2026/27 SPED Instructional Assistant/Special Needs - Desert Trails ES

Paradise Valley Unified School District; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 31,500 - 38,500; 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 hiring an Instructional Assistant for special education at Desert Trails Elementary School. This role supports students with special needs through various tasks and requires a high school diploma or GED.

The position involves working under the direction of a supervising teacher, maintaining a safe environment, and assisting with both academic and daily living activities of students. It offers a salary of $16.99/hour and benefits including ASRS and medical options.

Qualifications

• Ability to assist with daily living skills and special needs of students.
• Knowledge of instructional procedures and child development.
• Skills in problem solving with flexibility in changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to instructional program in special education.
• Assist in the supervision and care of special needs students.
• Implement plans for instruction and monitor student behavior.

Skills

Adhering to safety practices

Operating standard office equipment

Maintaining accurate records

Communication with diverse groups

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Instructional Assistant / Special Needs – Special Education

Location: Desert Trails Elementary School

9 months, 6.5 hours/day

Grade 16, $16.99/hour

Non-Interim Position

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

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

Requirement: HS Diploma or GED

Purpose Statement

The job of Instructional Assistant- Special Education is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for assisting in the supervision, care and instruction of special needs students in the regular classroom, a self-contained classroom and/or with an individual student; assisting in implementing plans for instruction; monitoring student behavior during non-classroom time; and providing information to appropriate school personnel. 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.
• Administers tests, homework, make-up work, etc. for the purpose of supporting teachers in the classroom.
• Assists medically fragile, physically disabled, or developmentally delayed students (e.g. lifting, feeding, toilet training, diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining students' personal hygiene and immediate healthcare needs.
• Attends meetings and in-service presentations (e.g. first aid, CPR, emergency procedures, etc.) for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to job functions.
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and parents for the purpose of assisting in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Escorts students (e.g. bathroom, office classroom, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and safe arrival to and/or from destination.
• Implements under the supervision of assigned teachers, 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.
• Intervenes in potential conflicts utilizing appropriate physical and/or therapeutic approaches for the purpose of diffusing confrontations and minimizing disruptions.
• Documents instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/records for the purpose of ensuring availability of items; 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.
• Monitors students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g. rest rooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining a safe and positive learning environment.
• Performs general clerical functions (e.g. copying, filing, data entry, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the instructional program.
• Provides, under the supervision of assigned teacher, instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g. academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, job skills, etc.) for the purpose of reinforcing instructional objectives; implementing IEP plans; assisting in adapting to mainstream classroom/s and/or work place; and ensuring students success in school.
• Remains with students at all times for the purpose of providing for the safety of students, removing students 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; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records.

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: instructional procedures and practices; age appropriate student activities; safety practices and procedures; conflict resolution; stages of child development/ behavior.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job‑related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different 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 may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; working with constant interruptions; maintaining a positive rapport with students, employees and community.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; utilization of some resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. 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, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 10% sitting, 60% walking, and 30% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience

Job related experience is desired.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates and Licenses

CPR Certificate
First Aid Certificate

Continuing Educ./Training

QBS Certificate
Maintains Certificates and/or Licenses

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.