Special Education Associate

West Burlington Independent School District; West Burlington (IA); On-site; USD 41,328,000 - 45,461,000; Full time

Job summary

West Burlington Independent School District is seeking a Para-educator for the 2026-2027 school year in the special education department. This full-time position starts at $14.78 per hour with consideration for experience.

Applicants should be dedicated to working with students and flexible in duties while collaborating with staff. Responsibilities include assisting certified staff, supporting students with reading, language arts and math, and helping with field trips and behavioral management

Qualifications

• Require high school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with special needs is desirable but not required.
• Desire to work with students and collaborate with staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist certified staff to meet instructional goals in the classroom.
• Support students individually or in small groups to reinforce learning.
• Assist with record-keeping and documentation of student progress.
• Support safety, behavior management and orderly classroom operations.
• Assist with non-instructional duties such as lunch, bus, playground supervision.

Skills

IEP support

Reading assistance

Communication

Confidentiality

Computers

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

• Position Type: Support Staff/ Associate/Aide
• Date Posted: 8/3/2026
• Location: West Burlington Elementary

Description: The West Burlington Independent School District has an opening for a Para-educator in the special education department for the 2026-2027 school year. Full-time position. Pay starts at $14.78/hr. with considerations for individuals with experience. Persons applying must have the desire to work with students and be flexible in duties assigned while collaborating with staff members. Previous experience is preferred, but not required.

Required Information

• Resume
• Completed Application
• 3 Reference Letters

Position Purpose

• Under the direct supervision of a certified staff member, to assist certified professional staff with students in the classroom to meet instructional goals and objectives, and to free certified professional employees from non-professional duties such as proctoring study halls to enable them to make a contribution to other aspects of the educational program, such as curriculum development.
• Assists and guides students to reinforce reading, language arts, mathematics, computer instruction, and other skills.
• Works with students individually and in small groups to reinforce basic learning and implement assigned programs.
• Assists professional staff in the administration and correction of classroom exercises, tests and assessments.
• Assists in classroom preparations and strategies for reinforcing instructional materials and skills according to individual student needs.
• Assists with record-keeping procedures to document student learning and performance.
• Assists with classroom behavioral management to minimize disruptions, ensure a safe and orderly classroom, and ensure students are on task.
• Assists students in non-instructional areas, such as supervising the student lunch programs, bus duty, playground duty, corridor, study hall, and other related non-instructional areas.
• Accompanies students on field trips for the purpose of assisting with supervision.
• Constructs, copies and distributes and uses educational materials as needed.
• Assists teacher with parent contact as requested to foster effective and participatory parent involvement in student education.
• Assists students with special needs in all aspects of classroom instruction to maximize inclusion, learning, achievement if IEP objectives, etc.
• Participates in IEP process and serves as a resource for the student personnel evaluation team as needed.
• Assist students with physical or mental disabilities with activities of daily living for the purpose of maximizing their ability to participate in school or learning activities.
• Follows all applicable safety rules, procedures and regulations governing the proper manner of assistance for all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs.

Additional Duties

• Assist guidance, pupil services staff or building administration, as needed.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment

• Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.

Travel Requirements

• Travel between schools and/or central offices, may be required for certain positions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed to assist students.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., "Word, Excel").
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information regarding students, employees and others.
• Ability to establish a supportive and compassionate relationship with students with special needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to report work orally or in writing to supervisor as required.
• Effective writing and verbal communication skills.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Works in standard office and school building environments.
• Ability to work outdoors during outdoor student activities.

Qualifications Profile

• Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Prior experience working with special needs children desirable, but not required.

FLSA Status: Non-exempt