Special Education Paraeducator - Significant Support Needs

Special Education Paraeducator - Significant Support Needs JobID: 2332 Position Type: Support Staff/Paraeducator-SPED Significant NeedsDate Posted: 9/11/2026Location: Ayres Elementary SchoolDate Available: Immediately Additional Information: Show/HideRe-1 Valley School District is seeking a dedicated and student-centered Paraeducator to support learners in a Kindergarten - 5th grade Significant Support Needs Classroom. This role focuses on assisting students with behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental needs in a structured, nurturing environment. The SSN Paraeducator works closely with teachers, special education staff, and related service providers to ensure student success and safety.REPORTS TO: Building Principal, Assistant Principal, Classroom Teachers and Director of Special Services SALARY RANGE & CATEGORY: $17.30/hour (depending on experience) on Classified Hourly Salary Schedule FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt WORK CALENDAR: 165 days FTE: 1.0 Full-time with benefits; 4-day school week (Tuesday - Friday) POSITION SUMMARYThe Significant Support Needs (SSN) Paraeducator provides individualized instructional, behavioral, physical, and personal-care support to students with significant support needs. Assisting assigned teachers with instructional and physical student support is a primary responsibility of this position.Working under the direction and supervision of certified/licensed staff, the SSN Paraeducator assists with instructional activities, positive behavior supports, life-skills development, and personal-care needs. This position supports students in accessing their educational environment, participating in classroom and school activities, developing independence, and making progress toward individual IEP goals and objectives.The SSN Paraeducator works collaboratively with teachers, special education staff, related service providers, and other school personnel to provide a safe, supportive, inclusive, and appropriate learning environment based on each student's individual needs.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Student SupportProvide one-on-one and small-group support based on individual student needs.Assist assigned teachers with instructional, behavioral, and physical student support.Support students in developing self-regulation, coping, social-emotional, communication, and life skills.Reinforce positive behaviors, routines, expectations, and appropriate social interactions.Support students in successfully participating and integrating into general education classrooms, school activities, and other inclusive settings.Supervise and facilitate sensory, movement, and regulation breaks between academic activities to support student engagement and readiness to learn.Maintain student dignity, independence, and safety while providing individualized support.Behavior ImplementationUse proactive, preventative, and responsive behavior strategies appropriate to individual student needs.Assist students with regulation and de-escalation strategies.Assist in crisis prevention and intervention when necessary and in accordance with District procedures and training.Maintain consistency with classroom, building, and District behavior protocols.Communicate behavioral observations, concerns, and progress to supervising staff.Instructional SupportDeliver and support instructional activities according to individual student IEPs and as assigned and developed by certified/licensed staff.Assist teachers with instructional activities, classroom management, and the development of an appropriate learning environment.Adapt materials, activities, and learning experiences to meet individual student needs as directed by licensed staff.Incorporate assistive technology, adaptive equipment, and multi-sensory materials as appropriate.Support student engagement, participation, communication, and independence.Communicate with general education teachers and other staff regarding student needs under the direction of supervising certified/licensed staff.Assist students in developing functional and life skills, including self-care, hygiene, communication, and social-emotional skills.Personal Care, Health & SafetyProvide personal care assistance according to the individual needs of students while maintaining student privacy, confidentiality, and personal dignity.Assist with toileting, diapering, hygiene, feeding, meal preparation, mobility, positioning, and other personal care needs as assigned.Ensure student safety through active supervision throughout the school day.Follow all District health, safety, confidentiality, and mandated reporting requirements.Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding student educational, health, behavioral, and personal information.Student Supervision & Transportation SupportProvide active student supervision during classroom and out-of-classroom activities.Supervise students during arrivals and departures, outside breaks, transitions, passing periods, sensory or movement breaks, and other assigned activities.Communicate and coordinate with teachers, paraprofessionals, and other staff regarding student schedules, movements, needs, and locations.Based on individual student needs and District assignment, may be required to accompany and support a student during District-provided transportation to and/or from school.CollaborationWork collaboratively with teachers, special education staff, general education staff, therapists, related service providers, paraprofessionals, administration, and other District personnel.Participate in team meetings, staff development, student planning, and training as requested.Follow instructional and behavioral direction provided by certified/licensed staff.Maintain professional, respectful, and appropriate communication with staff, students, and families.Maintain confidentiality regarding student educational, behavioral, medical, and personal information. Qualifications and Education RequirementsSuccessfully pass the WorkKeys assessment through the Workforce Center in Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, and Business Writing, unless the candidate holds an Associate's Degree or higher.Demonstrated aptitude and ability to perform the responsibilities of the position.Experience working with children or youth.Ability to maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and appropriate boundaries.Ability and willingness to provide behavioral, instructional, physical, and personal-care support based on individual student needs.Ability to follow student IEPs, BIPs, safety plans, District procedures, and directions from supervising certified/licensed staff.Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.Qualifications Preferred but Not RequiredAssociate's Degree or higher.Experience working with students with disabilities and/or significant support needs.Knowledge of positive behavior supports, behavior intervention strategies, or de-escalation techniques.Experience working in a school, special education, or classroom setting.Experience providing personal care or functional life-skills support to children Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesAbility to work effectively and compassionately with students with diverse learning, behavioral, physical, communication, and personal-care needs.Basic understanding of instructional and positive behavior support strategies.Ability to maintain calm, consistent, and professional responses during challenging student behaviors.Strong communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills.Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding student educational, health, behavioral, and personal information.Ability to follow directions and work under the supervision of certified/licensed staff.Ability to collect and accurately document student data.Ability to provide active supervision and respond appropriately to student health and safety needs.Ability to adapt to changing student needs, schedules, and assignments throughout the school day.Working Conditions & Physical RequirementsWork is primarily performed in classrooms, special education settings, general education classrooms, resource areas, playgrounds, and other school environments.Frequent interaction with students, teachers, staff, families, and service providers.Requires active supervision of students throughout the school day.Requires frequent movement throughout classrooms, school buildings, playgrounds, and other student environments.May require sitting or working at floor level, bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and assisting students with transitions and activities.Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.May require assisting students with mobility, positioning, personal care, toileting/diapering, feeding, hygiene, or other individualized support needs.May involve exposure to challenging student behaviors and situations requiring trained behavioral or crisis-response strategies.May require accompanying a student during District transportation based on student needs and assignment. ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: see attached linkPhysical Requirements and Working Conditions - CLICK HEREApplication and Selection Procedure:Candidates: Apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/re1valley/onlineapp/Completed and submitted online application.A current cover letter or letter of interest detailing information about the candidate and their interest in the position.A current, professional resume.Three current professional letters of reference. If you do not have internet access, a computer is available in the Human Resources Division, Hagen Education Center, 301 Hagen, Sterling, Colorado.Applications are reviewed to match candidates with position qualifications, and a limited number of candidates are selected for interviews. For the final selection, employment is contingent upon completing the post-offer screening process, including a background check and possible medical examination. Benefits & Eligibility:RE-1 Valley School District is proud to offer eligible employees excellent benefits, which may include:Employer-paid health insurance.Optional dental and vision insurance.Supplemental Life InsuranceFlexible Spending PlansRetirement Savings PlansFollow helpful link below for more insurance informationInsurance Information - CLICK HEREOther Duties:Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.Additional Notation:All staff are to be cognizant of policies regarding confidentiality. All District Board of Education policies may be viewed from the District's website.RE-1 Valley School District has two high schools, one middle school, one junior high school, three elementary schools and two preschools and serves approximately 1,910 students in the Sterling and Iliff/Crook areas, employing about 400 staff. RE-1 Valley School District utilizes a 4-day school week schedule (Tuesday-Friday). RE-1 Valley employs highly qualified, dedicated staff who believe our mission is to prepare all students for productive, successful lives beyond school through a balanced curriculum, activities, community experiences, global awareness, high expectations and interaction among students, parents and community. Visit the District website at www.re1valleyschools.org for more information including updated job postings and salary schedules.Caliche Elementary and Caliche Jr/Sr High School, located outside Iliff, CO, are a part of RE-1 Valley School District. The District Administration Center is located in Sterling, CO (Logan County) in the Northeastern corner of Colorado on Interstate 76 alongside the Platte River. Having the largest population, approximately 13,900, in Logan County and much of the surrounding area, Sterling offers shopping, restaurants, numerous parks, a recreation center, access to medical care and is located near North Sterling Reservoir. Sterling is approximately 1 1/2 hours from Denver International Airport and 2 hours from Denver and the Front Range (I-25 corridor). RE-1 Valley School District is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. RE-1 Valley School District makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.