EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SPECIAL EDUCATION SUBSTITUTE PARAPROFESSIONAL 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR

** Applications will be received until May 7, 2027. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **

About this job:    

A substitute Early Childhood Paraprofessional or substitute Special Education Paraprofessional fills in for school's ECE or Special Education  Paraprofessionals that are away from the classroom.  Sub Paras assist the classroom teacher with managing the classroom, and maintaining a productive learning environment. Sub Early Childhood Paras adapt to early child students or Sub Special Education Subs support in Special Education classrooms in K-12 grades supporting students' learning.    

**All substitute teachers are requested to work a minimum of five assignments a month. 

What DPS Offers You:

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• Salary:
  • Sub Early Childhood Para's hourly rate is: $22.125 per hour - MUST have a High School Diploma or GED
  • Sub Special Education Para's hourly rate is: $23.178 per hour - MUST have a High School Diploma or GED and 48 hours of College Credits or passing score EDReady Math and Reading test.
• In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits - English Version or Health and Wellness Benefits  - Spanish Version , and PERA Retirement. For additional information visit our New Employee Resources page.

What You'll Do:

Early Childhood Education Paras 

• Performs classroom duties as assigned, including but not limited to preparing instructional materials, assisting with student instruction, student care and discipline, and keeping the classroom clean and well-organized.
• Assists with field trips, parent meetings (including child care), and other classroom activities.
• Plans and evaluates program and student needs with the teacher daily and addresses specific student needs as identified by the teacher.
• Communicates with teachers and administrators about performance and disciplinary issues.
• Communicates with parents about routine issues as directed. 
• Attends and participates in all required pre-service training programs and staff development meetings.
• Maintains the confidentiality of student information.
• Follows established District policies and procedures.
• Complies with program rules and regulations including State of Colorado licensing requirements for Child Care Centers. 

Special Education Paras 

• Provides services to one or more individual students as outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP), including supporting academic, health, daily living, and behavioral needs.
• Monitors classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives and meeting learning goals.
• Provides daily living procedures such as toileting, diapering, feeding, and personal hygiene as trained.
• Provides medically invasive (e.g., tube feeding, catheterization, suctioning) following universal precautions and as trained and directed.
• Lifts and transports students using appropriate equipment and technique according to District training.
• Supports implementation of students’ individual behavior intervention plans, crisis plans, and health care plans.
• Implements student accommodations and modifications as outlined in their individual IEP in both academic and nonacademic settings throughout the school day.
• Under the supervision of a special education teacher, you will collect data on students’ individual IEP goals.

• Communicates and coordinates with students and parents about routine educational issues at the direction of the supervising special education teacher

What You’ll Need:

• Sub Early Childhood Para - MUST have a High School Diploma or GED
• Sub Special Education Para - MUST have a High School Diploma or GED and 48 hours of College Credits or passing score EDReady Math and Reading test.
• Must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent. 
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education. 
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.  

• Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation.  DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.  

DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth.  Learn more at dpsk12.org.