Instructional Assistant - SPED Autism

Westminster Public Schools; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 3,520,000 - 4,264,000; Full time

Job summary

Mesa Elementary School in Westminster, CO is seeking an ESP—Instructional Assistant to support students with significant cognitive and behavioral disabilities, including autism. Work is 8 hours per day, 181 days per year at Westminster Public Schools.

Position requires strong communication, safety awareness, and ability to collaborate with diverse staff. Training and ongoing district support are provided, with confidentiality and FERPA requirements observed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus an Associate Degree, 48 college semester credits, or ParaPro PRAXIS/Workkeys.
• Must complete SEPA training within 90 calendar days of employment.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to read, write, and comprehend English.

Responsibilities

• Provides instructional support for students with Autism both inside and outside the Autism classroom.
• Ensures and supports student safety, student supervision, in-school transport, and personal care of students that require it.
• Modifies assignments/projects to students' level of understanding per their disability.
• Paper management (copies, communication notebooks, grading, progress monitoring, etc.)
• Serves as a scribe for students that require it.
• Participates in required training/professional development offered by the District.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Office equipment familiarity

Reading and writing English

Diversity awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent + Associate Degree or 48 credits or ParaPro

Job description

Position Type: ESP - Instructional Assistant Date Posted: 9/2/2026 Location: MESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Closing Date: Until filled Additional Information: Show/Hide

8 hours per day, 181 days per year

CLASSIFICATION: INST 03 ($25.55-$29.95 per hour)

Minimum Qualifications

• Highly qualified requirement: High school diploma or equivalent plus an Associate Degree, 48 college semester credits, or ParaPro PRAXIS/Workeys. For those who do not have an Associate Degree, 48 college semester credits, or ParaPro PRAXIS/Workkeys, Westminster Public Schools offers an alternative method of meeting the highly qualified requirement through district sponsored classes and district assessment.
• Must complete the SEPA training within 90 calendar days of employment.
• Work with students who have significant cognitive and behavioral disabilities, including autism
• Must pass various pre-employment background and screenings (external applicants only)
• Obtain CPI training & certification
• Must have or be willing to obtain First Aide/CPR certification
• Must possess strong work ethic and positive work attitude
• Must be willing to address toileting and/or safety needs to students with more significant disabilities.
• Oral and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate, interact, work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds.
• Must adhere to confidential requirements of the student, per FERPA
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the work place, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator
• Operating knowledge of and experience with typical office equipment, such as telephones, copier fax machine, e-mail, desktop/laptop computer, assistive tech devices
• Must be able to read, write, and comprehend English
• Experience and skills working with culturally diverse populations desired

Job Responsibilities

• Provides instructional support for students with Autism both inside and outside the Autism classroom
• Ensures and supports student safety, student supervision, in-school transport, and personal care (e.g., toileting, medical, feeding) of students that require it
• Modifies assignments/projects to students' level of understanding per their disability
• Paper management (copies, communication notebooks, grading, progress monitoring, etc.)
• Serves as a scribe for students that require it
• Participates in required training/professional development offered by the District
• Performs other duties as assigned

Westminster Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. District policy prohibits discrimination against any applicant on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, age, or disability, or other legally protected characteristics. Westminster Public Schools is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities. To request reasonable accommodation or to address matters of discrimination, please contact the Chief of Staff, 6933 Raleigh Street, Westminster, CO 80030, phone: [phone], email: [e-mail].

Although the position is based at a school/department, the employer is Westminster Public Schools.