2026-27 SPED Instructional Assistant - Certified - Various Locations

Paradise Valley Unified School District; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Paradise Valley Unified School District is seeking an Instructional Assistant - Certified to support instructional programs at the school site in the absence of the regular ESP employee. This interim role may not continue into the next school year and may transfer within the year based on district needs.

The position reports to the Site Administrator and involves maintaining a positive learning environment, collaborating with staff and parents, and ensuring safety and confidentiality in daily

Qualifications

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: BS/BA required.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a positive learning environment for all students and staff.
• Communicates with administration, staff, and/or parents to convey information.
• Supports classroom teachers and school personnel to ensure a safe learning environment.
• Monitors students in various settings to ensure compliance with guidelines and safety.
• Maintains confidentiality of student and staff records.
• Refers incidents to site personnel for follow-up per safety guidelines.
• Responds to incidents to resolve safety concerns and direct to appropriate personnel.
• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure efficient functioning of the unit.

Job description

Special Education Instructional Assistant - Certified

Location: Various

Hours: Varies

Grade 25: $21.51/hr - $23.06/hr (Based on experience)

Interim Position

Instructional Assistant Certified: Special Needs, Resource, Personal Care, Connections, Roadrunner

Purpose Statement

The job of the Instructional Assistant - Certified is to support the instructional program at the school site in the absence of the regular ESP employee. The position is interim status meaning it may not continue into the following school year, and is potentially, though not necessarily intended, subject to transfer within the year based on the overall needs of district programming.

This job reports to the Site Administrator

Essential Functions

• Maintains a positive learning environment for all students and a professional relationship with all staff in accordance with district policy.
• Communicates with administration, staff, and/or parents for the purpose of conveying information.
• Supports classroom teachers and other school personnel to help ensure a safe and positive learning environment.
• Monitors individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings for the purpose of ensuring student compliance with established guidelines and maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Maintains confidentiality of all student and staff records.
• Refers incidents including personal injuries, altercations, suspicious activities, rule violations, etc. to appropriate site personnel for the purpose of ensuring follow-up in accordance with administrative, site security and student safety guidelines.
• Reports observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g. accidents, fights, inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel.
• Responds to a variety of situations (e.g., injured student, fights, vandalism, etc.) for the purpose of resolving immediate safety or security concerns and/or directing to appropriate personnel for resolution.
• 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 single tasks using existing skills. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to district policy, safety practices, and procedures; and operating standard office equipment, including pertinent software applications.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math; read and follow instructions; and understand written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development and learning styles; age-appropriate activities; and school safety and security practices.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities; collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others; work with data utilizing specific, defined processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals; work with specific, job-related data; and utilize specific, job-related equipment. Some problem-solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans. Problem-solving with data requires adherence to prescribed guidelines, whereas problem-solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; and working as part of a team.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision in some cases; working under immediate supervision in some cases; and leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine-motor dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 45% walking, and 45% standing. The job is performed under extreme temperatures and in conditions with some exposure to the risk of injury and/or illness.

Education: BS/ BA Required

Required Testing

Certificates and Licenses:

• Substitute Certificate / Arizona Teaching Certificate
• First Aide/ CPR Certificates

Clearances

Criminal Background Clearance

Valid Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

www.azdps.gov/services/public/fingerprint

First Aid/ CPR Certificates

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 NonDiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.