Substitute Associate

Young World Physical Education; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 12,546 - 20,848; Full time

Job summary

Des Moines Public School District is seeking a Substitute Associate to assist teachers, supervise students, and support learning across classrooms in Des Moines, Iowa. Under the guidance of the building administrator and classroom teacher, you will implement instructional activities, manage behavior, prepare materials, and help students with disabilities in a range of settings.

Applicants should have a High School Diploma or equivalent, be able to relate to students with disabilities, pass

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or HiSET.
• Ability to relate to students with disabilities.
• Ability to carry out duties cooperatively with others.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Visual and auditory acuity for supervisory functions.
• Skills in oral and written communications.
• Skills in organization and human relations.
• Pass criminal background check and child/adult abuse registry checks.

Responsibilities

• Assist classroom teacher with educational activities.
• Take directions from teachers, building administrators, and support staff.
• Follow behavior management plans for individual students.
• Maintain students’ daily behavior logs.
• Assist in implementing Individual Education Plans.
• Prepare and organize instructional materials and equipment.
• Assist with meals, supervision, and safe classroom environment.
• Prepare attendance cards and reports.
• Lift, carry and position students with disabilities as needed.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Relate to students with disabilities

Cooperative teamwork

Organizational skills

Human relations

Education

High School Diploma, GED, or HiSET

48 hours of post-secondary education or Paraeducator Certification

Job description

Substitute Associate

Des Moines Public School District – Substitute – DES MOINES, Iowa.

Job Details

Job ID: 5829345

Application Deadline: Apr 23, 2027 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time)

Re-Posted: Jul 20, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

TITLE: SUBS Substitute Associate
DEPARTMENT: Office of Talent and Personnel
REPORTS TO: Building Administrator
RECEIVES GUIDANCE FROM: Classroom Teacher

POSITION INVENTORY: Temporary Employee
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

BASIC FUNCTION: Assist teachers in the instruction, supervision and care of students and children in a variety of instructional settings, including special education, work/community settings, Head Start, and early learning childcare settings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist classroom teacher with educational activities.
• Take directions from teachers, building administrators, and Student and Family Services support staff.
• Follow behavior management plans for individual students.
• Maintain students’ daily behavior logs.
• Assist in the implementation and monitoring of students’ Individual Education Plans.
• Prepare and organize instructional materials and equipment.
• Perform personal care duties for students with disabilities as needed.
• Prepare and supervise students in bus loading/unloading.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and orderly instructional environment.
• Assist in implementing consistent behavior management strategies and procedures.
• Supervise lunchroom, playground, halls, classroom and other assigned areas.
• Assist in meal preparation and clean up in Head Start settings.
• Assist in cleaning and sanitizing the classroom environment.
• Assist with instruction in the community setting, as required.
• Clarify and reinforce teacher directions.
• Assist students with assignments.
• Drill to reinforce skills taught by the teacher.
• Listen to students read/read to students.
• Chart/graph student performance.
• Prepare bulletin boards, games, and flash cards.
• Organize daily student work folders.
• Prepare attendance cards and reports.
• Feed, toilet and diaper students as needed.
• Under teacher direction, implement specific strategies to maintain/increase appropriate behavior and de‑escalate inappropriate behavior.
• Supervise students in community/work settings.
• Lift, carry and correctly position students with physical disabilities.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (for every DMPS position)

• Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public, students, and other employees.
• Assist with other duties as may be assigned.

HIRING SPECIFICATIONS

Required:

• High School Diploma, GED, or HiSET.
• Ability to relate to students with disabilities.
• Ability to carry out duties cooperatively with others.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Visual and auditory acuity for supervisory functions.
• Skills in oral and written communications.
• Skills in organization and human relations.

Desired:

• Successful work or volunteer experience with disabled population.
• Supervisory experience with children.
• Ability to relate to students with disabilities.
• 48 hours of post‑secondary education or Paraeducator Certification.

All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check, and a child and adult abuse registry check. Certain positions may require fingerprinting, a drug and alcohol test, a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

Standing: Constant 67%+

Walking: Constant 67%+

Sitting: Occasional 1% – 32%

Bending/Stooping: Frequent 33% – 66%

Reaching/Pushing/Pulling: Frequent 33% – 66%

Climbing/Stairs: Occasional 1% – 32%

Driving: Occasional 1% – 32%

Lifting (10 lbs.): Frequent 33% – 66%

Carrying (20 feet): Occasional 1% – 32%

Manual Dexterity Tasks: (not specified – likely Occasional)

Telephone: Occasional 1% – 32%

Computer: Occasional 1% – 32%

Other: Occasional 1% – 32%

WORKING CONDITIONS

Inside: Constant 67%+

Outside: Frequent 33% – 66%

Extremes of Temperature/Humidity: Occasional 1% – 32%

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform any other job‑related instructions as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Approved By: Maureen Norris

Date: 3/18/2022

Position Type: Full‑Time

Salary: $113 Per Day

Job Categories: Substitute > Substitute: Paraprofessional

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Contact Information

• Brenda Boten, Human Resources Coordinator
• HUMAN RESOURCES
• Des Moines, Iowa 50309
• Email: [e-mail]