Paraeducator Independence Facilitator (PIF)

San Diego Unified School District; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 31,340 - 39,041; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

District-paid health and wellness benefits

Opportunity for substitute roles

Job summary

A major school district in California is seeking a Paraeducator Independence Facilitator to support students in academic and behavioral aspects. This full-time role involves working closely with teachers and providing necessary support across various classroom settings. Candidates should have a High School diploma or equivalent and relevant training in special education. The position offers competitive hourly pay and district health benefits for eligible employees, emphasizing a commitment to student success.

Qualifications

• Must pass the Classroom Assistant Proficiency Exam (CAPE).
• Maintain district certification in restraint reduction/avoidance.
• Maintain current CPR training.

Responsibilities

• Assist small groups of students to enhance learning.
• Maintain a productive classroom environment.
• Provide support in both special and general education settings.

Skills

Academic support

Behavior intervention

Medical support

Collaboration with teachers

Education

High School diploma/GED or Associate's degree

Completion of courses in Early Childhood Development

Job description

Paraeducator Independence Facilitator (PIF)

San Diego Unified School District, Various Locations - San Diego, California

Job Details

• Job ID: 5442849
• Application Deadline: Jun 19, 2026 11:59 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
• Re-Posted: Dec 20, 2025 8:00 AM (UTC)
• Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

The San Diego Unified School District is currently accepting applications for the position of Paraeducator-Independent Facilitator (PIF) and Paraeducator-Independent Facilitator (Early Childhood Special Education) (PIF ECSE). This opportunity is open to all interested candidates. Only one application can be submitted per posting period. This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility list for both monthly & substitute opportunities.

OVERVIEW:

San Diego Unified School District, the second largest district in California and one of the largest urban school districts in the United States, is looking for professionals who care deeply for students and are committed to the communities in which they serve.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Because each person is born with inherent worth and dignity, and because equitable access and opportunity are essential to a just, educated society, San Diego Unified employee commitments include being respectful of differences and diverse perspectives, and being accountable for one’s actions and the resulting impact.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Paraeducator Independence Facilitator (PIF) and the Paraeducator-Independent Facilitator (PIF) - Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) assist individuals or small groups of students to enhance learning including providing academic support, behavior intervention, and medical support to students in classroom settings. The PIF assists teachers with maintaining a productive classroom environment in special education and general education classrooms, lunchrooms, and play environments, including distance learning and field trips.

The ECSE program serves children aged 2 years 11 months to 5 years of age who are eligible for special education. For more information visit: Early Childhood Special Education Services (ECSE) Webpage.

Click on the job title below to view the position description(s):

• Paraeducator-Independence Facilitator
• Paraeducator-Independence Facilitator - Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

VACANCY / POSITION SPECIFICS:

• Working Location: The District covers a large portion of San Diego County. Refer to the District Area Map at this Link and make sure to identify any and all specific area(s) you are interested in working in. The area(s) you identify in your application will be used for any future vacancies filled using the eligibility list from this recruitment.
• Work Schedule: 10 months per year / 35 hours per week. You must be available to work in person Monday-Friday. The shift time is offered within the school bell schedule.
• Salary: This position is paid on the Paraeducator Salary Schedule, Grade 032. To view the Salary Schedule, click here.
• Positions greater than 20 hours per week qualify for District-paid health and wellness benefits for the employee and their eligible dependents.
• This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility list for current and future hiring purposes. Additionally, successful candidates will be offered the opportunity to substitute.

TRANSFER REQUESTS:

If you are currently working in this job title as a monthly (not hourly) District employee and wish to transfer DO NOT submit an online application through this posting. Instead, complete a Transfer Request Form.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

High School diploma/GED and a passing score on the San Diego Unified School District Classroom Assistant Proficiency Exam (CAPE) or an Associate’s degree (or higher) or 48 or more eligible units of coursework at a recognized college or university. Completion of post high school courses in Psychology, Early Childhood Development, Elementary Education, Special Education, or related field is desirable.

NOTE: Your related education and experience must be clearly represented in the work history and education section of your application.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Maintain district certification in restraint reduction/avoidance.
• Maintain district Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation training.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Application Process

To be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit the following items. Your application will be considered incomplete if you do not include all required information, including completion of the Work Experience and Education Sections, required attachments, and responses to all application questions.

• Online employment application
  • A completed online employment application must be submitted/received electronically by the closing date. This application MUST include all required attachments, current and previous employment history and education to evaluate your qualifications, and all other requirements identified in the recruitment and application questions. It is important to note that a resume does not substitute for completing the Work Experience and Education sections. Your application will be considered incomplete if you do not include all relevant details and attachments.
  • Paper applications are not accepted.
• Answer all application questions
  • The application questions should be answered thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the entire application package) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process.
• Contact information for three references must be listed in the 'Reference' section of the application.
  • References should be from a current or previous supervisor. Reference email requests may be sent at any time during the application screening process of this recruitment. These reference requests are not an indication of progression in the recruitment process or an interview opportunity. Written reference letters dated within the last year are also accepted and may be attached to your online application in the Reference Section.
• Attach required documents (PDF format recommended)
  • Attach Verification of Education. Education, training, or certifications will only be considered if acceptable documentation is attached. Accepted documents include:
    • Copy of a degree or official transcript
    • Copy of Licenses and/or Certifications
    • Note on Foreign Equivalency Certification. Individuals who have completed high school or college-level coursework at an institution in a country other than the United States must provide a Foreign Equivalency Certification to satisfy the education requirement. A Foreign Equivalency Certification can be obtained for a fee from a professional organization. For more information, including acceptable providers, please see Foreign Transcript Evaluation.
  • Additional Documents (Optional)
    • Cover Letter / Letter of Intent
    • A resume may be attached, but not substituted for completing the work history, education sections, or the additional application questions of the employment application. Providing incomplete responses or answering "See Resume" or "See Application" may automatically disqualify your application from further consideration.
    • Letters of Recommendation
    • Additional documents, if any, may be attached to the online employment application.

Examination Process

The examination process includes an application screening and evaluation based on the applicant’s education, work history, and responses to the application questions. Only applicants whose application packet demonstrates a combined education and experience which meets the minimum requirements for the position will be considered qualified and advance in the process. Some positions require applicants to pass additional components which may include one or more of the following: a multiple-choice, oral, written, or performance exam specific to the position. NOTE: Most exams are conducted remotely utilizing an online testing platform. For these exams, access to the internet and the use of a camera‑ready desktop/laptop with a microphone is required to participate in these processes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

If you have questions about your application, please email [e-mail].

The San Diego Unified School District communicates information regarding the hiring process via email. Please be aware that the District is not responsible for messages blocked by your email service. In an effort to allow our emails through your personal spam filter, you can try to add the [e-mail] and [e-mail] to your safe senders list.

San Diego Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying by reason of the following actual or perceived characteristics: age, ancestry, color, mental or physical disability, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, immigration status, marital or parental status, medical condition, nationality, national origin, actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

For more information about equity in employment, contact:

• Title II Coordinator & Uniform Complaint Compliance Officer Eric Rico: [phone], [e-mail]
• Title IX Coordinator Anna Ward: [phone], [e-mail]
• 504 Coordinator Eri Nall: [phone], [e-mail]

Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $22.75 to $28.34 Per Hour

Job Categories: Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA, Substitute > Substitute

Job Requirements

Contact Information

• Human Resources, Classified Recruitment
• Email: [e-mail]