PARA SPED SPECIALIZED CLASSROOM (Elementary)

Lawrence Unified School District; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Unified School District in Lawrence, Kansas is seeking a Paraeducator for SPED Specialized Classroom. Positions may be filled full-time or part-time, with location TBD and starting immediately.

Responsibilities include supporting instruction, behavior intervention, and daily care for students with extensive learning and personal care needs under supervision of special education teachers. Flexibility and familiarity with IEP goals are preferred.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• Minimum 48 college credit hours (Title I paraeducator) is required.
• Ability to follow IEPs and assist with related services.

Responsibilities

• Adapt activities and materials to include all SPED students.
• Administer first aid and medications as needed.
• Support implementation of IEPs and behavior plans.
• Collect instructional and behavioral data as directed.
• Attend team meetings and coordinate with teachers and specialists.

Skills

First aid

Medication admin

IEP knowledge

Data collection

Behavior intervention

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

48 college credit hours

Job description

PARA SPED SPECIALIZED CLASSROOM (Elementary)

Lawrence Unified School District (KS) Multiple (Job pool - SpEd) - Lawrence, Kansas Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5485562

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Jan 05, 2026 6:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Paraeducator - SPED Specialized Classroom

Positions may be filled on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on candidate preference and organizational needs.

Location: TBD

USD 497

Details

FTE:

.5 - 1.0

HOURS/DAY:

4.0 - 8.0

DAYS PER YEAR:

184

Purpose Statement

The job of Paraeducator - SPED Specialized Classroom is done for the purpose/s of supporting the implementation of high-quality instruction, behavior intervention, and daily care for students with extensive learning, communication, behavioral, and personal care needs. This position works under the direction of special education teachers and related service providers to deliver individualized supports, promote student independence, ensure safety, and maintain a structured, responsive learning environment. The paraeducator contributes to inclusive and specialized settings by implementing IEP-aligned strategies, collecting data, supporting communication needs, and assisting with personal care and behavioral supports to ensure each student can access their educational program.

Essential Functions

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials, as assigned, for the purpose of providing an opportunity for all special education students to participate in classroom activities.
• Administers first aid and prescription medications to students for the purpose of providing emergency or necessary care in accordance with district, state and federal requirements.
• Administers standards of behavior and discipline for the purpose of ensuring the safety and well being of students.
• Assists in the implementation of extensive health care plans for students who are medically fragile and whose needs are significantly different from that of their same peers for the purpose of safety and well-being of the students.
• Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities.
• Assists students requiring daily care/medical procedures (e.g. toileting, diapering, feeding, tube feeding, administering medications, seizure protocol, lifting, positioning, etc.) for the purpose of providing appropriate care and/or developing student's daily living activities and behavioral skills.
• Collect and record instructional and behavioral data, as requested by the teacher for the purpose of gathering and/or conveying information and to comply with state and federal requirements.
• Confers with teachers/specialists and participates in team meetings for the purpose of assisting in evaluating special education student progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Implements academic instruction and behavioral plans, as assigned, for the purpose of assisting in meeting special education students needs, developing new skills and providing a consistent and safe environment.
• Intervenes calmly and purposefully in difficult and/or crisis situations, following Safe Crisis Management (SCM) and emergency safety intervention policies and procedures for the purpose of creating a safe environment for students and adults and complying with district, state and federal regulations.
• Maintains student files/records as appropriate for the purpose of documenting activities and/or providing reliable information.
• Monitors individual students and/or groups of students in a variety of school activities and/or environments (e.g. classroom, library, playground, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the safety and welfare of students.
• Participates in meetings, workshops, inservice presentations and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information, developing knowledge required to perform job functions and meet district objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the building.
• Provides ongoing medical support as delegated and supervised by nursing personnel for the purpose of ensuring the well-being of students and safe and supportive access to education.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; understand written procedures, write routine documents, and speak clearly; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: appropriate pronunciation and auditory discrimination for speech language assignments and age appropriate activities.

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: participate in and pass the Safe Crisis Management (SCM) de-escalation, crisis intervention and physical restraint course; adhering to safety practices and administering first aid.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities and/or meetings; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Some problem solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans. Problem solving with data may require independent interpretation; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: maintaining a work schedule requiring continuous physical activity; communicating with persons of varied backgrounds; maintaining confidentiality; working with frequent interruptions; adhering to district policies; and regular attendance except when taking approved leave.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under direct supervision using standardized procedures; providing information and/or advising others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, frequent climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 30% sitting, 35% walking, 35% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Experience: Job related experience is desired.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent.

Equivalency Paraeducators working in a Title I building (or district wide), REQUIRE a minimum of 48 college credit hours, OR the successful completion of a state approved Paraeducator Assessment.

Required Testing Certificates and Licenses

None Specified Valid Driver’s License & Evidence of

Insurability (as assigned)

Continuing Educ./Training Clearances

20 hours in-service annually Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Annual Basic and/or Advanced Safe Crisis Management Kansas Department of Children &

(SCM) Certification Families

Physical Exam/TB Screening

FLSA Status Approval Date Pay Grade

FLSA Status Approval Date Pay Grade

Non Exempt 07/01/25 9

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $20.20 to $20.20 Per Hour

Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required