SPECIAL NEEDS ASSISTANT - POOLED (JOB ID: 63552)

Job Title: Special Needs Assistant

Department: Extended Learning & Community Schools, Denver Public Schools

Location: Southmoor Elementary School

Schedule: Before and after school; hours vary, approximately 6:15am-9:00am and/or 2:00-6:00pm

Hourly Rate: $21.50/hour

Make a difference in the lives of students by joining our team and supporting the DPS vision, Every Child Succeeds.

Highlights: Paid professional development trainings, benefits available for those working 20 hours/week, free enrollment for your child during scheduled shifts

PLEASE NOTE: This job posting is for Special Needs Assistant positions that become available district wide:

Essential Functions and Objectives:

To provide a safe and learning environment for children, nurture a positive work environment that conducts students to the optimal growth and development. To interpret the philosophy of Denver Public Schools to faculty, staff, parents, visitors and the community. To ensure compliance of School District and Colorado Department of Human Services policies.

• Provide care, support, and supervision to students during Discovery Link programming. Follow any IEP requirements and provide small group or 1:1 services as needed.
• Ensures that Colorado Department of Human Services Rules and Regulations are in compliance
• Maintain and facilitate open communication with parents, staff and students
• Interact positively with parents and refer questions and concerns to the Supervisor when needed and appropriate.
• Maintain a punctual, reliable schedule during program hours.
• Follow staff conduct guidelines outlined in the staff handbook.
• Perform facility maintenance and housekeeping duties as assigned and needed.
• Follow the general daily schedule for the program.
• Maintain appropriate standards for children’s behavior following the discipline guidelines as outlined in the staff handbook; use the discipline log when necessary.
• Maintain the accident log and complete accident reports, with assistance from the supervisor, as required by Denver Public Schools and or child care licensing.
• Maintain licensing ratio for staff to child.
• Provide careful supervision of play areas to ensure children’s safety.
• Assist in planning program curriculum.
• Attend all orientations, trainings and staff meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Experience, & Other Qualifications:

• Must pass a CBI (Colorado) and FBI (Federal) background check.
• Must have at least three (3) months (or 460 hours) of satisfactory and verifiable work experience with school-age children -OR-a college degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education or related field.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must be able to become First Aid, CPR and Standard Precautions certified
• Ability to relate positively to children and adults.
• Ability to build relationships and partnerships with diverse people and organizations; strong collaboration skills.
• Flexible, self-motivated individual.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Education Requirements:

HS Diploma or Equivalent.

Other information:

The Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools supports and strengthens DPS students, families, schools and communities by delivering and facilitating high-quality programs and services that extend beyond the traditional school experience. This includes out-of-school-time programs and volunteer and community partnership services. This work creates safe environments where students and families gain the tools, resources and social competencies they need to achieve success.

Additional Information

- Work Year Calendars (including accrued time off): http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/Page/1129

- Benefits (including DPS contributions): http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/Page/1397

- Compensation Structures: http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/Page/244

- Employee must live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working for Denver Public Schools.

About Denver Public Schools:

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.

DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $21.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Grade school specialties:

• 1st grade
• 2nd grade
• 3rd grade
• 4th grade
• 5th grade
• Elementary school

Physical setting:

• Public school

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Are you at least 16 years of age?
• Are you at least 18 years of age?
• Are you willing and able to complete a Colorado state Background Check?
• are you able to complete a background in each state you have lived in during the past 5 years?
• are you able to complete a TRAILS child abuse and neglect background check?
• Are you available to work the necessary hours which are Monday-Friday 6:15am-9:00am and/or 2:30pm-6:00pm?
• Have you reviewed the full job posting online including the qualifications?
• Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in education, psychology, sociology or related field?

Experience:

• Childcare: 3 years (Required)
• Special needs: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Special Education Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person