Middle School Special Education Paraeducator/Personal Care Assistant (PCA)

Environmental Charter School; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environmental Charter School is seeking a Middle School Special Education Paraeducator / Personal Care Assistant (PCA) for the 2026-27 school year. This role supports students' health, behavioral needs, and academic progress under IEP guidance, collaborating with teachers and specialists to implement individualized plans.

Ideal candidates are energetic, progressive-minded, flexible, and eager to work with students in a charter-school environment.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of post-high school education or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution preferred
• Familiarity with charter schools and working with students

Responsibilities

• Support health and behavioral needs per IEPs as documented
• Assist with eating, dressing, grooming, toileting, daily living activities, and behavior support
• Reteach and reinforce academic, behavior, or language skills as directed by a special education teacher
• Support teachers in preparing classroom materials and resources
• Attend grade-level meetings and participate in weekly professional development opportunities

Skills

Progressive-minded

Collaborative approach

Flexibility

Communication with teachers

Education

Post-secondary education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Middle School Special Education Paraeducator/Personal Care Assistant (PCA)

The Environmental Charter School is seeking candidates for its 2026-27 school year.

Successful candidates must be progressive-minded and embody a can-do spirit and work ethic. Must be flexible in carrying out their responsibilities in support of students' needs and classroom duties.

OUR PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION

As the world changes and becomes increasingly more complex, global citizens will need to be equipped with skills that allow them to be flexible thinkers, creative problem solvers, and effective leaders. ECS offers a program that develops students into critical thinkers, thoughtful innovators, and well-rounded scholars. We provide students with the tools and educational foundation to become tomorrow’s global citizens, and we strive to teach students how their choices impact the world around them. By using environmental content as a lens for instruction, ECS provides students a context in which to explore ideas and observations, to practice inquiry, and to actively problem-solve. Throughout their academic career at ECS, students build core skills across all disciplines and then actively apply these skills to support the impact of learning.

WORKING AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHARTER SCHOOL

The Environmental Charter School’s faculty and staff are passionate, talented, and uncompromising with a mission to make sure all students succeed at a high level, following our guiding principles of catalyst, character, collaboration, and commitment. Every aspect of our organization and program is designed – and continually refined – to ensure that goal. Our work is student-centered, constantly improving, and reflective. ECS’s progressive approach to education challenges faculty to take risks. We strongly value collaboration and recognize the power of systems thinking. Our high achievement scores, long waiting lists, and unique location in the city of Pittsburgh serve as a model in environmentally-focused education.

OVERVIEW

The Middle School Special Education Paraeducator / Personal Care Assistant has a strong interest in supporting students. The role works collaboratively with classroom teachers, special educators, building specialists, and the Building and Department Leadership Teams. Candidates should be energetic and progressive-minded, with a willingness to work collaboratively with the building staff.

KeyResponsibilities

• Services provided by the Special Education Paraeducator / Personal Care Assistant (PCA) are related to students’ individual health and behavioral needs as documented in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Assistance with eating, dressing, grooming, toilet needs, activities of daily living, behavioral assistance, support on the school bus, and remedial activities to reduce the impact of a student’s disability.
• Reteach and/or reinforce academic, behavior, or language skills designed by a special education teacher
• Support teachers in the preparation of classroom materials and resources
• Attend grade-level meetings at least monthlyFully participate in opportunities for professional growth, including weekly professional development meetings, instructional coaching, and outside professional opportunities

Educational Background and Work Experience

• At least 2 years of post-high school education is required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is preferred.
• Familiarity with charter schools and working with students

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary of $33,772 plus participation in acomprehensive benefits plan including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, paid time off, and participation in a generous 403b retirement plan.

Clearances current within one year of hire date will be required and include Arrest & Conviction Disclosure, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Clearance (Act 34), and FBI Criminal Background Check (Act 114). Commonwealth of PA Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release (Act 168) and Mandatory Reporter Training will also be required.

ECS is an equal opportunity employer.