2026-27 SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care - Desert Trails ES

Desert Trails ES; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 20,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

ASRS

Paid sick/personal time

Medical and optional dental/vision

Job summary

Desert Trails ES in Phoenix, AZ, is seeking an SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care for the 2026-27 school year. The role involves supporting special education students one-on-one, following educational and behavioral plans, and reporting daily activities.

The position is non-interim and runs for 9 months, 6.5 hours per day, with a starting date of August 3, 2026. Benefits include ASRS, paid sick/personal time, and healthcare options.

Qualifications

• Adheres to safety practices and maintains accurate records.
• Ability to follow IEP goals and behavioral plans.
• Communicates with teachers and health professionals to support progress.

Responsibilities

• Assists medically fragile or disabled students with personal care.
• Documents daily activities and behavior for logs and progress.
• Models appropriate social behavior and supports learning concepts.
• Maintains files to meet mandated requirements.
• Remains with student to ensure safety and de-escalate when needed.
• Provides instruction under teacher supervision to support IEP goals.

Skills

Safety practices

Accurate records

Follow IEP goals

Communication with teachers

Basic math

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

2026-27 SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care - Desert Trails ES

Paradise Valley USD 69 Desert Trails ES - Phoenix, Arizona Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Paradise Valley Unified School District

Job Details

Job ID: 5574392
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Re-Posted: Aug 05, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 3, 2026

Job Description

Instructional Assistant/Personal Care - Special Education

Location: Desert Trails Elementary School

9 months, 6.5 hours/day

Grade 16, $16.99/hour

Non-Interim Position

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

Requirement: HS Diploma or GED

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

Purpose Statement

The job ofInstructional 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.

Responsibility

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 Educ./Training

CPI Certificate

Maintains Certificates and/orLicenses

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

Position Type: 6.5 hrs/day
Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Individual Aide

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Desert Trails ES
• Phone: [phone]

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