Instructional Assistant Special Education I - Self Contained - Specialized Student Services

NAFSA: Association of International Educators; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Holidays

Retirement matched

Health insurance

Life insurance

Performance pay

Job summary

Mesa Public Schools is seeking an Instructional Assistant Special Education I - Self Contained to support certified teachers in implementing IEPs and assisting students with academics, daily living, and health care tasks.

Under supervision, you will reinforce classroom objectives, help prepare materials, and aid in data collection for goals and progress monitoring. This role may require personal care assistance and campus transitions throughout the day.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or 60 college credit hours; ParaPro Test option available.
• Experience working with children.

Responsibilities

• Deliver, under teacher’s direction, classroom work/homework and reinforce objectives.
• Assist in development of instructional materials and classroom maintenance.
• Collect data on academic and behavior goals as instructed.
• Implement positive behavior intervention plans for students with challenging behaviors.
• Respond to problem behaviors according to plans and policies.
• Assist students with personal care needs when required to ensure functioning in school.
• Accompany students during transitions across campus.
• Supervise small groups to maintain a safe learning environment.
• Maintain classroom and equipment for safety.
• Perform clerical tasks to support teachers and student files.
• Attend meetings to improve skills and knowledge.
• Maintain regular and on-time attendance.
• Assist with other duties as appropriate.

Skills

MPS Portrait of a Graduate

Student-centered support

Special education support

Strong communication

Stress management

Basic computer skills

Organization and prioritization

Education

Associate’s Degree or 60 college credits

ParaPro Test option

Job description

Instructional Assistant Special Education I - Self Contained - Specialized Student Services

Employer Mesa USD 4 Location Mesa, AZ Closing date Sep 25, 2026

Specialty Student & Scholar Services Position Type Assistant Hours Full-time Employment Type Permanent Organization Type Other

Job Details

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type

Full-time (32.5 hours per week)

Base Hourly

$17.57

Class/Calendar

A11b, 9.25 months

Benefits

Sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay

Available annually

New Hire Experience

1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum

New Hire Education

1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary

To assist, under direct supervision of certified teachers and specialists, in the monitoring and instruction of special education students implementing the Individual Education Plans; to assist students in performing their academic, daily living and health care activities; to relieve teacher of routine clerical tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver, under teacher’s direction, classroom work/homework and/or reinforce classroom objectives, tutoring and guided practice
• Assist the development of instructional materials and maintenance of classroom
• Assist in the collection of data on academic and behavior goals as instructed
• Implement positive behavior intervention plans for students who display challenging behaviors including verbal and physical aggression
• Respond to problem behaviors according to the student’s positive behavior intervention plan and district crisis intervention policy
• May be required to assist students who need support in addressing personal care needs due to a severe medical condition and/or physical limitations (i.e. toileting, feeding, dressing suctioning, etc) to ensure their functioning in a school environment
• Accompany students as they transition across campus
• Monitor individual and/or small student groups in classroom and/or on the playground to maintain a safe and positive learning environment; facilitate social peer interactions
• Maintain classroom and student equipment to ensure a safe environment
• Model professional, safe, responsible and respectful behavior
• Perform general clerical tasks to support the teacher in the maintenance of student files and to provide classroom materials
• Participate in various meetings to share information and/or improve one’s skills and/or knowledge
• Regular and on-time attendance required
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or 60 college credit hours required at time of hire OR pass the ParaPro Test provided by the district free of charge
• Experience working with children

Skills & Competencies

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Ability and willingness to work with special education students who may require specialized instruction to meet academic, social, and behavior goals
• Ability to work well with students, staff and parents; good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well in stressful situations
• Computer proficiency to include use of basic software applications (Word, Excel, etc)
• Ability to operate standard office equipment
• Ability to organize and prioritize and to follow classroom guidelines as put forth by classroom teacher

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Works closely with special education teachers, general education staff, therapists, and administrators
• May be resource rooms, inclusion settings, or self-contained classrooms
• Supports students with disabilities, which may include intellectual, developmental, emotional, or physical disabilities
• Each day can vary based on student needs, schedules, behavior, and support plans
• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, and kneel frequently throughout the day
• May need to lift or assist students who have physical disabilities, including transferring students to and from wheelchairs, standing frames, or other equipment (commonly 25-50 lbs, but sometimes more)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.