Educational Assistant (EA IV ) - Autism Center-Based Program

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

HSA

FSA

Life insurance

Disability insurance

EAP

Retirement plan

Job summary

Douglas County School District is seeking an Educational Assistant (EA IV) for the Autism Center-Based Program at Cougar Run Elementary. The role supports students with ASD, implements IEPs, and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to promote safe, structured learning and positive behavior.

The position involves behavioral and instructional support, with a schedule of 37.5 hours per week and a competitive hourly pay range. Benefits include health, vision, dental, and retirement options.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage and respond to complex and challenging student behaviors.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and collaborative work style.
• Experience working within a school-based or educational setting is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Respect confidentiality regarding student needs and abilities.
• Program & Safety Support: ensure safety and well-being of all students, collaborate with the educational team.
• Instructional Support: assist with IEP implementation and help students access curriculum and complete tasks.
• Behavioral Support & Intervention: implement BIPs and provide 1:1 or small group support for behaviors.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Skills

Behavior management

Interpersonal communication

Collaborative work style

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Educational Assistant (EA IV ) - Autism Center-Based Program

Job Description:

Provides specialized, intensive, and individualized support to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who may exhibit complex learning and/or behavioral challenges. As a critical member of the special education team, primarily responsible for implementing student-specific support plans and fostering a safe, structured, and therapeutic learning environment. Develops and promotes good community relations among various community members and school clientele.

ESSENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
Typical classroom noise
Mostly clean and comfortable
Work is generally performed in a typical education classroom environment with standard desk, equipment for students, fluorescent lighting, and moderate noise level.

EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES USED:
General classroom and office equipment

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

Responsibilities:

Respect confidentiality regarding student needs and abilities

• Program & Safety Support:

  • Ensure the safety and well-being of all students within the center and general education settings, addressing safety concerns immediately.
  • Collaborate with the Special Education Teacher, School Psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), and other team members.

• Instructional Support:

  • Assist the Special Education Teacher with the implementation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP)
  • Support students in accessing the curriculum and completing social/play, adaptives, and academic tasks, including tasks that are modified or accommodated based on the IEP.
  • Facilitate and model the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and other communication supports throughout the school day.
  • Support students’ meaningful inclusion in the general education classroom, including preparing for transitions and generalizing skills taught in the center.

• Behavioral Support & Intervention:

  • Implement student-specific Positive Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and behavior management strategies with fidelity.
  • Provide one-on-one (1:1) or small group support for students with significant safety and behavioral concerns, including but not limited to, aggression, self-injurious behaviors, and elopement.
  • Assist students with emotional regulation and coping skills, and support their access to sensory accommodations and a safe space.
  • Collect and maintain accurate daily data on student behavior and academic progress as required by the IEP team.

Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Education:

High School or Equivalent

Skills:

Demonstrated ability to manage and respond to complex and challenging student behaviors, Extremely strong interpersonal communication skills and a have a collaborative work style

Position Type:

Regular

Primary Location:

Cougar Run Elementary

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 indicatesa year-round position. Time off [or Off-Track Days] are thengranted 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:

January 6, 2027