Instructional Assistant

Ocotillo Elementary School; Yuma (AZ); On-site; USD 2,087,064 - 2,358,451; Full time

Job summary

Washington Elementary School District is seeking a paraprofessional to support teachers in a classroom setting, providing materials, assisting with student activities, and communicating with parents about progress and concerns.

The role involves supervision on the playground and in the cafeteria, and requires at least a high school diploma, 60 college credits or an associate degree, AZ IVP FPCC, and CPR certification within 30 days of hire. Starting pay ranges per hour.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required. Six months of experience with children preferred.
• Completion of 60 college credits or an associate degree or equivalent paraprofessional test as specified by WESD.
• Requires valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).
• Must receive CPR certification within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assist teachers in classroom activities and provide materials for students.
• Supervise students on playground and in cafeteria, ensuring safety and order.
• Assist with copying materials and preparing instructional supplies.
• Communicate with parents regarding student progress and concerns.
• Support lesson planning with feedback from students and teachers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

English proficiency

Classroom assistance

Student supervision

Communication with parents

Education

High School diploma

60 college credits

Associate’s degree

Arizona paraprofessional test

CPR certification

Job description

Washington Elementary School District 6Desert View - Phoenix, Arizona

Job ID: 5715833
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: May 04, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)
Starting Date: Immediately
Pay Grade: A (Non-Exempt Support Staff Salary Placement)
Department: Varies
Accountable To: Teacher
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Calendar: 195 days
Creation/Revision Date: July 10, 2019

Summary

Under direct supervision, incumbent(s) provides assistance to teachers in a classroom environment by providing materials and handouts to students, working with students individually or in groups on special projects or assignments, demonstrating skills and techniques, communicating with parents regarding specific concerns, providing input to lesson plans and daily activities, photocopying materials and preparing classrooms for various activities. In addition, incumbent(s) monitors students on the playground and in the cafeteria.

Essential Functions

• Works with students individually or in groups on special projects or assignments including spelling, reading, mathematics, comprehension levels and memorization of emergency information. Demonstrates skills and techniques in order to aid in student learning. Monitors student behavior and enforces school and classroom standards and policies.
• Monitors students and ensures safety on the playground and the cafeteria area before school, during breakfast and lunch, and during recess. Reports any unusual incidents or injury to school administration. Accompanies students from classrooms to other areas including the library, playground, and cafeteria and to buses to ensure orderly behavior.
• Maintains discipline by monitoring student behavior and taking the appropriate action including determining when to give a warning and when a formal notice should be written. Prepares incident documents including disciplinary actions and documentation for unusual incidents. Monitors student progress in reading and/or mathematics.
• Copies and prepares educational materials as needed.
• Prepares classrooms for activities including setting up tables and chairs and handing out materials. Performs clean up after activities including picking up toys and trash, washing tables and chairs and rearranging furniture.
• Communicates with parents regarding progress and concerns including improvements in specific academic areas, truancy and behavioral problems. Interprets communications between teachers and parents when necessary.
• Assists teachers in planning and coordinating lesson plans by sharing ideas and providing feedback from the students.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) prior to being hired, Completion of 60 College Credit Hours, Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university, or successfully passed an Arizona State approved paraprofessional test (offered by WESD at no cost and must pass prior to being hired, please contact HR for more information)
• Six months of working with children in a learning environment or related experience;
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).
• For Non-Title 1 Schools (LM and AL)
• For All Title I Schools:
  • High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) prior to being hired;
  • Completion of 60 College Credit Hours, Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university, or successfully passed a Arizona State approved paraprofessional test; offered by WESD at no cost and must pass prior to being hired, please contact HR for more information)
  • Must receive CPR certification within thirty days of hire date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in English and target language.
• Valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate.

Knowledge And Skills Required

• Demonstrating child development theories;
• Knowing basic mathematical concepts;
• Using typical activities within a classroom environment;
• Working with children;
• Maintaining student discipline;
• Demonstrating appropriate techniques and procedures;
• Facilitating group activities in a learning environment;
• Reviewing completed work assignments;
• Preparing classroom for various activities;
• Reading and following lesson plans;
• Applying school rules, policies and procedures;
• Engaging and encouraging communication skills while interacting with supervisors, staff, students, etc. to exchange information.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $15.15 to $17.12 Per Hour

Job Categories

Instructional Support > Individual Aide
Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA
Instructional Support > Tutor
Support Staff > Supervisory Aide

Contact Information

• Lydia Garcia
• 4650 W Sweetwater Ave
• Glendale, Arizona 85304
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

Washington Elementary School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Washington Elementary School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students.