2026-27 SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care HQ - Desert Cove ES

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 seeking an Instructional Assistant/Personal Care in Phoenix, AZ, to support the instructional program for special needs students. The role involves working closely with students and teachers to follow educational and behavioral plans.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma or equivalent and experience working with special needs students. The position comes with various benefits, including health insurance, and requires relevant certifications.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Job-related experience is required.
• Experience with students with special needs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one support to special needs students.
• Assist with personal hygiene tasks.
• Document students' daily activities.
• Communicate with teachers and healthcare professionals.

Skills

Basic math skills

Ability to perform multiple tasks

Flexibility to work with others

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CPR Certification

First Aid Certification

CPI Certification

Job description

Job Title

Instructional Assistant/Personal Care HQ - Special Education

Location

Desert Cove Elementary School

Job Details

• Duration: 9 months
• Hours per day: 6.5 hours
• Grade: 17
• Hourly Rate: $17.50 per hour
• Position Type: Non-Interim
• Start/End: 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; or
  • AA degree; or
  • Passing the 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) 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) for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Documents students' daily activities (e.g., behavior, completed assignments, on/off‑task times) for the purpose of completing daily logs and students' 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 the 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 students' daily schedule and behavior plan (e.g., class schedule, work schedule, personal hygiene) 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) for the purpose of implementing IEP goals; assisting in adapting to mainstream classroom/s and/or workplace; 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

• Skill to perform multiple tasks with potential need to upgrade skills to meet changing job conditions.
• Knowledge of basic math including fractions, percents, and/or ratios; ability to read manuals, write documents, present information.
• Ability to schedule activities, gather and collate data, use job‑related equipment; flexibility to work with others; problem solving.

Responsibility

• Working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; 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.

Required Testing, Certificates, and Licenses

• CPR Certificate
• First Aid Certificate
• CPI Certificate (Continuing Education/Training)

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