Para Educator - Center K-5

Jeffco Public Schools; Colorado; On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Jeffco Public Schools is seeking a Para-Educator for the Swanson Elementary Center in Arvada, CO. The role supports students with disabilities, helps implement IEPs, and provides instructional and behavioral support under the supervision of licensed staff.

Required is a high school diploma or GED; no prior experience is necessary. The position is full-time, nonexempt, 0.875 FTE, with 7 hours per day across 178 days per year.

Qualifications

• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• No prior experience required for this para-educator role.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional and behavioral support to students with disabilities.
• Assist in implementing IEPs and prepare instructional materials.
• Administer medications per district policy and document appropriately.
• Support lunch/recess/bus activities and supervise students.
• Follow safety protocols and de-escalation strategies as directed.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 69,000 students across 155 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.

Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.

Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. Come join us!

Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer. All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

Swanson Elementary is a diverse K-5 Title 1 neighborhood school located in Arvada. We proudly house two ASD center programs, a state-of-the-art STEM lab, and an award-winning library. We are building a culture of belonging where every staff member, family, and student feels seen and heard. Our collaborative environment is grounded in equity and mutual respect with multiple opportunities for shared leadership. We don't just work together; we grow together by valuing the unique perspectives that each individual brings to our school.

Our staff is dedicated and hard-working to ensure all students have what they need to engage in learning and be successful. We are a staff of risk takers, willing to try new things, keeping an open mind while we explore new learning together. We focus our efforts and make decisions based on what is best for students. We love and value our students, staff, families, and community and work hard to create a welcoming environment for all.

HOURS AND DAYS WORKED

Desired Start Date: 08/17/2026

Para Educ - Center

Annual Position

FLSA: Nonexempt

FTE: .87500 , Hours/Day: 7.000 , Days/Year: 178

Salary Plan, Grade, Step: CSEA - Para-Educator -8 hrs , D25, 1

Pay Range: $22.74 - $28.38 Effective as of: 08-16-2025

Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job‑specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT

The successful new hire or rehired candidate will be responsible to complete and incur the fingerprinting and processing fee of $54.50 through an appropriate fingerprinting vendor and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, within 48 hours of offer acceptance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

SUMMARY: Perform a full range of educational/non-educational duties primarily in center based programs for students with disabilities including SSN (Significant Support Needs II or III), SED (Serious Emotional Disability), and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide instructional and behavioral support in all academic and related areas to students, as directed by the teacher.
• Provide support to special education teacher such as preparing materials, assist in the implementation of IEP (Individualized Education Plan), provide input into the IEP when appropriate, deliver instructional materials for individual students, keep attendance and activity records, collect data for progress monitoring, and implement behavior intervention plans.
• Administer all medications, within the guidelines of District Policy JLCD to students and document appropriately as identified in District policy. District Area Nurse will delegate medication administration to Para-Educator. Para-Educator will follow medication administration protocols and guidelines under the Department of Health Services and will be monitored, documented, and audited by the District Area Nurse.
• Perform assigned lunch/recess/bus duties which include supervision in the cafeteria, playground and pre/post boarding of buses.
• Perform health and personal need duties as directed by teacher or nurse, including bathroom assistance, diapering, feeding and lifting students.
• Apply de-escalation strategies and manage classroom behavior.
• Perform restraints, if required or applicable, after attending district approved trainings.
• Participate in required Medicaid and Random Moment in Time Study provider trainings. Document personal care and/or delegated nursing services on a regular basis in EZEDMed system for Medicaid reimbursement purposes.
• Maintain confidential information as directed.
• Provide support outside of the center program as directed.
• Accept reassignment to other schools and programs as determined by student needs.
• Attend district-provided trainings and professional development as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: High school diploma/GED required.

EXPERIENCE: No experience required. Prefer one year of related work experience in K-12 school setting.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EQUIPMENT: Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with students who have a variety of disabilities.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS: CPI, CPR and First Aid certificates highly recommended. Training provided by the district.

SUPERVISION/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY: This job has no staff supervisory responsibilities.

CONTACTS: Daily contact with students and with persons in the same building regarding routine internal matters. Contact with parents and persons in other buildings or departments to provide or obtain information.

SAFETY TO SELF AND OTHER: Potential exposure to bruises, bites, cuts, spitting, kicking, hitting and scratches. Gloves are provided to prevent exposure to bodily fluids.

The physical requirements, work environment characteristics, and mental functions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, see and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision. The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee may occasionally be required to run a short distance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds with assistance. The employee must be able to push/pull 150 pounds for 30 feet.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, instruct, and use interpersonal skills. The employee is frequently required to compare, analyze, copy, coordinate, compute, synthesize, evaluate, compile, and negotiate.

JUDGMENT AND DECISION MAKING: Work is assigned by licensed staff, administration or self-directed. This position requires judgment to determine an appropriate course of action for a problem. Errors in decision making could adversely impact care or safety of students. Decision making requires collaboration with paraprofessionals, para-educators, classroom teacher, school nurse, service providers and school administrators. Work is guided by Health Action Plan/Medical Protocol, IEPs, district curriculum, Behavior Intervention Plans, district policies, school procedures and professional judgment. Confidentiality is paramount.

DIVERSITY OF DUTIES: Duties require cross training in student electronic augmentative/assistive technology and using computers with students.

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.