Para Educator - Independence Support 9th Grade All Subjects

Jeffco Public Schools; Colorado; On-site; USD 39,065,000 - 48,708,000; Full time

Job summary

Jeffco Public Schools seeks a Para Educator to support a Lakewood High School student with intensive needs at Independence Support. The role is a part-time, annual position with .875 FTE and 7 hours per day across 178 days per year, starting 09/21/2026.

Responsibilities include instructional support, IEP implementation, medication administration, and supervision during meals and activities, with district training provided and a starting pay range of $22.74–$28.38 per hour.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities.
• CPR/First Aid certifications recommended.
• High school diploma or GED required.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional and behavioral support for an individual student.
• Assist in implementing IEPs and preparing materials.
• Administer medications per district policy and document accordingly.
• Support daily routines including lunch, recess, and transitions.
• Attend trainings and contribute to student safety and care.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

CPR

First Aid

CPI

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Para Educator - Independence Support 9th Grade All Subjects

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

Lakewood High School proudly serves a unique and diverse population of approximately 2000 students. Often times a "misunderstood" school, over half of Lakewood's students choice in, a third of which participate in the International Baccalaureate program, and the other half come from our community rich neighborhoods. This is arguably why Lakewood is so attractive to so many. Because of this, our teaching staff, most of whom have master's degrees, are well versed in fulfilling the array of learning needs for students who anticipate joining the workforce after high school to those who plan on attending 4-year academic institutions, as well as to those who are anywhere in between the two.

In addition, Lakewood recognizes the needs of various sub populations, including those with special learning needs and English language learners. One of Lakewood's truisms is that its faculty is committed to teaching the whole child, not just meeting students' academic needs. Thus, the faculty has prioritized dedicating resources to these students by incorporating seven counseling personnel, one dedicated solely to transitioning freshmen to high school, as well as two additional mental health providers.

Student involvement in addition to their academic workload allows students to thrive which is why Lakewood High School also encourages students to participate in the large variety of athletic teams, clubs and activities it offers. Nearly half of our students participate in Varsity Level sports, and both our Theater and Vocal/Instrumental programs consistently perform and collect an array of prestigious awards with about 600 students combined who participate. With nearly 70 clubs and activities from which students can choose from, it is hard to find an LHS student who isn?t involved in some way.

"We Are Family" has been Lakewood's motto for many years, and our diverse population of students would agree. It is not uncommon to hear a collective ROAR after the daily announcement iterates, "It's a great day to be a Lakewood Tiger!" Consider joining our amazing Tiger family by joining our faculty or staff.

ABOUT THE JOB

This job is located at Lakewood High School in Lakewood Colorado.

HOURS AND DAYS WORKED

Desired Start Date: 09/21/2026

Para Educ - Independence Supp

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 $57.50 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 for the specific intensive needs of primarily one student.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Provide instructional and behavioral support in all academic and related areas as directed by the teacher primarily for an individual student.

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 for any student as directed.

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 to provide service 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. Potential exposure to bruises, bites, cuts, spitting, kicking, hitting and scratches. Gloves are provided to prevent exposure to bodily fluids

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.