Educational Assistant (EA IV) - Significant Support Needs (SSN) Program

Douglas County School District; Highlands Ranch (CO); On-site; USD 27,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plans

Job summary

Douglas County School District is seeking an Educational Assistant (EA IV) at ThunderRidge High School to provide intensive support to students with Significant Support Needs. In collaboration with a licensed special education teacher, you will assist with functional and life skills, health procedures, personal care, and safety within a structured learning environment.

Responsibilities include implementing IEP goals, supporting communication through PECS and AAC, and supervising during

Qualifications

• Experience working with students with significant cognitive or physical disabilities is preferred.
• Experience with medical needs or complex disabilities preferred.
• Willingness to receive training and assist with mobility and personal care tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist with student positioning, transferring, and mobility using specialized equipment.
• Monitor and provide delegated health care procedures, including seizure monitoring and emergency medication.
• Maintain a safe and clean learning environment for students.
• Closely supervise students during transitions, outdoor activities, and mealtimes to ensure safety.
• Support the implementation of IEP goals and functional skills in collaboration with the teacher.
• Support daily living and functional skills such as dressing, feeding, toileting, and personal hygiene.
• Aid students in using communication methods, including sign language, PECS, and AAC devices.

Skills

IEP implementation

Health plan adherence

Behavior protocols

Student dignity and safety

Independence promotion

Personal care assistance

Toileting and mobility

Lifting and transferring

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Educational Assistant (EA IV) - Significant Support Needs (SSN) Program

Under the direction and guidance of a licensed special education teacher and staff, provides specialized, intensive, and individualized support to students with Significant Support Needs (SSN), including those with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities and possible physical, health, or medical impairments. As a critical member of the special education team, supports functional, academic, and life skills instruction, assists with personal care and medical needs, and promotes student safety, engagement, and independence within a structured and supportive learning environment. Develops and promotes good community relations among various community members and school clientele.

Experience working with children or young adults with significant cognitive or physical disabilities, or complex medical needs is preferred.

Essential Physical Requirements

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

Equipment Used

General classroom and office equipment

Essential Environmental Demands

Typical classroom noise

Mostly clean and comfortable

Responsibilities

Position Specific Information (if Applicable):

• Health, Mobility, & Safety:
  • Assist with student positioning, transferring (e.g., from wheelchair to stander, floor to chair), and mobility using specialized equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers, lifts, standers).
  • Monitor and provide delegated health care procedures, which may include seizure monitoring, administration of emergency medication (e.g., Diastat, Epipen), or basic first aid, following all required training and protocols.
  • Maintain a safe and clean learning environment, including cleaning/sanitizing equipment and materials used for personal care and instruction.
  • Closely supervise students during transitions, outdoor activities, and during mealtimes to ensure safety and prevent injury.

Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

• Functional & Life Skills Support:
  • Support the implementation of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals in collaboration with the Special Education Teacher, including academics, functional skills, communication, social skills, and vocational training.
  • Provide support to students with Significant Support Needs (SSN) across settings, including general education environments, by ensuring access to accommodations, reinforcing academic instruction, and implementing behavior management strategies, regardless of EEO status
  • Support students with daily living and functional skills, including but not limited to, dressing, feeding (including G-tube feeding as trained and delegated), toileting/diapering, and personal hygiene.
  • Aid students in using various communication methods, including sign language, picture exchange systems (PECS), and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.

Certifications

Education: High School or Equivalent (Required)

Skills

Ability to follow written and verbal instructions for implementing IEPs, health plans, and behavior protocols with high fidelity, Strong commitment to student dignity, safety, and promoting the maximum level of independence for all students, Willingness and ability to assist students with personal care, toileting, and mobility, including lifting and transferring (with appropriate training and assistance)

Position Type

Regular

Primary Location

ThunderRidge High School

One Year Only (Yes Or No)

No

Scheduled Hours Per Week

37.5

Fte

0.94

Approx Scheduled Days Per Year

• (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 20, 2026