Full-Time

Special Education Paraprofessional

Significant Support Needs

Academy District 20

Academy District 20

Public K-12 school district administration

Compensation Overview

$21.02 - $22.07/hr

Colorado Springs, CO, USA

In Person

The position may be reassigned to another school during the school year if student needs change.

Category
Education
Required Skills
First Aid
Data Analysis
Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Obtain and maintain certifications necessary to support students with special needs.
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with students and adults in a wide variety of settings.
  • Create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in software systems.
  • Establish and maintain accurate record-keeping, document-management, and filing systems.
  • Follow oral and written instructions and work independently without direct supervision.
  • Maintain confidentiality and understand data privacy laws and their implications for the educational community.
  • Demonstrate computer proficiency, including office productivity applications.
  • Possess knowledge of special education, educational programming, and associated legal requirements related to assigned students.
  • Attend required ongoing, occupational therapy and physical therapy, and student-specific training, including delegated nursing practices when applicable.
  • Meet the physical and self-help needs of students, including toileting, feeding, dressing, transfers, lifting, and physical restraint when necessary.
  • Work scheduled school hours and days and accommodate extended hours, days, locations, or assignments as directed.
  • Lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds and safely assist with two-person lifts or higher weights when required by student needs.
Responsibilities
  • Perform day-to-day activities of teaching special education students under the supervision of a teacher without making diagnostic or long-term education decisions.
  • Support the principal and classroom teachers in implementing Significant Support Needs programs and maintaining a positive and safe learning environment.
  • Assist licensed special education teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and evaluative staff in implementing goals for severely or profoundly disabled students.
  • Prepare meals, feed students, clean up after lunch, and implement communication, oral-motor, sensory-integration, and physical Individualized Education Program goals.
  • Carry out instructional programs and lessons in various learning environments designated in lesson plans.
  • Work with small groups of students under teacher supervision to reinforce previously introduced material.
  • Assist students with medical tasks such as dispensing medication, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, suctioning, and infectious-disease-control procedures.
  • Clean and disinfect regurgitation, blood, and urine.
  • Handle confidential special education student information.
  • Maneuver and secure wheelchairs.
  • Provide initial first aid and emergency care.
  • Assist students with physical tasks such as putting on and removing outerwear, moving between rooms, using the lavatory, and similar activities.
  • Carry out programming using physical therapy support equipment and sanitize equipment and materials.
  • Monitor student behavior contracts and reward systems and perform behavioral management using Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate.
  • Assist with non-standardized testing of students.
  • Develop and implement games and teaching aids and tutor students in various subject areas.
  • Assist students with preparing, producing, and maintaining assigned materials and equipment.
  • Coordinate completion of assignments or job tasks with classroom teachers and employers.
  • Work with students in one-to-one and group situations.
  • Assist students in finding materials and books in the library and conduct story time.
  • Monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, and bus loading.
  • Supervise students using computer programs and supervise swimming pools, weight rooms, or therapy pools.
  • Assist students with recitation, reading, and other curriculum tasks in classroom settings.
  • Attend pre-job training, ongoing training, and required meetings to remain current on job procedures.
  • Assist students in community-based settings.
  • Serve as a resource to the student personnel evaluation team concerning assigned students.
  • Work with teachers to integrate assistive technology into classrooms.
  • Maintain student files and update information as appropriate.
  • Maintain, order, and organize inventories of materials and equipment.
  • Collect data for assessment and monitoring purposes.
  • Complete daily paperwork, including attendance reports, detention slips, student referral slips, student passes, and physical therapy charts.
  • Perform miscellaneous clerical duties and assist other staff members.
  • Laminate materials and prepare bulletin boards for parents and programs.

Academy District 20 provides K-12 public education to students in northern Colorado Springs through a network of approximately 40 schools. The district operates using a site-based management model, which allows individual schools to design specialized curricula—such as International Baccalaureate or Career and Technical Education—to meet the specific needs of their local communities. This decentralized approach distinguishes the district from others by empowering school-level decision-making while maintaining the state's highest academic accreditation. The district's goal is to achieve academic excellence and community connectedness by optimizing resources and investing in diverse programs for students of all ability levels.

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • June 2026 enrollment held at 26,471, supporting stable state funding and staffing.
  • July 2026 Chromebook refresh and EAC construction show continued operational investment.
  • Susan Field’s 2026-27 interim appointment gives the district a full-year reset window.

What critics are saying

  • May 15, 2026 board split with Jinger Haberer signals governance instability into 2026-27.
  • Budget pressure remains real: January 2026 reserve protection delayed deeper spending flexibility.
  • Air Academy High School reconstruction depends on OLDCC approval and voter support, risking a multi-year failure.

What makes Academy District 20 unique

  • ASD20’s 2019 strategic framework centers academic excellence, connectedness, and resource optimization.
  • Its 20 CTE programs and dual-enrollment options create strong college-and-career pathways.
  • The district’s military-adjacent location supports specialized rebuild funding for Air Academy High School.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Flexible Work Hours

Hybrid Work Options

Remote Work Options

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Company News

KOAA
Aug 7th, 2026
CPW asks for no fishing on portion of Arkansas River during hottest parts of day.

CPW asks for no fishing on portion of Arkansas River during hottest parts of day. Posted 4:07 PM, Aug 07, 2026 PUEBLO, Colo. (KOAA) - Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is asking you to avoid fishing on a portion of the Arkansas River during the hottest parts of the day. A voluntary closure is now in effect every day from noon until midnight at the Arkansas River from Pueblo Boulevard east down to Fountain Creek. Low water levels and high temperatures are making it hard for trout to survive after being caught. "The drought conditions we're seeing this year call for creative partnerships and innovative solutions," said Lauren Ris, Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. "This effort demonstrates what's possible when water users, conservation organizations, and state partners come together to respond quickly to emerging needs. Through this collaborative project, we're helping protect the river while supporting the communities, recreation, and resources that depend on it." Officials say you should fish early in the morning when the water is cooler. CPW says if conditions get worse, they could make the closure mandatory. D20 board president resigns ahead of school year as family moves out of state. Academy District 20 School Board President Amy Shandy announced her resignation during the board's meeting Thursday, saying she is moving out of state after her husband accepted a new job. What should KOAA5 cover? Is there a story, topic, or issue Koaa News5 should revisit? Have a story you believe should make the light of day? Let its newsroom know with the contact form below. Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with its free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.

KOAA
May 19th, 2026
Academy School District 20 names interim superintendent after ousting former leader.

Academy School District 20 names interim superintendent after ousting former leader. Posted 3:55 PM, May 19, 2026 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) - The Academy School District 20 board unanimously selects Dr. Susan Field to lead the district through the 2026-27 school year. Academy School District 20 has selected an interim superintendent during a special meeting on Tuesday. The board unanimously selected Dr. Susan Field, the current assistant superintendent for learning services, to fill the role. This comes after former Superintendent Jinger Haberer was ousted in a board vote last week after members said they lost confidence in her leadership abilities. The district sent a letter to families on Tuesday saying they "remain strong, stable and focused" despite the transition of leadership. Field will serve in the role through the 2026-27 school year. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Its editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Teller county forest land enforcement. Allegations of illegal immigrants causing destruction and violating forest service laws come into question. With more updates from the sheriff's office ahead. What should KOAA5 cover? Is there a story, topic, or issue KOAA News 5 should revisit? Have a story you believe should make the light of day? Let its newsroom know with the contact form below. Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with its free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.