2026-27 Instructional Assistant/SPED Special Needs EDP HQ - Shea MS

Paradise Valley Unified School District; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 33,000 - 40,000; 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 seeking an Instructional Assistant to support special needs students. This role involves adapting classroom activities, providing personal care, and working closely with instructional staff to implement individualized education plans (IEP).

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and must possess essential skills for assisting students and maintaining a positive learning environment. The position is full-time with a focus on promoting student safety and success.

Qualifications

• Ability to assist students with personal hygiene and healthcare needs.
• Skills in supporting special education instruction.
• Capacity to work under direct supervision.

Responsibilities

• Assist in supervising, caring, and instructing special needs students.
• Adapt classroom activities to support learning objectives.
• Communicate progress with instructional staff and parents.

Skills

Adhering to safety practices

Operating standard office equipment

Preparing and maintaining accurate records

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CPR Certificate

First Aid Certificate

Job description

Instructional Assistant / SPED Special Needs EDP HQ

Location: Shea Middle School

9 months, 6.75 hours/day

Grade 17, $17.50/hour

Non-Interim Position

Start Date: 8/3/2026

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- Special Education is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom, a self-contained classroom and/or with an individual student; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during non-classroom time; and providing information to appropriate school personnel.

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.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc. for the purpose of supporting teachers in the classroom.
• Assists medically fragile, physically disabled, or developmentally delayed students (e.g. lifting, feeding, toilet training, diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining students' personal hygiene and immediate healthcare needs.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations (e.g. first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and parents for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Escorts students (e.g. bathroom, office classroom, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and safe arrival to and/or from destination.
• Implements under the supervision of assigned teachers, behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions for the purpose of presenting and/or reinforcing learning concepts.
• Intervenes in potential conflicts utilizing appropriate physical and/or therapeutic approaches for the purpose of diffusing confrontations and minimizing disruptions.
• Documents instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items; 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.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g. rest rooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Performs general clerical functions (e.g. copying, filing, data entry, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the instructional program.
• Provides, under the supervision of assigned teacher, instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g. academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, job skills, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans; assisting in adapting to mainstream classroom/s and/or work place; and ensuring students success in school.
• Remains with students at all times for the purpose of providing for the safety of students, removing students 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 required to perform multiple tasks with a potential need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies include adhering to safety practices; operating standard office equipment; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• Knowledge required to perform basic math, read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, present information to others, and understand complex written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies include instructional procedures and practices; age appropriate student activities; safety practices and procedures; conflict resolution; stages of child development/behavior.
• Ability required to schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Includes flexibility to work with others; problem solving to identify issues and create action plans.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. 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 require significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 10% sitting, 60% walking, and 30% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience

Job related experience is desired.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Required Testing

N/A

Certificates and Licenses

• CPR Certificate
• First Aid Certificate

Continuing Education / Training

• QBS Certificate
• Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses

Clearances

• Criminal Background Clearance
• Valid Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card (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.