2026-27 SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care - Pinnacle HS

Paradise Valley Unified School District; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 19,309 - 27,501; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASRS

Paid Sick/Personal Time

Medical and optional Dental/Vision

Job summary

A local school district is seeking an Instructional Assistant to support special needs students in an educational setting. This position involves one-on-one assistance, maintaining personal hygiene for medically fragile students, and documentation of daily activities. A high school diploma is required, along with CPR and First Aid certifications. The role offers an hourly wage of $16.99 and benefits including sick leave and medical options. This position is vital for enhancing the learning experience for children with special needs.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of math, reading, and grammar.
• Ability to gather data and schedule activities effectively.
• Experience in job-related functions is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for special needs students one-on-one.
• Assist students with personal hygiene as needed.
• Communicate with teachers and healthcare professionals.

Skills

Adhering to safety practices

Preparing and maintaining accurate records

Physical restraint practices

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Job-related equipment

Job description

Instructional Assistant/Personal Care - Special Education

Location: Pinnacle High School

9 months, 6.75 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 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: Adhering to safety practices; preparing and maintaining accurate records; physical restraint practices.
• Knowledge: Basic math (fractions, percents, ratios); reading manuals; writing documents; understanding complex, multi-step written and oral instructions; age appropriate activities for high risk youth; concepts of grammar and punctuation; methods of instruction and training.
• Ability: Schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; use job-related equipment; flexibility to work with others; work with data using defined processes; operate equipment using standardized methods; work with a wide diversity of individuals; problem solving to identify issues and create action plans; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; handling frequent interruptions; maintaining a good rapport with students, employees and community.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Job related experience is required.
• Certificates & Licenses: CPR Certificate; First Aid Certificate; CPI Certificate.
• Clearances: Criminal Background Clearance; Valid Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• FLSA Status: Non Exempt.

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.

EEO Statement

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.