SPED Instructional Assistant​/Special Needs - Desert Trails ES

2026/27 SPED Instructional Assistant/Special Needs - Desert Trails ES

Starting Date: Aug 3, 2026

Location: Desert Trails Elementary School

Duration: 9 months, 6.5 hours/day

Salary: Grade 16, $16.99/hour

Employment Type: Non-Interim Position

Dates of Employment: 8/3/2026 - 5/27/2027

Benefits: ASRS, Paid Sick/Personal Time, Medical and optional Dental/Vision

Qualification: HS Diploma or GED

• Adapt classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher to support and reinforce classroom objectives.
• Administer tests, homework, make‑up work, etc. to support teachers in the classroom.
• Assist medically fragile, physically disabled, or developmentally delayed students with tasks such as lifting, feeding, toilet training, diapering, tube feeding, colostomy bags, medication, etc. to maintain personal hygiene and immediate healthcare needs.
• Attend meetings and in‑service presentations (e.g., first aid, CPR, emergency procedures) to acquire and/or convey information relative to job functions.
• Communicate with supervising instructional staff, professional support personnel, and parents to assist in evaluating progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.
• Escort students to and from destinations (e.g., bathroom, office classroom) to ensure an efficient and safe arrival.
• Implement, under the supervision of assigned teachers, behavioral plans designed by the IEP team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions to present and reinforce learning concepts.
• Intervene in potential conflicts utilizing appropriate physical and/or therapeutic approaches to diffuse confrontations and minimize disruptions.
• Document instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/records to ensure availability of items, provide written reference, and/or meet mandated requirements.
• Model conversation, manners, clean‑up activities, listening, job skills, and everyday interactions to demonstrate appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Monitor student’s daily schedule and behavior plan to maintain a safe and positive learning environment.
• Monitor students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g., rest rooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots) to maintain a safe and positive learning environment.
• Perform general clerical functions (e.g., copying, filing, data entry) to support the instructional program.
• Provide instruction to students in a variety of individual and group activities (e.g., academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills, job skills) under the supervision of assigned teacher to reinforce instructional objectives, implement IEP plans, and help students succeed in school.
• Remain with students at all times to provide safety, remove students when necessary, de‑escalate situations outside the classroom.
• Respond to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns.

• Perform other related duties as assigned to ensure efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Adhering to safety practices.
• Operating standard office equipment and pertinent software applications.
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records.
• Basic math (fractons, percents, ratios), reading manuals, writing documents, presenting information.
• Instructional procedures and practices, age‑appropriate student activities, safety procedures, conflict resolution, stages of child development/behavior.
• Scheduling activities, gathering/ collating data, using basic job‑related equipment.
• Flexibility to work with others, handle interruptions, maintain confidentiality, work as part of a team, maintain positive rapport with students and community.

Experience: Job related experience is desired.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates and Licenses: CPR Certificate, First Aid Certificate, QBS Certificate (to be maintained).

Clearances: Criminal Background Clearance, Valid Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Paradise Valley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the School's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or Title II of the Genetic Information Non Discrimination Act of 2008 may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.