach, grasp, carry, push, or pull as needed.
Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds; safely lift 50 pounds each in a two-person lift, with potentially higher demands depending on assignment and student needs.
Oral and auditory capacity to interact interpersonally or through communication devices, and visual and manual coordination for equipment and writing utensils.

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.
Carry out instructional programs and lessons in designated learning environments and reinforce teacher-introduced material with small groups under teacher supervision.
Support students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals through meal preparation, feeding, communication, oral-motor, sensory-integration, and physical activities.
Assist with medical and personal-care tasks, including dispensing medication, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, and suctioning; clean and disinfect bodily fluids and sanitize equipment and materials.
Maneuver and secure wheelchairs; assist students with dressing, transfers, movement between locations, and other physical tasks.
Provide initial first aid or emergency care and perform delegated nursing practices when trained.
Carry out programming using physical therapy support equipment and monitor behavior contracts and reward systems.
Use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques for behavioral management when appropriate, including physical restraint or escorting students as needed and in accordance with guidelines.
Assist with non-standardized testing, tutoring, recitation, reading, curriculum tasks, story time, and development of games and teaching aids.
Help students prepare, produce, and maintain materials and equipment; coordinate assignments or job tasks with classroom teachers or employers.
Work with students individually and in groups, including in community-based settings, and assist them in the classroom, library, and other locations.
Monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, bus loading, computer use, and use of swimming pools, weight rooms, or therapy pools.
Attend required pre-job and ongoing training and meetings, including training related to occupational and physical therapy and specific student needs.
Serve as a resource to the student personnel evaluation team concerning assigned students when needed.
Work with teachers to integrate assistive technology into classrooms.
Maintain student files and records, collect assessment and monitoring data, and complete daily paperwork.
Maintain, order, and organize program materials and equipment inventory; perform clerical tasks, laminate materials, and prepare bulletin boards.