What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Education Teacher (SPED) position at Community Autism Services?
Special Education Teacher | Aurora, CO
Full-Time | School-Based | $36/hour-$56/hour
At Community Autism Services, we know that great outcomes for students start with great support for teachers. You won't be handed a caseload and left to figure it out - you'll have BCBAs, clinical leadership, and a collaborative team behind you every step of the way. We build environments where teachers thrive, and where the work you do has a measurable, lasting impact on students' lives.
WHAT SETS US APART
- Embedded BCBA support and collaborative consultation on every caseload
- A culture that prioritizes data-driven instruction without losing the human element
- Real investment in your professional development - ABA, trauma-informed practice, AAC, secondary transition, and more
- Meaningful, stable work in Aurora's growing school-based programs
- A leadership team that has worked in the field and genuinely gets it
Our Approach
CAS operates within Aurora Public Schools as a state-aligned district. Our SPED teachers hold the Colorado Special Education Generalist credential and serve across program types - ASD, Affective Needs, CoAlt/SSN - through training, experience, and collaboration rather than separate licensure tracks. We believe every classroom should be a place of high expectations, evidence-based practice, and genuine connection.
Role Overview
The Special Education Teacher is the heartbeat of the classroom. You'll design and deliver individualized, evidence-based instruction to students with a range of needs - from students on the autism spectrum (non-verbal to social skills) to students with affective/emotional needs and those served through CoAlt/SSN programs. You'll partner closely with BCBAs, paraprofessionals, families, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure every student's IEP is not just compliant - but meaningful.
We are hiring for two program levels - Elementary (K–5) and Middle/High School (6–12). Apply for the level that matches your experience and passion; we will not ask you to teach where you don't want to be.
What You'll Do
IEP CASE MANAGEMENT & COMPLIANCE
- Serve as case manager for a caseload of students with disabilities; write data-driven, compliant IEPs with meaningful, measurable goals
- Facilitate annual IEP meetings, triennial evaluations, and eligibility determinations in partnership with the multidisciplinary team
- Develop and monitor progress toward academic, behavioral, communication, and functional goals
- Complete required documentation - progress reports, meeting notes, prior written notices — accurately and on time
- Participate in MTSS/RTI processes for students approaching or holding special education eligibility
INSTRUCTION & DIFFERENTIATION
- Deliver structured, individualized instruction aligned to each student's IEP goals and Colorado Academic Standards (or CoAlt Extended Evidence Outcomes where applicable)
- Implement evidence-based instructional strategies including discrete trial teaching, NDBIs, and structured teaching approaches
- Differentiate instruction across modalities and learning profiles; adapt curriculum for students with mild-to-profound needs
- Support and implement AAC systems - SGDs, PECS, and manual sign - in coordination with SLPs and BCBAs
- Collaborate with general education teachers on push-in/co-teaching models, accommodations, and modifications for students in inclusive settings
BEHAVIOR & SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
- Partner with BCBAs on the development, implementation, and monitoring of FBAs and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
- Collect behavioral and instructional data consistently - frequency, duration, ABC, interval -and use it to drive instructional decisions
- Implement trauma-informed, restorative-justice-aligned practices and de-escalation strategies in the classroom
- For Affective Needs classrooms: coordinate wraparound care with mental health providers, school counselors, and when appropriate, medical and law enforcement partners
- Utilize frameworks such as SOAR, collaborative problem solving, and tiered behavioral supports as appropriate to the program
TEAM LEADERSHIP & PARAPROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
- Supervise, train, and coach paraprofessionals and classroom support staff in daily implementation of student programs
- Provide real-time feedback and structured coaching to paras on instructional delivery, behavior support, and data collection
- Communicate effectively with families - building trust, sharing progress, and partnering on goals in and out of the IEP process
- Actively participate in school-based MTSS, problem-solving, and grade-level teams
What We're Looking For
UNIVERSAL REQUIREMENTS
- Active Colorado CDE license with Special Education Generalist endorsement - or eligibility to obtain (TTE/SEE pathways considered)
- IEP case management experience in a Colorado school district setting strongly preferred
- Broad data collection skills: instructional probes, progress monitoring, rate/accuracy tracking, and behavioral data
- Strong written and verbal communication with families, educators, and multidisciplinary team members
- Must pass district fingerprinting and background check
BONUS - NICE TO HAVE
- General education teaching license or endorsement (not required, but valued - especially for secondary co-teaching and content competency alignment)
- Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish
- Training or certification in CPI, Safety-Care, or similar crisis prevention/intervention frameworks
- Experience with school-based IEP platforms such as Infinite Campus or Frontline
Compensation & Benefits
- $36/hour-$56/hour based on experience and program type
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid school-year schedule following the APS academic calendar
- Ongoing professional development: ABA, AAC, trauma-informed practices, secondary transition, and more
- Career pathways into lead teacher, program specialist, and instructional coaching roles
About CAS
Community Autism Services is committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care to children and families while creating meaningful, sustainable careers for our team members. We believe exceptional outcomes start with well-supported educators - through strong leadership, thoughtful systems, and a culture rooted in collaboration and growth.
As part of a nationwide organization, CAS combines the stability of scale with the heart of a community-based provider. Whether you work in elementary ASD programs or secondary affective needs classrooms, you'll find opportunities to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact on the students who need you most.
Community Autism Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary : $36 - $56