Paraprofessional - SPED (Payson Elementary - 2025/2026)

Payson Unified District; Payson (AZ); On-site; USD 18,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Payson Unified District is seeking a Paraprofessional - SPED to support special needs students under a Teacher or Administrator's direction. The role includes assistive instruction, supervision, field trips, and clerical tasks in a collaborative school setting.

Qualifications emphasize HIPAA/FERPA confidentiality, positive student relations, English communication, and CPR/First Aid. Arizona IVP fingerprint clearance may be required within 45 days of employment.

Qualifications

• Confidentiality requirements under HIPAA and FERPA.
• Interpersonal skills including tact, courtesy, diplomacy.
• Written and spoken English proficiency.
• Knowledge of instructional methods for special education.
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications.

Responsibilities

• Complies with HIPAA and FERPA confidentiality requirements.
• Develops positive relations with students, parents, staff and the public.
• Assists with instruction in a classroom for/with special education students.
• Supervises students when assigned.
• Assists in school activities and field trips.
• Performs clerical duties and supports teachers and staff.
• May assist with daily personal hygiene such as toileting and diapering.
• May assist in daily feeding of students.
• Performs playground, cafeteria, and bus duty as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Confidentiality HIPAA/FERPA

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal English

Instructional methods familiarity

CPR/First Aid

Education

High School Diploma/GED and Associate’s Degree or higher

60 college credits at the 100 level or above

Passing AZ Paraprofessional Exam

Tools

IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

Job description

TITLE: PARAPROFESSIONAL - SPED

DEPARTMENT: School

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Federal Highly Qualified, Title I related requirements (must meet one of the following):
   1. High School Diploma/GED and Associate’s Degree or higher, OR
   2. Sixty (60) college credits at the 100 level or above, OR
   3. Passing score on AZ Paraprofessional Exam.
2. Current CPR, AED and First Aid certifications.
3. Possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card within forty-five (45) days of employment.

JOB GOALS:

The SPED Paraprofessional, under the direction of a PUSD Teacher or Administrator, works with special needs students in a supportive role in furthering student’s education, in a variety of settings.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following tasks are essential for this position. This list is not inclusive of all responsibilities. Individuals may not perform all of these tasks, or may perform similar related tasks not listed.

1. Complies with all HIPAA and FERPA related confidentiality requirements.
2. Develops positive relations with students, parents, school staff and the public.
3. Assists with instruction in a classroom for/with special education students.
4. Supervises students when assigned.
5. Assists in school activities.
6. Assists in school field trips.
7. Performs clerical duties.
8. Works collaboratively with teachers and staff
9. May assist in daily necessary personal hygiene such as toileting and diapering of students.
10. May assist in daily feeding of students.
11. Performs playground, cafeteria, and bus duty as assigned.
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

Knowledge of:

1. District policies, operations and organization.
2. Interpersonal skills including tact, courtesy, and diplomacy.
3. Communication (telephone, email, etc.) etiquette.
4. Written and oral English.
5. Instructional methods.
6. Child behavior of students with emotional and behavioral handicaps.
7. Current CPR certification/First Aid Certification.

Skill and Ability to:

1. Work with special education students with severe emotional and behavioral handicaps.
2. Use the English language correctly.
3. Instruct children.
4. Maintain discipline.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Perform lifting, pushing and/or pulling which does not exceed 50 pounds and is an infrequent aspect of the job.
2. Requires vision (which may be corrected) to read small print.
3. Requires the mobility to stand, stoop, reach and bend.
4. Require mobility of arms to reach and dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects.
5. Requires the ability to stand for long periods.
6. Requires the ability to walk long distances.
7. Is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.

REPORTS TO: Teacher or Principal

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually by the Teacher or Principal in accordance with the provisions of Governing Board policy in evaluation of classified personnel.

TERMS OF

EMPLOYMENT: Varies

SALARY: Salary for the position is set according to the Classified Salary Schedule determined by the Governing Board.

Column C

FLSA STATUS: Non Exempt