Elementary Special Education Educational Assistant (Please apply directly with STEM Charter School Highlands Ranch - DO NOT apply online with DCSD)

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Job Posting Title:

Elementary Special Education Educational Assistant (Please apply directly with STEM Charter School Highlands Ranch - DO NOT apply online with DCSD)

Job Description:

About STEM School Highlands Ranch

At STEM School Highlands Ranch, we place innovation at the heart of learning to unleash the potential of all students and prepare them for an exponentially changing world. As a K-12 public charter school in the Douglas County School District, we are committed to creating an environment that fosters respect, success, and continuous improvement. We welcome you to join us in our mission to redefine limits and unleash potential.

Position Specific Information (if Applicable):

Our Core Values:

Prioritize Students – Every decision we make is focused on ensuring students thrive, lead, and succeed. The community that surrounds students exists for the purpose of their growth and development.

Build a Strong Community – We are more than a school, we are a community. We all have equal value and seek to encourage each other to maximize our unique strengths, gifts, and passions. The true power of a charter school is in the strength of its community.

Do Right, Always – Honesty, trust, and ethical decision-making guide our actions, fostering respect, accountability, and a safe environment, even in challenging circumstances or when recognition is absent.

Embrace Innovation – Never Stop Innovating. Innovation thrives on continuous growth, bold problem-solving, and a willingness to push boundaries, transforming ideas into meaningful progress.

Take Steady Steps – We play the long game with people and projects by implementing strategic planning, clear communication, systems and process, ample resources, and appropriate pacing - setting a strong foundation for a supportive environment for our community to thrive.

Lead With Care – Dedicated to making a difference through personal ownership, care, and compassion, creates lasting impact in our students, colleagues, and community.

Elevate the Standard – A commitment to continuous growth, where skills are refined, applied, and adapted to achieve the highest standards and empower everyone to reach their fullest potential.

Laugh Together – Having fun makes the team work! Creating an environment where joy is encouraged. Strengthens our teams, fosters a positive culture, and fuels creativity, making everyone feel valued, energized, and motivated to contribute.

Benefits:
STEM School Highlands Ranch offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
● Employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance (available on the 1st of the following month).
● Short-term, long-term disability, life, and ADD insurance (available six months from hire date).
● Retirement benefits including PERA pension and 401K employee-only contribution managed through Colorado’s PERA program.
● Other benefits include FSA (medical and dependent care), Sick Time, and PTO based on years of service.

Position Overview:
The Elementary Special Education Educational Assistant will work with the Special Education Team to assist in providing specialized services and interventions with students, under the supervision of the Learning Support Specialist.

Position Requirements:
As a Special Education EA, you will be expected to:
● Provide assistance to Learning Support Specialists/moderate-needs special education teachers
● Assist in instruction using a variety of methods under the supervision of the special education teachers.
● Provide integrated special education services and support in the general education setting for students on IEPs
● Provides support that promotes students' independence, interaction with other students, and overall membership in the classroom
● Support in maintaining student records pertaining to social-emotional and academic progress, including confidential reports and information
● Support staff in implementing behavior interventions within the classroom for students. This can be in small groups or with individual students.
● Assist in implementing IEP, MTSS goals, as well as Behavior Intervention Plans.
● Assist in providing general education classroom accommodation support
● Collaborate and consult with the Elementary Student Support Team, including but not limited to elementary Learning Specialists, Social Worker, Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Behavior Intervention Specialist, and administration.
● Other duties as assigned by Learning Specialists and/or administration

Qualifications Required:

● High School Diploma or Equivalent, Pass a criminal background evaluation, Maintain a commitment to students’ learning. Excel at organizational tasks that involve many people and variables. Thrive in a diverse, intellectually challenging, entrepreneurial environment.
● Previous experience working within a school or education setting.
● Responsiveness: Follow up and follow through with students and faculty members is essential. Knowledge of both Mac and PC, and Google Suite.
● Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities.
● Flexibility and willingness to collaborate with the team.

Qualifications Preferred:
● Previous experience working with students with disabilities, including but not limited to learning disabilities, autism, speech language impairments, other health impairments, etc.
● Previous experience working with or have familiarity with a variety of behavioral techniques and strategies.
● Previous experience working in a center-based special education program.
● CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention certification (or ability to obtain)
● RBT certification

Essential Physical Requirements:
● Occasional lifting of 5 to 50 pounds.
● Ability to stand or walk for 90 minutes.
● Ability to run short distances.
● Frequent bending, stooping, walking, standing, kneeling, crawling, squatting, reaching, and sitting.

Schedule:
● Day shift
● Monday to Friday
● School Year: 2026-2027
● School Days: 173
This position will be open until filled, but will not be open past: August 30, 2026
Compensation:
The pay range for this role is $17.30 - $26.64 USD per hour.

Interested candidates should apply directly through the STEM School Highlands Ranch at

Responsibilities:

--- Assist students, individually or in small groups, with lesson assignments for the purpose of practicing and/or reinforcing learning concepts and assisting students in reaching academic goals and grade level standards.

--- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

--- Administer minor first aid for the purpose of meeting immediate health care needs.

--- Report observations and incidents relating to specific students (e.g. accidents, fights, appropriate and inappropriate social behavior, violations of rules, safety conditions, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to appropriate instructional and/or administrative personnel.

--- Perform general clerical tasks for the purpose of assisting teachers with instructional material.

--- Monitor individual and/or groups of students in a variety of settings (e.g. classroom, playground, field trips, library, lunchroom, bus loading/unloading, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment.

--- Mediate student conflicts to ensure a safe educational environment.

--- Maintain instructional materials and/or manual and electronic files/ for the purpose of ensuring availability of items, and/or meeting mandated requirements.

--- Assist teachers with classroom assignments for the purpose of supporting teachers in the instructional process.

Certifications:

First Aid & CPR Certification - Colorado

Education:

High School or Equivalent (Required)

Skills:

Position Type:

Charter School

Primary Location:

STEM Charter School

One Year Only (Yes or No):

No

Scheduled Hours Per Week:

40

FTE:

1.00

Approx Scheduled Days Per Year:

185 Work Days

• (260 days indicates a year-round position. Time off [or Off-Track Days] are then granted based on the position. Any exceptions to the normal off-track time will be noted in the Additional Position Details section above, as scheduled work days.)

Minimum Hire Rate:

$16.78 USD Hourly

Maximum Hire Rate:

$21.32 USD Hourly

Full Salary Range:

$16.78 USD - $25.86 USD Hourly

• All salary amounts listed above are based on a full-time (1.0) FTE. If applicable, part-time salaries will be prorated according to the assigned FTE.

Benefits:

This position is eligible for health, vision, dental, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), District paid and voluntary additional (supplemental) life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, critical illness and accident voluntary insurance, employee assistance program (EAP), voluntary 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plan options.

Time Off Plans:

This position will be open until filled, but will not be open past:

September 11, 2026