Paraprofessional, Special Education

Paraprofessional, Special Education

Position is for the 2026-2027 school year. Location: 8970 York St., Thornton, CO 80229 - Academy High School. Pay Range: C10 Ranges, $18.26 - $39.33 per hour. Calendar: 181 Days, 7 Hours per day. FLSA Status: Non-Exempt. Reports To: School Director/Principal.

School Design Overview: At Academy High School (9-12), students are supported in developing powerful problem-solving and critical-thinking skills through coursework that exposes them to challenging engineering and biomedical courses. Students work to master core subjects with an emphasis on science, technology, math, and engineering, gaining technical skills they may apply in the real world. Academy High School also offers a Health Sciences Pathway as a part of the District's CTE program. The Academy CTE Health Sciences Pathway provides biology and anatomy foundational knowledge to support students interested in earning industry credentials in several career pathways including nurse practitioner positions, dental hygienist positions, and physical therapy aid positions.

Work Life and Benefits: In Mapleton, we believe you deserve every opportunity to maximize your unique potential. We offer a comprehensive benefits package focused on choice, quality, and value. To learn more about any one of the benefits and advantages of being a part of the Mapleton family, please visit our Benefits page.

Summary: Assist teacher with instructing students, reinforcing materials and skills, implementing curriculum, maintaining technology, and/or managing student behavior and/or needs in one of the following specialties: Title I, Bilingual/Multicultural, Classroom, Health Care Management, or Computer Technology.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. May assist teachers with one or more of the following: implementing lesson plans; maintaining classroom; reinforcing skills and materials; administering, scoring, and/or recording tests and grades; evaluating students and/or program; preparing instructional materials; developing work schedules; performing clerical duties; maintaining files, records, and/or progress reports; supervising students to and from classroom and/or buses, on field trips, on playground, in computer lab, and/or during other activities; preparing classroom or learning environment with needed supplies and materials; tutoring; and/or leading activities of class and/or small groups. May assist students with understanding and reinforcing skills and materials in their native language. May also support parents by interpreting school functions and/or by providing student progress information. May assist with student health care, including one or more of the following: administering first aid to ill or injured children; caring for bathroom needs; dispensing medication; assisting with medical needs; executing health care directives related to tube feeding, monitoring diabetes, and other situations; conducting health screenings; maintaining health records, logs, reports, and evaluations; and ordering and stocking medical supplies. May assist with maintaining, monitoring, and/or managing computer technology, including one or more of the following: IBM-compatible standalone workstations, computer labs, server, software, network, software licenses, troubleshooting, data backups, service and maintenance agreements, inventory and warranty information, replacement parts, software manual library, computer equipment usage, and/or computer-generated course/grade/attendance reports. May also assist with the preparation and maintenance of the building technology plan and technology budget. May attend appropriate in-services, building meetings, training, and/or school functions. May assist with lunch supervision. Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Training: AA Degree or have passed State Approved Assessment. May require training in computers or bilingual education, languages, and/or culture. Special Education staff are hired and assigned to schools and programs based on the level and type of student needs. Special Education assignments may require training from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) on non-verbal de-escalation and physical restraint. The District will provide the training/certification at no-cost to the employee and in accordance with Board Policy. New employees in assignments in which CPI is required will attend training within 30-45 days of their start date and will be required to attend a refresher course every 18-24 months.

Experience: 0-2 years' experience working with children in a school setting. May require experience in health care; working with children with various learning and physical disabilities; or working on/with networks, network management, and/or integrated learning and application.

Skills, Knowledge, & Equipment: May require one or more of the following skills: basic English, grammar, spelling, writing, word processing, keyboarding, basic computer skills, communication, and/or foreign language. May require operating knowledge of general Health care procedures. Operating knowledge of general office equipment preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, & Registrations: First Aid and CPR certifications may be required.

Supervisory/Technical Responsibility: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Training: Mandatory Title IX training is required by the Colorado Department of Education and for all public-school employees. Title IX training addresses harassment, discrimination, and bullying. Completing these mandatory Title IX training courses ensure we are meeting state requirements while continuing to foster a culture of safety and belonging across our schools. You will have two mandatory training courses that must be completed within 30 days of your date of hire and are required to be completed on your own time.

Judgment and Decision Making: Work is assigned by supervising Teacher, Principal, Assistant Principal, Program Director, and Asst. Director. Requires independent judgment to manage students and assist in their education, make quick decisions, treat students equitably and fairly, evaluate students' abilities and progress, direct class/students in the absence of the teacher, provide a positive role model for the students, care for ill or injured students. Also requires ability to follow directions and follow school and District guidelines, policies, and procedures. Decision making is guided by District, school, and state policies, procedures, and behavioral standards; Infectious Disease Handbook; District Technology Plans; and/or Building Instructional Plans. Decision making is made in collaboration with the supervising Teacher, staff, Principal, Assistant Principal, parents, counselors, administrators, and/or supervisor. Errors in decision making could impact students' safety, health, education, and/or progress. Supervisor is always involved in decision making.

Diversity of Duties: Duties may require cross training in one or more of the following: basic health care, student management, special education, bilingual skills, and/or basic instructional skills. Duties and actions impact individuals within the immediate work unit or assigned building. The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be frequently required to talk or hear; stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and/or stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may be required to lift/carry up to 50 pounds without assistance, and push/pull 200 pounds while assisting students in wheelchairs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Mental Functions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, use interpersonal skills, instruct, and analyze. May be frequently required to compare, copy, coordinate, compute, evaluate, and compile.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated with the Board's policy on the District Classified Performance Evaluation System.

Method of Application: External applicants must complete a career application online through Frontline Recruiting & Hiring. Current Mapleton employees should create an account and submit their interest as an internal candidate through Frontline Recruiting & Hiring. Smoking is not permitted in school district buildings or on school grounds.