Paraprofessional

IS Great Lakes/ROC; Orrville (OH); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Professional development

Continuing education

Employee referral bonus

Supportive leadership

Job summary

The Stepping Stones Group is seeking a dedicated Paraprofessional for the 2026-2027 school year to provide 1:1 support, personal care, mobility assistance, and academic support in K-12 settings.

This full-time, onsite role offers a consistent school day schedule, starting immediately through the 2026-27 year. W-2 employment with benefits and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• School-based experience preferred.
• Ability to lift, transfer and reposition a student safely.
• Ability to follow health and safety procedures and care plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 support throughout the school day.
• Assist with personal care, toileting, diapering and ADLs.
• Support mobility and transfers; push wheelchair as needed.
• Deliver general academic support and positive behavior strategies.
• Document data and follow IEP accommodations.

Skills

1:1 support

Personal care

Mobility assistance

Physical transfers

Paraprofessional experience

Communication

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Stepping Stones Group
Make a Difference Every Day

Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!

School-Based Paraprofessional | Full-Time | 1:1 Personal Care and Mobility Support | Special Education About the Opportunity

Are you passionate about supporting students and helping them take part fully in the school day? The Stepping Stones Group is seeking a dedicated Paraprofessional to join our team during the 2026-2027 school year. This is more than a job. It's a chance to provide the individualized support a student needs to stay safe, comfortable, and included, so she can take part in learning and school activities with her peers.

You’ll work closely with teachers and special education staff to provide 1:1 support, including personal care, mobility assistance, and physical transfers, along with academic and emotional support.

• Pay: $16-$22 per hour
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, full-time, 32.5 hours per week (6.5 hours per day plus a 30-minute unpaid break), within a school-day window, no evenings or overnights
• Setting: Onsite, K-12, 1:1 and classroom support in special education and general education settings
• Sites: 1 school site
• Start date: Immediate, through the end of the 2026-27 school year (early June)
• Employment type: W-2
• Location: Shared with candidates during the application process

What You’ll Do

• Provide1:1 support throughoutthe school day, andsupport the classroomas needed
• Assistwithpersonal care andactivities of daily living (ADLs),includingtoileting,diapering,feeding, andmobility assistance
• Perform safephysical transfers, positioning, andwheelchair support, followingcare plans andtraining
• Provideemotional support andgeneral academic support, includinghelp with assignments
• Providebehavioral support and intervention,and use positivereinforcement andproactive strategies
• Collect anddocumentdata asdirected by theteacher and schoolteam
• Supportimplementation ofIEP accommodations andcare plans asdirected
• Assiststudents duringtransitions, arrival,dismissal, lunch, andrecess as assigned
• Collaborate withteachers, specialeducation staff,therapists, and theschool nurse
• Maintain accuratedocumentation andstudent records, andprotect studentconfidentiality anddignity
• Helpmaintain a safe,structured, positive,and inclusivelearning environment

MinimumQualifications

• Highschool diploma orequivalent
• School-based experience
• Comfort with physical transfers and personal care procedures, including toileting and diapering
• Ability to lift, transfer, and reposition a student safely
• Ability to complete SSG clearance
• Ability to followhealth, safety, andstudent supportprocedures
• Strongcommunication andinterpersonal skills
• Ability to maintainprofessionalism,confidentiality, andpositive workingrelationships
• Reliable transportation
• Authorization to work in the United States; English proficiency

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Are Open To:

• Providing personal care and mobility support with patience, respect, and professionalism
• Working with students with physical disabilities, medical needs, and complex needs
• Working with medically fragile students
• Working in both special education and general education settings
• Working fully onsite and in person

PreferredQualifications

• Experience withpersonal care,lifting,transfers, andwheelchair use
• Experience as aparaprofessional,instructional aide,personal care assistant,CNA,home health aide,ordirect support professional (DSP)
• Experiencesupporting studentswith physicaldisabilities orcomplex medical needs
• CPR andFirst Aid certification
• CPI,Safety-Care, orother crisisprevention andde-escalation training
• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification, orwillingness to obtainit
• Associate'sdegree or courseworkin education,healthcare,psychology, childdevelopment, or arelated field

RelatedExperience We Value

Experience as aParaprofessional,Personal Care Assistant (PCA),Instructional Aide,Teacher Assistant,Educational Assistant,Classroom Aide,Special Education Assistant,Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA),Home Health Aide,Behavior Technician,Direct Support Professional (DSP), orStudent Support Assistant is highlyvalued.

WhyCandidates ChooseThis Role

• Make adirect, dailydifference in astudent's comfort,safety, andparticipation
• Gainhands-on experienceinspecial education andpersonal care
• Build experiencefor careers innursing,physical therapy,occupational therapy, teaching, specialeducation, andhealthcare
• Follow apredictable schoolschedule, withweekends, evenings,holidays, and schoolbreaks typically off
• Work alongsideexperienced teachers,therapists, andschool professionals

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay of $16-$22 per hour
• Health and wellness benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees
• 401(k) retirement plan for eligible employees
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Continuing education resources
• Employee referral bonus program
• Responsive and supportive leadership
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement
• Meaningful work that directly impacts students and communities

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain active throughout the school day, including frequent standing, walking, kneeling, bending, crouching, and repositioning
• Ability to lift, transfer, and reposition a student safely, [up to XX pounds, confirm]
• Ability to push a wheelchair and assist with mobility equipment
• Ability to assist with feeding, toileting, and diapering
• Ability to respond quickly to health and safety situations
• Additional requirements may vary by assignment

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

Successful Paraprofessionals are patient, dependable, compassionate, and physically prepared for the work. They treat every student with dignity, follow care plans closely, communicate clearly with the school team, and help students feel safe, comfortable, and included.

About The Stepping Stones Group

We believe every child deserves exceptional support for their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth. We partner with schools across the country to provide high-quality educational services that help students build confidence, develop new skills, and reach meaningful milestones, and we give our team members the support, training, and resources to thrive.