2026-27 SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care - Wildfire ES

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and optional Dental/Vision benefits

Paid Sick/Personal Time

ASRS Retirement Benefits

Job summary

A public school district is seeking an SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care professional to support special needs students. This role involves adapting classroom activities, assisting with daily personal care, and collaborating with educational staff to implement IEP goals. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and required certifications in CPR and First Aid. This position offers a stable, supportive work environment focused on enhancing student success.

Qualifications

• Adapts classroom materials under teacher supervision.
• Assists students with personal hygiene and medical needs.
• Documents daily activities and behavior for logs.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional support to special needs students.
• Follow educational and behavioral plans as directed.
• Maintain a safe and positive learning environment.

Skills

Communication skills

Adaptability

Crisis intervention

Basic medical assistance

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

SPED Instructional Assistant/Personal Care

Location: Wildfire Elementary School

Term: 9 months, 6.5 hrs/day

Grade / Pay: 16, $16.99/hour

Position Type: Non-Interim Position

Start Date: 08/03/2026

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

Minimum Education: HS Diploma or GED

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.

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.

Responsibilities

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.

Required Testing, Certificates & Licenses

• CPR Certificate
• First Aid Certificate
• CPI Certificate

Clearances

• Criminal Background Clearance
• Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

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.