Personal Care Assistant (PCA)

The Stepping Stones Group; Emmaus (PA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

The Stepping Stones Group is seeking dedicated Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) to join our team for the 2026-2027 school year. This full-time, W-2 role supports students in K-12 settings with 1:1 or small group needs, following IEPs and safety procedures.

Onsite assignments across 1-3 sites, 32.5 hours per week, 7:15 AM–3:30 PM, with start dates tentatively in late fall 2026. We offer competitive pay, health benefits, retirement plans, and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience with children with developmental disabilities or autism is preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow health, safety, and student support procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 or 2:1 student support throughout the school day.
• Assist with personal care and activities of daily living (ADLs) including feeding, toileting, diapering, and mobility.
• Provide behavioral support and positive reinforcement using safety procedures.
• Support emotional and academic needs of students and help with assignments.
• Maintain accurate documentation and protect student confidentiality.

Skills

1:1 support

2:1 support

teamwork

data collection

communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Stepping Stones Group
Make a Difference Every Day

Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!

School-Based Personal Care Assistant (PCA) | Full-Time | K-12 Special Education | Anticipated Openings

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 dedicated Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) to join our team for the 2026-2027 school year. This is more than a job. It's a chance to provide the individualized support students need to stay safe, build confidence, and join in school activities.

We are building a pool of qualified candidates for anticipated full-time openings. Start dates are tentative and depend on district needs, so we'll confirm timing with you before any assignment begins.

You’ll work closely with teachers, special education staff, and school teams to support students who need personal care, behavioral, academic, or emotional support. Assignments may be 1:1, 2:1, or classroom support.

• Pay: $20-$21 perhour
• Schedule:Monday-Friday,full-time, 32.5hours per week (6.5hours per day plus a30-minute unpaidbreak), within a 7:15AM-3:30 PM window,no evenings or overnights
• Setting:Onsite,K-12,1:1,2:1, andclassroom support ingeneral education andspecial education settings
• Sites:Possible support at1-3 school sites
• Start date: Tentative, expected in late fall 2026, through the end of the 2026-27 school year (early June)
• Employment type: W-2
• Location: Shared with candidates during the application process

WhatYou'll Do

• Provide1:1 or2:1 student support throughout theschool day, andsupport the classroomas needed
• Assistwithpersonal care andactivities of daily living (ADLs),includingfeeding,toileting,diapering, andmobility assistance
• Providebehavioral support and interventionusing positivereinforcement andsafety procedures
• Provide emotionalsupport andgeneral academic support, includinghelp with assignments
• Collect anddocumentdata asdirected by theteacher and schoolteam
• Supportstudent participationin classroominstruction andschool activities
• Assist studentsduring arrival,dismissal,transitions, lunch,and recess asassigned
• FollowIEP accommodations, careplans, and behaviorplans as directed
• Monitor studentsafety and well-beingthroughout the schoolday
• Work as part ofa team, and workindependently whenneeded
• Collaboratewith teachers,therapists, andspecial educationstaff
• Maintainaccuratedocumentation, andprotect studentconfidentiality anddignity

MinimumQualifications

• Highschool diploma orequivalent
• At least 1 year of experience working with children with developmental disabilities or autism
• Basicdata collection skills
• Demonstratedability to work in ateam setting andto work independentlyas needed
• Physicalability to keep upwith younger children
• Comfort with andability to providepersonal care,includingtoileting anddiapering
• Reliabletransportation
• Flexibility aboutstart date, sincetiming is tentative
• Ability to followhealth, safety, andstudent supportprocedures
• Strongcommunication andinterpersonal skills
• Authorization towork in the UnitedStates; Englishproficiency

You'll Thrive inThis Role If You AreOpen To:

• Workingwith students withautism spectrum disorder (ASD),emotional disturbance (ED),other health impairments (OHI), andsignificantbehavioral needs
• Working withmedically fragile studentsProvidingpersonal care with patience,respect, andprofessionalism
• Working withstudents of all agesand all caseloads
• Working in bothgeneral education andspecial education settings
• Adjustingyour caseload orschool site (1-3sites) based ondistrict needs
• Working fullyonsite and in person

PreferredQualifications

• School-basedexperience
• Experience as aparaprofessional,instructional aide,behavior technician,CNA,home health aide,ordirect support professional (DSP)
• Experience withpersonal care,ADL support, lifting,and transfers
• Experiencesupporting studentswith intellectualdisabilities orcomplex medical needs
• CPR andFirst Aid certification
• CPI,Safety-Care, orother crisisprevention andde-escalation training
• Associate's degreeor coursework ineducation,healthcare,psychology, humanservices, childdevelopment, or arelated field

RelatedExperience We Value

Experience as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA),Personal Care Aide,Paraprofessional,Instructional Aide,Educational Assistant,School Aide,Student Support Assistant,Special Education Assistant,Behavior Technician,Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA),Home Health Aide,Caregiver, orDirect Support Professional (DSP) ishighly valued.

Why CandidatesChoose This Role

• Make a direct,daily difference instudents' comfort,safety, andparticipation
• Gainhands-on experienceinautism andspecial education support
• Buildexperience forcareers in education,psychology,healthcare, socialwork, ABA, speechtherapy, andoccupational therapy
• Follow apredictable schoolschedule, withweekends, evenings,and holidaystypically off
• Workalongside teachers,therapists, andschool professionals

Why You'll Love Working With Us

• Competitive pay of $20-$21 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

PhysicalRequirements

• Ability to remainactive throughout theschool day and keepup with youngerchildren, includingfrequent standing,walking, bending,kneeling, crouching,and repositioning
• Ability to lift,transfer, reposition,or physically assiststudents safely
• Ability to assistwith feeding,toileting, anddiapering
• Abilityto respond quickly tohealth, safety, andbehavioral situations
• Additionalrequirements may varyby assignment

What MakesSomeone Successful inThis Role?

SuccessfulPersonal Care Assistants arecompassionate,dependable, patient,and attentive tostudent needs. Theybuild trustingrelationships withstudents and schoolteams, providerespectful andconsistent personalcare, keep studentssafe, promoteindependence andinclusion, and helpstudents take part inacademic, social, andschool activitiesthroughout the day.

About The Stepping Stones Group

We believe every child deserves exceptional support for their academic, behavioral, physical, and social-emotional growth. We partner with schools across the country to provide high-quality services that help students access educational opportunities and achieve meaningful success, and we give our team members the support, training, and resources to thrive.