SpEd Paraprofessional - Significant Support Needs (SSN)

Academy District 20

Colorado Springs (CO)

On-site

USD 41,000 - 43,000

Full time

9 days ago

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Job summary

Academy District 20 seeks a dedicated SpEd Paraprofessional - SSN to support students with significant needs at Discovery Canyon Campus High School in Colorado Springs. You will work under a supervising teacher, assisting with daily activities, instructional tasks, and behavioral support within SSN programs.

Responsibilities include supervising and assisting in therapy-related activities, coordinating with staff, and maintaining student records.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
Proficiency with standard office software and data entry.

Responsibilities

Assist licensed special education teachers and therapists in implementing IEP goals.
Support students with daily activities and classroom routines.
Monitor and document student progress and behavior per district guidelines.
Provide assistance during instructional activities and testing as needed.
Assist with medical tasks and basic care under supervision.

Skills

Adaptability to changing technologies

Verbal communication

Written communication

Office productivity software

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Office software

Job description

Location

Discovery Canyon Campus High School

Recruiting Start Date

09/17/2026

This posting will be open at least five (5) days after the recruiting start date.

Estimated Start Date

09/24/2026

SpEd Paraprofessional - SSN performs the day-to-day activities of teaching special education students while under the supervision of a teacher. The paraprofessional does not make diagnostic or long-term education decisions regarding special education students. This includes individuals who may or may not be licensed. Assignments may involve non-traditional learning environments such as building and off-campus work sites. Supports the principal and classroom teachers in implementing the Significant Support Needs (SSN) programs and encourage a positive and safe learning environment. Assists the licensed special education teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and other evaluative staff in the implementation of the goals of severely/profoundly disabled students.

Note: This position addresses current student needs at the specified school. If the current program/school should experience a change in student needs, the individual filling this position may be required to change locations to another school where needs are demonstrated. This could occur at any time during the school year.

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and other key duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by the incumbents in various locations. The district reserves the right to modify or change the duties or the essential functions of this job at any time.

Reports consistently for work as scheduled
Performs other duties as assigned
Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards
Obtains and maintains certifications necessary to support students with special needs
Performs tasks for student(s) such as meal preparation, feeding, and lunch clean-up which involves implementing communication, oral motor, sensory integration, and physical IEP goals
Carries out instructional programs and lessons in various learning environments as designated in the lesson plan
Under supervision of a teacher, works with small groups of students to reinforce material initially introduced by the teacher
Assists the student(s) with medical tasks such as: dispensing medication, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, suctioning, and may require exposure to blood, vomit, and infectious disease control
Cleans/disinfects regurgitation, blood, and urine
Works with confidential special education student information
Maneuvers and secures wheelchairs
Provides initial first aid/emergency care
Accompanies the student(s) assigned with physical tasks such as putting on and taking off of outerwear, moving from room to room, using the lavatory, and so on
Carries out programming using physical therapy support equipment
Sanitizes equipment/materials
Monitors behavior contracts and reward systems for students
Trained and able to perform behavioral management through Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate
Assists with non-standardized testing of students
Develops and implements games and teaching aids
Tutors students in various subject areas
Assists students in preparation, production, and maintenance of materials and equipment as assigned
Coordinates completion of assignments and/or job tasks with classroom teachers and/or employers
Works with students in one-to-one/group situations
Assists students in finding materials and books in library
Conducts story time for students
Monitors students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, and/or loading of buses
Supervises students in the use of various programs on the computer
Supervises swimming pool, weight room, and/or therapy pool
Assists students in recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks
Accompanies and assists the student(s) while in the classroom setting
Attends pre-job training, ongoing training, and meetings as required during the school year in order to remain up-to-date of job procedures
Assist students in community-based settings
Serves as a resource person to the student personnel evaluation team concerning an assigned student as needed
Works with teachers to integrate assisted technology into classrooms
Maintains student files updating information as appropriate
Maintains, orders, and organizes inventory of materials and equipment for effective operation of program
Collects data for assessment and monitoring purposes
Completes daily paperwork (i.e. attendance reports, detention slips, student referral slips, various student passes, physical therapy charts, etc.)
Performs miscellaneous clerical duties and assists other staff members
Laminates all material as needed
Prepares bulletin boards for parents and programs

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to adapt to changing technologies and to learn functionality of new equipment and systems
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems
Ability to establish and maintain accurate record keeping, document management, and filing systems
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds and professions including supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the general public
Ability to follow oral and written instructions
Ability to greet and interact with the public in a courteous and professional manner
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities
Ability to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position responsibilities
Ability to work independently without direct supervision
Commitment to the education of students as a primary responsibility
Communicates effectively with students and adults in a wide variety of settings
Computer proficiency including office productivity applications
Considerable knowledge of policies, procedures, and overall district functions
Demonstrated ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities
Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a team setting
Demonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness
Demonstrates effective organizational and time management skills
Detail-oriented
Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible
Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of office methods and procedures
Knowledge of Special Education, other educational programming, and associated legal requirements as related to the needs of the students assigned to the teacher
Promotes a positive climate, culture, and community
Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills
Student-centered and relationship-focused
Understanding of data privacy laws and their implications for the educational community
Willing to attend CO-TOP opportunities and other professional learning related to job
Willing to attend OT-PT training
Willing to receive on-the-job training specific to student needs (i.e., vision, hearing, motor, Braille, etc.)
Willing to be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices
Willingness to participate in ongoing training as required

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment may alternate among quiet, moderate, and loud.
The incumbent is frequently required to interact in person and through communication methods with the students, public, and/or other staff.
The incumbent is required to work scheduled school/work hours and/or days.
The incumbent may be required to work extended school/work hours and/or days as directed.
Work is generally performed in a classroom setting and on occasion may include some visits to homes, schools, offices, job sites, etc.
The incumbent may experience exposure to fumes or to high noise levels associated with a classroom environment.
The incumbent may experience the threat of direct or indirect personal harm or conflict situations.
The incumbent may experience the threat of direct or indirect student life-threatening situations (i.e., seizures, heart failure, etc.).

Physical Demands

Sits, stands, walks, stoops, kneels, and crouches/squats while performing duties
Has oral and auditory capacity enabling interaction interpersonally and/or through communication devices
Uses eyes, hands, and finger coordination enabling the use of equipment and writing utensils
Ability to meet the physical and self-help needs of students (toileting, feeding, dressing, and transfers)
Ability to physically restrain, following the guidelines of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, an acting out student
Ability to physically escort a student to various locations (i.e., time-out area)
Ability to perform visual and auditory monitoring of student while in time-out/various locations
Typical demands require staff to lift/push/pull or carry up to 50 lbs.; may have to lift students when assistance is required; able to safely lift 50 lbs. each in a two person lift, and may be higher for some assignments depending on position and student need; climb stairs, ladders, and/or stools; reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer keyboards; feel the shape, size and temperature of objects; and physically restrain students when necessary.

Cognitive Functions

The following are some of the cognitive functions commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. The staff member may be required to analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct, negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills.

Required Qualifications