Instructional Assistant Special Education II - Self-Contained - Sousa Elementary School

Sousa Elementary; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Sousa Elementary in Mesa, Arizona is seeking an Instructional Assistant Special Education II - Self-Contained to support certified teachers and students under IEPs. The role includes assisting with instruction, data collection, and daily living tasks for students with disabilities.

The position is full-time (32.5 hours per week) with a base hourly rate of $19.89, benefits including sick leave and health insurance, and eligibility for annual performance pay.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or 60 college credit hours required at time of hire or pass the ParaPro Test.
• Previous experience and record of effectiveness in similar roles.

Responsibilities

• Deliver, under teacher direction, classroom work and reinforce objectives.
• Assist in developing instructional materials and maintaining the classroom.
• Assist in the collection of data on academic and behavior goals as instructed.
• Implement positive behavior intervention plans for students with challenging behaviors.
• Perform general clerical tasks to support the teacher and maintain student files.

Skills

Special Education Support

Data Collection

Student Supervision

Verbal & Written Communication

Team Collaboration

Education

Associate’s Degree or 60 college credit hours

ParaPro Test

Tools

Basic Computer Skills

Job description

Instructional Assistant Special Education II - Self-Contained - Sousa Elementary School

Mesa USD 4 Sousa Elementary - Mesa, Arizona Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5894270

Application Deadline: Sep 30, 2026 11:59 PM (Mountain Standard Time)

Re-Posted: Aug 20, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 28, 2026

Job Description

• 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: $19.89

Class/Calendar: B21,9.25 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 aten-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 themonitoring and instruction of special education students implementing the Individual Education Plans; to assist students in performingtheir 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, tutoringand 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
• Perform and provide support tasks in accordance with district procedures as required based on student need, including but not limited to:
• Behavior management techniques where elopement behavior both on and off campus happens on a regular basis
• District identified behavior management strategies (A.S.P.E.N.)
• Physical interventions to remediate severe emotional and behavior dysregulation when the students presents as a danger to self or others
• Transfers and/or lifts for non-ambulatory students to assist them in the performance of their daily activities
• Tube feeding
• Diapering (may require use of Hoyer hydraulic lift)
• Seizure intervention
• Aerosol generating procedures
• Frequently 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 asafe 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
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit
• 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
• Previous experience and record of effectiveness in similar roles

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 prioritizeand to followclassroom 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)

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.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $19.89 Per Hour

Job Categories: Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required