Paraprofessional, Special Education (Sped) - Moderate Needs (Expulsion Program)

Applitrack; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Applitrack is seeking a Paraprofessional, Special Education (Sped) - Moderate Needs to support students with moderate needs under licensed staff. Responsibilities include assisting with IEP goals, behavior support, data collection, personal care, and supervision in a structured learning environment.

The role serves in the Expulsion Program, collaborating with teachers, nurses, and specialists to implement plans, reinforce positive behaviors, monitor safety, and help students access instruction

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's degree or 48 semester hours or WorkKeys for Title I preferred.
• Experience with children in educational settings preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish when assigned to bilingual programs.

Responsibilities

• Support teacher-directed instruction in various settings.
• Assist with implementing IEP goals, accommodations, and modifications.
• Prepare instructional materials and visuals as directed.
• Reinforce academic skills through guided practice and modeling.
• Support assistive technology and adaptive materials after training.
• Collect data on IEP goals and behavior plans for progress monitoring.
• Maintain confidential records and assist with health-related tasks as needed.
• Supervise students during transitions and field trips, ensuring safety.
• Collaborate with staff in planning and professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Instruction following

Communication

Crisis management

Team collaboration

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree / 48 credit hours / WorkKeys

Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills

Job description

Paraprofessional, Special Education (Sped) - Moderate Needs (Expulsion Program) JobID: 12646

• Date Posted: 9/23/2026
• Date Available: 2026-27
• Closing Date: 9/30/2026

Job Title: Paraprofessional, Special Education (Sped) - Moderate Needs
Pay Program: Support Staff Non-Exempt
Pay Range: Range 8 $19.68 - $21.96
Work Year: Student Contact Days (School Calendar) (177 days / 8 Hours per day Monday - Thursday)
Reports to: Building Leader/Special Education Coordinator
Direct Reports: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Summary

Operating under the direction of the Building Leader and licensed special education staff, this position provides instructional, behavioral, and personal-care support to students with moderate needs. This position assists with the implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), supports academic and social-emotional skill development, reinforces positive behavior strategies, and helps maintain a structured and supportive learning environment. This position also assists with data collection, personal care needs, delegated health services (as appropriate), and safety procedures across school settings. This position may involve working with individual students or small groups and requires strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability to meet diverse student needs.

This Special Education Paraprofessional position is currently assigned to the District's Expulsion Program and will primarily support students with significant behavioral and social-emotional needs. The role works closely with licensed staff to support teacher-directed instruction, implement student IEPs and behavior plans, reinforce positive behavior and coping strategies, monitor student needs, and provide consistent structure and supervision in a highly supportive learning environment.

Job Tasks Descriptions

1. Instructional Support

• Support teacher-directed instruction in individual, small-group, and classroom settings.
• Assist in implementing IEP goals, accommodations, and modifications under the direction of licensed staff.
• Prepare, adapt, and organize instructional materials, schedules, visuals, and multi-sensory supports as directed.
• Reinforce academic skills through guided practice, prompting, cueing, and modeling.
• Support assistive technology, communication tools, and other adaptive materials after training.

2. Data Collection and Documentation

• Collect data on student IEP goals, general education goals, behavior plans, and interventions.
• Review collected data with special education staff to support progress monitoring.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records.

3. Behavior Monitoring and Support

• Support implementation of positive behavior intervention plans and classroom routines.
• Reinforce social-emotional learning strategies and teach replacement behaviors as directed.
• Assist with de-escalation, redirection, and problem-solving strategies using district-approved practices.
• Maintain a calm, supportive presence when students experience frustration or behavioral challenges.

4. Personal Care and Hygiene Support

• Assist students with personal care needs such as toileting/diapering, hygiene, feeding, dressing, or medication support under direction or delegation by a School Nurse (RN).
• Support mobility needs including walking, wheelchairs, lifts, positioning, or transferring as trained.
• Follow student health and safety plans developed by district nursing and therapy staff.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary environment and follow infection-control procedures.

5. Delegated Nursing Support

• Assist with delegated healthcare tasks as permitted by district policy and training.
• Provide support with medication administration, G-tube feeding, seizure response, catheterization, or other delegated tasks as assigned.
• Follow direction of licensed nursing staff and maintain accurate documentation.

6. Student Supervision and Safety

• Supervise students during transitions, recess, lunch, arrival/dismissal, hallways, and field trips.
• Ensure student safety and monitor for risk during all activities.
• Provide support on transportation (including riding buses) when assigned, with schedule adjustments as needed.

7. Team Collaboration and Development

• Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and problem-solving meetings.
• Attend building-level training, professional development, and assigned workshops.
• Collaborate with teachers, specialists, and related service providers to support student needs.

8. Other Duties

• Additional tasks, duties, and responsibilities may be assigned as needed/requested.

Education and Experience

Acceptable demonstration of acceptable education and/or experience will be at the sole discretion of the District.

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associate's degree, completion of at least 48 semester hours of college coursework, or a passing score on the WorkKeys assessment (or other approved assessment) required for Title I schools
• Experience working with children or students in educational or childcare settings preferred
• Prior school district experience preferred
• Experience supporting students with disabilities or diverse learning needs preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) language skills required when assigned to a bilingual program

Licenses, Registrations or Certifications

• Criminal background check required for hire
• Must be able to lift 35 pounds. Lift test required at time of hire
• Quality Behavioral Solutions certification (QBS) must be obtained within 60 days of hire
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification required within 60 days of hire
• Ability to obtain and maintain required district trainings (e.g., restraint training, first aid/CPR if assigned)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to follow teacher-directed instruction and implement accommodations and interventions.
• Skill in using prompting, cueing, modeling, and adaptive supports to reinforce student learning.
• Understanding of assistive or adaptive technology (training provided).
• Ability to remain calm when faced with challenging student behavior, including physically or verbally aggressive behavior
• Ability to support behavior intervention plans, routines, and SEL instruction.
• Ability to build supportive, respectful relationships with students and maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Ability to adapt to changing needs, manage frequent interruptions, and maintain focus in a busy school environment.
• Ability to supervise students safely in a variety of settings and respond appropriately in crisis or emergency situations.
• Ability to follow district safety procedures and report concerns promptly.
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible with collaborative critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to assist students with toileting, feeding, hygiene, mobility, or positioning following training.
• Ability to follow health plans and safety protocols with accuracy.
• Understanding of infection-control and sanitation procedures.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong customer service skills, with the ability to provide support in a professional and approachable manner
• Commitment to handling sensitive and confidential information with the highest ethical standards
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with staff and various stakeholders
• Ability to lead, communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds
• Ability to follow applicable federal, state, local laws and Board of Education policies, in addition to building and department procedures
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator
• Basic operating knowledge of computers, district-approved devices, and common educational technology tools.
• Ability to use email, word processing, spreadsheets, and other standard office software.
• Ability to operate typical office equipment such as copiers, printers, and telephones.