Severe Needs Para Educator - High Plains Elementary School

Cherry Creek Schools; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Creek Schools is seeking a Severe Needs Para Educator to assist students with complex educational needs under licensed staff. You will support curriculum delivery, track progress, and help ensure a safe, clean learning environment both in-person and remotely.

The role emphasizes implementing IEP accommodations, behavior strategies, and collaboration with the IEP team to foster student growth in academic, social, and functional skills.

Qualifications

• Criminal background check and fingerprinting required
• High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma
• No professional work experience required
• Two years of higher education or associate degree or equivalent demonstrated ability to assist in instruction

Responsibilities

• Assist students with classroom activities and adapt curriculum to individual needs (Daily, 35%).
• Maintain records of student progress and behavior with licensed staff (Daily, 30%).
• Prepare materials and assist with tests, attendance, and events (Daily, 5%).
• Support online/remote learning with technology access and coursework completion (Daily, 50%).

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Curriculum modification

Behavior management

Confidentiality

One-on-one teaching

Small group teaching

Teamwork

Education

High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma

Two years college

Associate degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title

Severe Needs Para Educator

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Classification Group: Paraeducators Supervising Position

Supervisor: School Principal or designee

Pay Plan: Educational Support Personnel Pay Range: Range 07

Last Updated: 09/2026

JOB SUMMARY

Assist students with severe special education needs under the direction of licensed special education staff. Support individuals and small groups with curriculum, skill development, behavior strategies, and assignment completion. Prepare instructional materials, monitor student progress, and maintain achievement records. Provide technical physical care and help ensure a clean, safe, and hygienic environment. In remote learning settings, assist students with technology access, curriculum reinforcement, executive functioning strategies, skill generalization, and coursework completion. Assignments may include Autism, BD, Early Childhood Education, Homebound (FAPE), ILC, SED, and Transition Programming.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The subsequent duties outline the fundamental operations of the position and exemplify the nature of the tasks carried out. They do not encompass a comprehensive inventory of the obligations and responsibilities fulfilled in this role. The approximation of frequencies and time allocation percentages are flexible and subject to the requirements of the organization.

• 1. Assist students with classroom activities, including adapting the curriculum to individual student needs. Assist with curriculum delivery to both individuals and small groups to ensure generalization of skills. (Daily, 35%)
• 2. Implement student accommodations, supports, modifications, procedures, and programming outlined in the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP). Maintain records of student progress and behavior in conjunction with licensed staff, which may include special reports, providing feedback, and reporting observations to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. (Daily, 30%)
• 3. Assist special education licensed staff in preparing materials, administering tests, attendance, etc. Assist with paperwork and documentation as needed. Assist with other classroom events, such as fire drills, as necessary. (Daily, 5%)
• 4. Perform other duties as assigned or requested. (Daily, 5%)
• TOTAL 75%

INTEGRATED LEARNING CENTER (ILC) AND HOMEBOUND (Free Appropriate Public Education/FAPE) PROGRAM ASSIGNMENT

• 1. Monitor students and reinforce appropriate behavior for individual student needs. Assist in verbal de-escalation and non-violent crisis interventions to reduce the risk of self-harm and harm to others. Assist student development of social interactions or communication between students with special needs and general education peers. (Daily, 15%)
• 2. Provide technical physical care for students with special needs as assigned, which may include toileting, grooming, cleaning ventilation devices, feeding, care of gastrostomy tube (G-tube), positioning, and improving range of motion (Autism Classroom or ILC). Following training and as delegated by a registered school nurse, accurately follow student medication delivery orders. (Daily, 10%)
• TOTAL 25%

SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISABILITY (SED) ASSIGNMENT

• 1. Monitor students and reinforce appropriate behavior for individual student needs. Assist in verbal de-escalation and non-violent crisis interventions to reduce the risk of self-harm and harm to others. Assist student development of social interactions or communication between students with special needs and general education peers. (Daily, 25%)
• TOTAL 25%

ONLINE/REMOTE ENVIRONMENT

• 1. Assist small groups of students or individuals with online classroom activities, during synchronous or asynchronous learning, including curriculum accommodations or modifications. Assist with curriculum delivery or practice to ensure generalization of skills. If working in DHH Program, develop student language, vocabulary, reading, and writing using sign language for students who need a signing para-educator. (Daily, 50%)
• 2. Prepare assignments for students to complete at home and support students in completing assigned work. (Daily, 35%)
• 3. Maintain records of student progress and behavior in conjunction with the licensed staff, which may include special reports, providing feedback, and reporting observations to the Individualized Education Program team. (Daily, 5%)
• 4. Support students in troubleshooting technology issues. (Daily, 5%)
• 5. Perform other duties as assigned or requested. (Daily, 5%)
• TOTAL 100%

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Criminal background check and fingerprinting required

High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma

No professional work experience required

Title I assignments must meet one of the following requirements:

• Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
• Obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or
• Met a rigorous standard of quality, and can demonstrate through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, as appropriate: Reading/language arts, writing, and mathematics; or Reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness

Mandatory biennial Crisis Prevention Intervention training provided by the District for staff working in an Autism, Behaviorally Disordered, or ILC assignment

Medication administration training provided by the District as needed

Basic knowledge of typical office equipment such as telephones, copiers, fax machines, email, etc.

Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office

Intermediate verbal and written communication skills

Intermediate interpersonal relations skills

Intermediate organizational skills

Ability to work alone and with others

Ability to appropriately modify curriculum

Ability to implement behavior modification techniques

Ability to diffuse and manage volatile and stressful situations

Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job

Ability to work one-on-one and in small groups with students

If working in the DHH Program, ability to understand the impacts of hearing loss on learning and social interaction

If working in the Homebound program, ability to set appropriate boundaries and build appropriate relationships while working in the home setting with families and other student healthcare providers

If working in the Homebound program, the ability to have appropriate communication and boundaries with families while working in their homes with students

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands, mental functions, cognitive capacities, and work environment factors required to perform a position’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work location is subject to change to meet the requirements of the organization. Medium work strength level (lifting or carrying 50 pounds) Works both indoors and outdoors Typically a moderate noise level Prolonged standing and walking Frequent bending, reaching, and climbing Frequent lifting, pulling, and/or pushing Squatting Overhead work Eye/hand coordination (e.g., typing, ten key) Visual concentration Exposure to outdoor weather conditions

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other qualifications relevant to the position that are strongly preferred but not mandatory for a candidate to be considered.
• Experience working in the public sector, specifically public education.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement.
• Associate’s degree.
• Work with special needs children in a paid program or licensed special education teaching experience.
• Experience working with students with autism, behavior challenges, medically fragile conditions, hearing or vision loss, or intellectual disabilities.
• CPR and First Aid certification.