Paraeducator Special Education

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

CLASSIFICATION: SUPPORT STAFF

JOB TITLE: PARAEDUCATOR SPECIAL EDUCATION - EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIORAL DISABILITIES (EDGE)

CALENDAR: 1802PT OR 1902FT (9 MONTH)

SALARY: GRADE 109 (SUPPORT HOURLY)

Job Goal:

Provide instruction under the supervision of the special education teacher in a special education environment or as required by an individualized education plan (IEP); and provide support to students with social needs similar to those identified with autism spectrum disorder. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent plus an associate's degree or 60 semester hours from an accredited university, or satisfactory results on an AZ state-approved competency exam
• CPR/First Aid (certification provided)
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a computer and related software
• Satisfactory criminal background check
• The physical demands are described below

Core Job Functions:

• Student Support & Instruction: Reinforce material by providing one-on-one or small-group instruction to students. Assist with academic, physical, and emotional needs, following each student's IEP guidelines.
• Personal Care & Medical Assistance: Provide support with activities of daily living like toileting, feeding, and dressing. You'll also administer basic first aid and emergency rescue medications to students as needed.
• Facilitate communication: Serve as a translator for oral and written communication between parents, students, and staff when necessary.
• Social-Emotional Development: Assist students with their social and emotional needs, helping them build positive behaviors and navigate social situations. Y
• Behavioral & Safety Management: Implement behavioral plans to help students modify behaviors and maintain a positive classroom environment. You are responsible for students' well-being and safety, supervising them during school activities and reporting any potential concerns to the teacher.
• Collaboration & Administrative Duties: Assist with assessments and data collection under the supervision of the certified teacher. Participate in meetings and training to enhance your knowledge and skills. You will also translate for students, parents, and staff when required.
• General Operations: Help maintain a quiet and orderly classroom. You will operate and care for instructional equipment and perform all duties safely and prudently, following district policies and supervisor directives.

Core Values:

• Excellence in all we do. No matter how large or small, we value excellence in all parts of this organization. Excellence is a value, a quality, and our most important product.
• Equity and fairness in all things. Education is the great leveler, and we intend for all our students, staff, and patrons to have the opportunity, tools, and ability to succeed and excel.
• Collaboration is an effective decision-making model as well as an effective morale-enhancing model.
• Integrity is simply non-negotiable. Honesty, integrity, and reliability are the foundations of our organization.
• Efficiency is the essence of being a good steward of public trust. Our community supports us because we continually demonstrate our ability to produce the very best by carefully using the resources available.

Professional Qualities:

• Respond to all internal and external customers, as it relates to position, in a prompt, efficient, friendly, and patient manner
• Function effectively as a team member
• Be responsible, reliable, and punctual
• Be flexible and adaptable to change
• Positively accept direction
• Establish and maintain courteous, cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and parents
• Direct constructive criticism toward improving the district
• Exercise positive problem-solving behavior and conflict resolution skills
• Adhere to the dress code appropriate to the site and job
• Share sensitive student and staff information on a need-to-know basis
• Be a positive role model for students
• Work with a large cross-section of people in a professional and non-judgmental manner

Physical Requirements: Working with Students with Special Needs

• Mobility and Movement: Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, stand, walk, and sit. The role involves repetitive finger and manual dexterity.
• Sensory and Communication: Requires the ability to speak, hear, and see (with correction) to perform essential job functions.
• Physical Exertion:
  • Occasionally: Lift or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Frequently: Lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
  • Constantly: Lift or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Work Environment: Employees may be exposed to various environmental factors such as odors, dust, poor ventilation, workspace restrictions, bloodborne pathogens, and loud noises.
• General: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Note:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the school/department.

Updated 9/2/25