Educational Assistant (EA IV) - Affective Needs (AN) Program

Douglas County School District; Castle Rock (CO); On-site; USD 27,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, dental coverage

Retirement plan options (401(k), 403(b

457 retirement plan

Job summary

Douglas County School District at Mesa Middle School is seeking an Educational Assistant IV for the Affective Needs program. The role focuses on crisis intervention, emotional regulation, and a structured therapeutic learning environment to support students with complex behavioral needs.

You will work with SPED staff to implement IEP goals, promote SEL skills, and help students transition back to general education with appropriate support and safety measures.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, objective, and effective during student crises or high-stress behavioral situations.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills, with an emphasis on therapeutic and non-judgmental communication.
• Willingness and ability to complete required training in crisis management and maintain physical certification.

Responsibilities

• Implement crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies with fidelity, following CPI protocols.
• Collaborate with the SPED Teacher, School Psychologist, School Counselor, Social Worker and mental health professionals to ensure a unified approach.
• Assist with IEP goals related to social, emotional, and academic development.
• Support students in accessing the curriculum and managing school demands with appropriate scaffolding.
• Document daily data on student behavior and emotional progress as required by the IEP team.

Skills

Calm under crises

Therapeutic communication

Crisis management training

Education

High School or Equivalent (Required)

Job description

Educational Assistant (EA IV) - Affective Needs (AN) Program

Provides specialized, intensive, and individualized support to students with Affective Needs (AN), who exhibit complex emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. As a critical member of the special education team, is primarily responsible for implementing crisis intervention strategies, facilitating emotional regulation, and fostering a safe, structured, and therapeutic learning environment. Develops and promotes good community relations among various community members and school clientele.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Occasional lifting of forty (40) to seventy (70) pounds
• Frequent bending, standing, sitting, walking
• Occasional reaching, kneeling, bending, squatting, or standing
• Ability to run short distances

Equipment & Vehicles Used

General classroom equipment.

Essential Environmental Demands

• Mostly clean and comfortable.
• Some classroom level noise.

Program & Safety Support

• Maintain a high level of situational awareness to proactively identify and address escalating behaviors in the classroom and throughout the school.
• Collaborate closely with the Special Education Teacher, School Psychologist, School Counselor, Social Worker, and other mental health professionals to ensure a unified approach to student support.
• Ensure the immediate safety and well-being of all students, responding effectively to all safety and crisis concerns.
• Respect confidentiality regarding student needs and abilities.

Instructional Support

• Assist the Special Education Teacher with the implementation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals related to social, emotional, and academic development.
• Support students in accessing the curriculum, completing assignments, and managing the demands of the school environment, including tasks that are modified or accommodated based on the IEP.
• Facilitate restorative practices and social skills groups as directed by the teacher or school mental health professionals.
• Support students' successful transition and integration into the general education setting by providing scaffolding and emotional support.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Emotional & Behavioral Support

• Implement student-specific crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies with fidelity, adhering to established protocols (e.g., Nonviolent Crisis Intervention - CPI).
• Provide consistent and calm support to students during moments of emotional distress or behavioral crisis, facilitating a return to regulation.
• Assist students with developing and utilizing social-emotional learning (SEL) and coping skills, and support their appropriate use of a sensory/safe room or designated therapeutic space.
• Implement student-specific Positive Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), focusing on proactive strategies and teaching replacement behaviors.
• Collect and maintain accurate daily data on student behavior and emotional progress as required by the IEP team.

Certifications

First Aid & CPR Certification - American Heart Association

Education

High School or Equivalent (Required)

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, objective, and effective during student crises or high-stress behavioral situations.,
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills, with an emphasis on therapeutic and non-judgmental communication.,
• Willingness and ability to complete required training in crisis management and maintain physical certification.

Position Type

Regular

Primary Location

Mesa Middle School

One Year Only (Yes Or No)

No

Scheduled Hours Per Week

37.5

Fte

0.94

Approx Scheduled Days Per Year

180 Work Days

• (260 days indicates a year-round position. Time off [or Off-Track Days] are then granted based on the position. Any exceptions to the normal off-track time will be noted in the Additional Position Details section above, as scheduled work days.)

Minimum Hire Rate

$19.84 USD Hourly

Maximum Hire Rate

$25.20 USD Hourly

Full Salary Range

$19.84 USD - $30.55 USD Hourly

• All salary amounts listed above are based on a full-time (1.0) FTE. If applicable, part-time salaries will be prorated according to the assigned FTE.

Benefits

This position is eligible for health, vision, dental, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), District paid and voluntary additional (supplemental) life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, critical illness and accident voluntary insurance, employee assistance program (EAP), voluntary 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plan options.

Time Off Plans

This position is eligible for paid sick and personal time.

This position will be open until filled, but will not be open past:

November 12, 2026