Para Professional - Special Education Building Support

Jeffco Public Schools; Colorado; On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Westgate Elementary School in Lakewood, part of Jeffco Public Schools, is seeking a Parapro - Spec Ed Build Supp (Hourly). The role supports students with disabilities under the direction of the special education teacher and building administrator, providing instructional and behavioral support and helping maintain an organized classroom.

Starting date is 10/05/2026. This 0.75 FTE position offers 6 hours per day over 181 days, with a pay range of $19.79 to $24.00 per hour.

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED required.
• Parapro training offered upon acceptance and must be completed at first available training opportunity.
• No experience required; one year preferred in a K-12 setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide instructional and behavioral support to students with disabilities as directed by the teacher.
• Assist with IEPs, materials, attendance, progress data, and behavior plans.
• Perform lunch/recess/bus duties and help with classroom materials.
• Maintain organized classroom and assist with clerical tasks as directed.
• Follow teacher guidance and participate in trainings.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Language basics

Math basics

Writing skills

Education

High School Diploma or 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

Westgate is a comprehensive neighborhood elementary school serving southeast Lakewood in the Bear Creek articulation area. Our mission is to "Lead, Love and Learn". We proudly serve a Title I population that represents a truly diverse mix of students across many races and socioeconomic ranges. We are an Expeditionary Learning School where students have opportunities to study engaging topics in a comprehensive manner. Our educators empower students to lead their own learning; this includes an emphasis on blended-learning, flexible seating, and physical activity. Our educators are highly collaborative, love students and like to have fun together. We are actively seeking educators who will do whatever it takes to meet the needs of all students. Those applying to our school should embrace a growth mindset, positive attitude, a team spirit and an explicit focus on innovative instructional practices.

HOURS AND DAYS WORKED

Desired Start Date: 10/05/2026

Parapro - Spec Ed Build Supp
Hourly Position
FLSA: Nonexempt
FTE: .75000 , Hours/Day: 6.000 , Days/Year: 181
Salary Plan, Grade, Step: JCP - Parapro 181 days , T51, 1
Pay Range: $19.79 - $24.00 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: Provide students with disabilities instructional support as directed by special education teacher or building administrator as needed. Work individually or with a small group of students with disabilities using a variety of techniques, and help students with their daily school work or life skills instruction. Assist with implementing lesson plans, keeping classroom organized and performing clerical work. The continuance of this position each school year will depend on funding and school needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• 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.
• Perform assigned lunch/recess/bus duties which include supervision in the cafeteria, playground and pre/post boarding of buses.
• Assist the teacher with preparation of classroom materials such as copying, laminating, filing and computer work.
• Manage classroom behavior effectively as directed by the teacher.
• Interact accordingly with parents and other staff as directed by the teacher.
• Assist students on field trips.
• Attend district-provided trainings and professional development as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

High school diploma/GED required. Jeffco paraprofessional training will be offered upon acceptance of a position and must be completed at first available training opportunity.

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. Requires basic language, math and writing skills. Knowledge of general office equipment preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS

CPR/First Aid highly recommended. Training provided by the district.

SUPERVISION/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY

This job has no staff supervisory responsibilities.

CONTACTS

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

SAFETY TO SELF AND OTHERS

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

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 must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

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 usually 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 ability to make decisions regarding student behavior, and to follow instructions of the teacher and school guidelines. Errors in decision making could lead to improper instructions for students or improper behavior management of students. Decision making requires collaboration with the special education teacher, regular classroom teacher, and school administrator. Work is guided by student's Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), daily lesson plans, district policies, school procedures and professional judgment. Confidentiality is paramount.

DIVERSITY OF DUTIES

Duties require cross training in student behavior management and office equipment.

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.