Paraprofessional-Special Education Aide

Paraprofessional‑Special Education Aide

Diocese of Tucson – St. Joseph Catholic School, Tucson, Arizona

Base pay range: $17.00/hr - $17.00/hr

Under the direction of the School Principal, the paraprofessional is responsible for serving as a role model and supporting the Diocese of Tucson in its mission to evangelize, catechize, and educate youth in a Catholic School environment. The paraprofessional shall be a minister of the Gospel and Catholic Teaching both academically and behaviorally while at work and in his/her personal life.

“Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.” (Eph. 4:1)

• Recognize and support the unique Catholic Mission of the School by speaking, acting, and instructing consistent with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Show evidence of living Gospel values by being an active member of a faith community and supporting a personal faith journey.
• Help build the School’s faith community through participation in and planning of religious and service activities.
• Provide support to the educational process with specific responsibilities for assisting in the supervision, care and instruction of special‑needs students in the regular classroom or in a Special Education classroom.
• Assist in implementing plans for instruction; monitor student behavior during non‑classroom time; provide information to appropriate school personnel.
• Adapt classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher to support classroom objectives.
• Administer tests, homework, make‑up work, etc. to support teachers in the classroom.
• Attend meetings and in‑service presentations for professional development.
• Collect data as requested by the teacher for accurate, complete and correct records required by law, diocesan policy and school regulations.
• Communicate with supervising instructional staff to evaluate progress and implement IEP/ISP objectives.
• Administer immediate first aid and medical assistance as instructed by a health care professional.
• Implement behavioral plans under teacher supervision as designed by the CARE team for students with behavior disorders or other special conditions.
• Monitor students during assigned periods within a variety of school environments (e.g., rest rooms, playgrounds, hallways, bus loading zones, cafeteria, parking lots).
• Provide instruction to students in individual and group activities (e.g., academic subjects, social skills, daily living skills) under teacher supervision to reinforce instructional objectives and IEP/ISP plans.
• Maintain a professional manner and demonstrate a sense of professional responsibility.
• Adhere to the Diocese Tucson Safe Environment program and guidelines regarding appropriate boundaries and mandatory reporting law compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requires coordination and manual dexterity, normal mental and visual ability; ability to lift as required in a normal classroom environment.

Walking, sitting, standing, stooping, reaching, talking, hearing, and carrying.

• A working knowledge of, and a strong commitment to, fostering lay leadership in the Catholic Church. If baptized, must be a practicing Roman Catholic in full communion with the Church.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional bearing and clean, neat personal appearance.
• Excellent leadership, human relations, and interpersonal skills; self‑starter, well‑organized, team player.
• Employ flexibility and follow the direction of the lead teacher.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Successfully complete a criminal history and background check.

• Associate’s Degree or higher OR
• High School diploma or GED AND completed two years of study (60 or more credit hours) from an accredited institution of higher education OR
• High School diploma or GED AND obtained a passing score on one of the Arizona Department of Education approved assessments: ETS Para Pro Assessment (Praxis), ACT Work Keys (Writing, Applied Mathematics & Reading for Information), Master Teacher’s Para Educator PD Now! (formerly Para Educator Learning Network).
• For paraprofessionals working with students with special needs, required training to work effectively with assigned student(s).

• Bilingual preferred.

St. Joseph Parish/Catholic School is a Roman Catholic religious organization and all employees are expected to respect and conduct themselves in accordance with the values, teachings, and morals of the Roman Catholic Church and Arizona state law. Under the “Zero Tolerance Policy,” no one will be knowingly assigned or retained if determined to have engaged in the abuse of a minor or violated boundaries in dealing with minors.

Entry level

Full‑time

Education and Training