Educational Assistant - Special Education EVHS

Young World Physical Education; Espanola (NM); On-site; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Young World Physical Education in Espanola, NM, is seeking an Educational Assistant for Special Education. The role focuses on supporting disabled pupils to fully benefit from special education programs through both physical assistance and emotional support.

The ideal candidate will work closely with assigned students, assisting them in various tasks, providing supervision, and maintaining a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality regarding student information. A minimum of high school education is required, along with excellent interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Prefer prior work with special education children.
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the student(s) to whom assigned in physical tasks.
• Support student(s) with school work under supervision.
• Establish a supportive relationship with the student(s).
• Guide the student(s) during curriculum tasks.
• Assist students in recreational activities.

Education

High school graduate minimum or GED

AA degree or Para Pro Exam

Minimum of 60 semester hours of college credit

Job description

Educational Assistant – Special Education

Starting Date: Aug 3, 2026

General Job Information

• Title: Educational Assistant – Special Education
• Work Unit/Location: EVHS
• Reports to: Teacher and Principal
• Supervises: Assigned students
• Contract Length: 163
• Pay Schedule: Educational Assistant
• Hours: 7:21 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
• Union Status: Union
• Licensure: NMPED Level III Educational Assistant

General Job Function

To work closely with one or a few disabled pupils on a regular basis in an effort to provide them with the physical help and emotional support they need to gain as full benefits from the district’s special education program as possible.

Education / Training / Experience

• High school graduate minimum or GED
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• AA degree or Para Pro Exam

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prefer prior work with special education children.
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish are preferred.

Resources Used

Standard office equipment and vehicle for district travel. A district car may be used or if the employee uses his/her vehicle mileage reimbursement is available.

Physical / Cognitive Requirements

Regularly required to walk, talk, and listen. Frequently required to stand and sit. Use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. Light lifting at times.

Environmental Conditions

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Essential Job Functions

• Assists the student(s) to whom assigned in such physical tasks as moving from room to room and using the restroom.
• Assists the student(s) to whom assigned with eating.
• Under supervision of the special education teacher works with the student(s) to whom assigned to complete any school work.
• Accompanies the student(s) to whom assigned any time the student leaves the special education classroom.
• Establishes as fully as possible a supportive and sympathetic relationship with the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Hears the student(s) in recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks, guiding and helping them but not teaching them.
• Greets the student(s) daily upon the student’s arrival to school and accompanies the student(s) without fostering or encouraging intense emotional involvement.
• Accompanies and assists student(s) in recreation and leisure activities and instruction (i.e. swimming, bowling, field trips, etc).
• Any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Educational

• Works with individual, small and large groups of students to reinforce learning and enhance skills.
• Checks notebooks, correct papers, and assists with the administration of assignments and make-up work as assigned by the teacher.
• Reads to students, listens to students read, and participates in other positive forms of oral communication with students.
• Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, and field trips.
• Alerts the teacher to any concerns specific to the student(s).
• Assists students in the library or media center.
• Helps students with their clothing.
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality of student information.

General

• Serves as the chief source of information and assistance to any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the teacher.
• Operates instructional equipment used in the classroom.
• Helps the teacher create bulletin boards and other classroom learning displays.
• Collects and records the collection of money as assigned by the teacher.
• Assist with snack, lunch and bathroom procedures.
• Participates in in-service training programs, as assigned.

Performs all duties assigned and deemed necessary by the teacher or principal.

Specific Job Requirements

• Must possess and utilize excellent team-building skills.
• Must accept delegated responsibilities willingly.
• Just be able to work under occasional stress.
• Must be familiar with child restraining methods, first aid and CPR and capable of utilizing child restraint, if necessary.

Personal Accountability

• Demonstrates reliability as evidenced by attendance records and punctuality.
• Properly notifies supervisor and/or designee of absences or tardiness.
• Begins and completes work within the allotted time.
• Consistently appears in attire appropriate to the work environment.
• Demonstrates skill in the use of equipment including its capabilities, limitations and appropriate/special application.
• Protects the District’s resources through appropriate and careful use of supplies and equipment.
• Utilizes appropriate body mechanics to aid in the prevention of muscle strain/injury.
• Minimum of 60 semester hours of college credit from a regionally accredited college or university with 15 of those credits being in language arts (3 hours), mathematics (3 hours), writing (3 hours), and reading, writing, math readiness, or professional education (6 hours); or Associate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with 15 of those credits being in language arts (3 hours), mathematics (3 hours), writing (3 hours), and reading, writing, math readiness, or professional education (6 hours); or Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university with credits as listed above.

Terms of Employment

Determined by student needs.

Evaluation

The performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on Evaluation of Support Services Personnel.