2026-2027 SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care HQ - Whispering Wind

Paradise Valley Unified School District; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 19,889 - 28,326; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASRS

Paid Sick/Personal Time

Medical and optional Dental/Vision

Job summary

Paradise Valley Unified School District is looking for an Instructional Assistant to support special needs students at Whispering Wind Academy. The role includes adapting classroom activities, assisting medically fragile students, and documenting daily activities to aid the instructional program. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED and appropriate certifications. This full-time position offers a rate of $17.50/hour for 6.5 hours per day over a 9-month school year.

Qualifications

• Must have 60 postsecondary hours of college coursework or AA degree.
• Must pass the ETS Parapro Assessment.
• Must hold valid CPR and First Aid certificates.

Responsibilities

• Adapts classroom activities under the direction of the teacher.
• Assists medically fragile or disabled students.
• Documents student's daily activities for logs.

Skills

Adhering to safety practices

Preparing and maintaining accurate records

Physical restraint practices

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

60 postsecondary hours or AA degree

Tools

CPR Certificate

First Aid Certificate

Job description

Instructional Assistant/Personal Care HQ - Special Education

Location: Whispering Wind Academy

Duration: 9 months, 6.5 hours/day

Grade: 17, $17.50/hour

Position type: Non-Interim Position

Dates: 8/3/2026 - 5/27/2027

Benefits: ASRS, Paid Sick/Personal Time, Medical and optional Dental/Vision

Highly Qualified (HQ) Requirements

• HS Diploma or GED and one of the following:
  • 60 postsecondary hours of college coursework
  • AA degree
  • Passing of ParaPro Assessment
• ETS Parapro Assessment ( https://www.ets.org/parapro )
• ACT Workkeys ( http://www.act.org )
• The Master Teacher Para Educator ( http://www.masterteacher.com/ParaEducator-PD-Now )

Purpose Statement

The job of Instructional Assistant/SPED Personal Care is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for working with special need students one-on-one; following educational and specific behavioral plans; and reporting students' daily activities.

This job reports to Teacher and/or Site Administrator.

Essential Functions

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives.
• Assists medically fragile, physically disabled, or developmentally delayed students (e.g., diapering, tube feeding, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining students' personal hygiene.
• Communicates with teacher/s and a variety of health care professionals (e.g., Speech Therapist, PTs, COTAs, etc.) for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Documents student's daily activities (e.g., behavior, completed assignments, on/off task times, etc.) for the purpose of completing daily logs and student's hourly activities.
• Evaluates situations involving other staff, students, parents, the public, etc. for the purpose of taking action and/or providing referral for resolution.
• Implements under the supervision of assigned teacher, behavioral plans designed by IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Maintains manual and electronic files and/or records for the purpose of providing written reference and/or meeting mandated requirements.
• Models conversation, manners, clean up activities, listening, job skills, and everyday interactions for the purpose of demonstrating appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Monitors student's daily schedule and behavior plan (e.g., class schedule, work schedule, personal hygiene, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides, under the supervision of assigned teacher, instruction to the student (e.g., math, science, reading, behavioral skills, daily living skills, writing, verbal skills, job skills, etc.) for the purpose of implementing IEP goals; assisting in adapting to mainstream classroom/s and/or work place; and ensuring students success.
• Remains with student at all times for the purpose of providing for the safety of student, removing student when necessary and de‑escalating situations outside the classroom.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; preparing and maintaining accurate records; physical restraint practices.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi‑step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: age appropriate activities when working with high risk youth; concepts of grammar and punctuation; methods of instruction and training.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; and use job‑related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing specific, defined processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of job‑related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; working with frequent interruptions; maintaining a good rapport with students, employees and community.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; there is a continual opportunity to have some impact on the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 50% sitting, 25% walking, and 25% standing. The job is performed under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness and in a clean atmosphere.

Experience

Job related experience is required.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Equivalency

Required Testing

Certificates and Licenses

• CPR Certificate
• First Aid Certificate

Continuing Education / Training

• CPI Certificate

Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses

Clearances

• Criminal Background Clearance
• Valid Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card ( https://www.azdps.gov/services/public/fingerprint )

FLSA Status - Non Exempt

Paradise Valley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the School's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), or Title II of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.