SPED Instructional Assistant​/Personal Care - Desert Trails ES

Instructional Assistant/Personal Care – Special Education

Location: Desert Trails Elementary School

Term: 9 months, 6.5 hours/day (Dates: 8/3/2026 - 5/27/2027)

Grade: 16, $16.99/hour

Position Type: Non-Interim

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

Requirement: HS Diploma or GED

The job of Instructional Assistant/SPED Personal Care is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for working with special need students one‑on‑one; following educational and specific behavioral plans; and reporting students' daily activities. This job reports to Teacher and/or Site Administrator.

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher to support and reinforce classroom objectives.
• Assists medically fragile, physically disabled, or developmentally delayed students (e.g., diapering, tube feeding) to maintain personal hygiene.
• Communicates with teacher/s and a variety of health care professionals (e.g., Speech Therapist, PTs, COTAs) to evaluate progress and/or implement IEP objectives.
• Documents student's daily activities (behavior, completed assignments, on/off task times) for daily logs and hourly activity records.
• Evaluates situations involving other staff, students, parents, the public, etc. to take action or provide referrals.
• Implements under teacher supervision behavioral plans for students with behavior disorders, reinforcing learning concepts.
• Maintains manual and electronic files/records for reference and mandated requirements.
• Models conversation, manners, clean up activities, listening, job skills, and everyday interactions to demonstrate appropriate social behavior in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Monitors student's daily schedule and behavior plan (class schedule, work schedule, personal hygiene) to maintain a safe and positive learning environment.
• Provides instruction (math, science, reading, behavioral skills, daily living skills, writing, verbal skills, job skills) to implement IEP goals.
• Stays with student at all times to ensure safety, removes student when necessary, and de‑escalates situations outside the classroom.
• Responds to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns.

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

• Adhering to safety practices; preparing and maintaining accurate records; physical restraint practices.
• Basic math including fractions, percents, ratios; reading manuals; writing documents; presenting information; understanding multi‑step written and oral instructions.
• Age‑appropriate activities for high‑risk youth; grammar and punctuation; instructional methods and training.
• Scheduling activities; gathering and collating data; using job‑related equipment; flexibility; working with diverse individuals; confidentiality; teamwork; handling frequent interruptions.
• Problem solving to identify issues and create action plans; interpreting guidelines; moderate equipment problem solving.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; teamwork; maintaining rapport with students, employees, community.

Job‑related experience required.

High school diploma or equivalent.

• CPR Certificate
• First Aid Certificate
• CPI Certificate (continuing education)

• Criminal Background Clearance
• Valid Arizona DPS Level I IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).)

FLSA Status - Non Exempt

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 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), or Title II of the Genetic Information Non‑Discrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) may contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.