POSITION: Special Education Paraprofessional 

GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions

LOCATION: Hiring at multiple locations (see openings)

SALARY: $40,000-$49,500 based on years of aligned experience in a role of similar level and responsibilities up to 10 years. We also offer a if you are moving from a location greater than 75 miles from Denver!

STATUS: Full time, benefits eligible, non-exempt, in-person position

START: Flexible but immediate start preferred. You can view the School Year Calendar. 

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Our Special Education Paraprofessionals support the educational, behavioral, social-emotional, physical and daily living needs of students with disabilities. As a paraprofessional at DSST you could be placed in one of the below settings. Please note that your role and responsibilities will vary based on both your setting placement and campus location. Read more about Special Education Programming . 

• Mild/Moderate Setting: This role is typically providing a student with disabilities with 1:1 support who receives the majority of their instructional time in the general education classroom. 

• Center Based Setting: This role typically entails working as part of a Center team providing 1:1 or small group support/instruction to students with disabilities that receive the majority of their daily instruction in a center program setting. 

Work in the Classroom

• Assist with the implementation of accommodations and modifications for one or multiple students.

• Assist with the implementation of behavior intervention plans and positive behavior supports to support the behavioral needs within the classroom environment.

• Assist teachers in developing lesson plans, material preparation and collecting data for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and collect data related to academics and behavior.

• Maintain a learning environment that is structured, organized, and routine-oriented with a variety of instructional formats.

• Assist the general education teacher with students that might need extra support with learning skills within the classroom environment.

• Exhibit clear communication skills to provide support and strategies to the center program team and school community by modeling and accepting on-going feedback.

• Communicate daily with families.

• Maintain confidentiality with student records and ensure that information regarding students is shared at appropriate times.

• Facilitate interactions between students and staff and students and their peers.

Curriculum and Assessment

• Assist with a variety of assessments that measure progress towards learning outcomes and behaviors that are needed to be successful in the general education environment.

• Provide extended time to students for assessments.

• Assist in the implementation of skill replacement curriculum that is focused on successful steps to inclusion, behavior skill development, social-communication strategies to facilitate engagement in the general education classroom, and other extracurricular activities.

Professional Development

• Reflect and seek to improve learning and development.

• Participate in the school’s professional development programs including principles and procedures in Applied Behavior Analysis, development of Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention plans, and social cognition and executive function skills.

• Lead and participate in best practice sessions and peer coaching.

• Attend conferences.

Additional duties as assigned such as supporting student recruitment, running a small group advisory class, after school tutoring, etc. See many of our possible duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• GED or High School Diploma

• Demonstrate “In-Field” Status to be a Paraprofessional in one of the following ways within 30 days of your start date. Read more about that .

• An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in high school, reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals, and lead exemplary lives

• Desire to personally professionally grow in their practice of becoming an anti-racist educator

• Self-awareness, a regular practice of reflection, and a desire to continuously improve

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven commitment to and experience with serving students of color, students with disabilities, and/or multilingual students

WHO WE ARE

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to be the largest and highest-performing network of public charter schools in Denver and Aurora with 100% of our students having been accepted into college or post secondary programs since our inception in 2004. When you join DSST, you play a part in ensuring all 7,500+ students at our 16 schools have access to a transformational and joyful education. 

INTERVIEW EXPECTATIONS

For most of our positions, we hire on a rolling basis. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able! You can learn more about what to expect in our interview process. 

WHY JOIN DSST?

At DSST, we know that our people are the greatest asset we have in reaching our mission of eliminating educational inequity. We work hard to build a work culture that allows our staff to not only feel fulfilled by the work they do but also feel supported to live a joyful, healthy life. We want this work to be your life’s work. Check out as well as our to learn how we deliver on our commitment to the human condition. 

• Health and Supplemental Insurance: DSST staff have access to comprehensive medical benefits, including fertility benefits and a mental health counselor that is dedicated solely to DSST staff.

• Time Off: DSST Staff enjoy + paid PTO (from Day 1!)

• Professional Development: As a learning organization, DSST values both internal and external development opportunities for staff. See some examples below:

  • DSST Back to School Development Series including New Staff Institute, New Educator Institute, New Leader Institute, Leader You, and Teaching & Learning Institute. 

  • Weekly 1:1 Coaching from a School Administrator at your campus. 

  • Clear internal career pathway opportunities such as our Apprentice Teachers, Emerging Leaders, and School Director in Training Programs.  

• And more!

DSST COMMUNITY REFERRAL PROGRAM

Not a best fit role for you but know someone else who would be a great fit? Refer them and earn $500 if they are hired! 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.