Special Program Teaching Assistant (SPTA) - K-2 Self-Contained Classroom 1:1 Aide (30 Hours/ Week)

Special Program Teaching Assistant (SPTA)

K-2 Self Contained Classroom 1:1 Aide

30 hours per week

2025- 2026 Job Description

Job Summary: 

Under immediate supervision of a licensed professional, the Special Program Teaching Assistant (SPTA) performs a variety of paraprofessional duties related to the educational program for special needs students.  This position will be assigned to work primarily with elementary (K-2nd grade) students in a self-contained setting.  

The SPTA will be expected to adhere to Amplus Academy’s professional standards as well as Nevada Department of Education licensure standards.  Amplus Academy is a classical education charter school located in the southwest area of Las Vegas.  Amplus Academy has two campuses serving Kindergarten- 12th grade students.  

Terms of Employment: 10 month (179 Days) per Contract of Employment; 30 hours per week

Salary:  The compensation for this position is in alignment with the Amplus Governing Board approved Salary Schedule; Salary Schedule based on years’ experience and degree held. Compensation for all positions are determined by the Governing Board and Administration of Amplus Academy. Consideration is given for experience and specialized skills in determining salary.

Salary Range: $15- $26 per hour based on licensure

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervises the behavior of students in the classroom, on school grounds, and on educational trips.

Duties/Responsibilities:

•  The primary duty is tutoring, instructing, mentoring and/or lecturing to impart knowledge to special education students

•  Assists professional with special education students in general education, self-contained, or other identified classroom(s) in all phases of educational and therapy programs

• Assists teacher in correcting papers and presenting instructional materials

• Assists faculty and staff with student progress reports, testing, and/or student/parent concerns

• Assists students with personal care

• Assists professional in maintaining discipline and encouraging acceptable behavior

• Assists with supervision of playground activities 

• May assist students with the use and/or physical needs of prosthetic devices

• May assist with the loading and unloading of students transported by bus or vehicle

• May assist in feeding students by preparing, distributing, ordering, and administering snacks and special lunches

• May perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) when necessary

• Conforms to safety standards as prescribed

• Performs other tasks related to the position as assigned.  This list of duties/ responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Involves tasks directly associated with assisting professionals in the special education programs of a school, such as:

• Visually impaired 

• Hearing impaired 

• Adaptive physical education

• Medically fragile

• Severe/ profound

• Other vulnerable populations

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of CPR/AED and Universal Precautions

• Ability to work effectively with special needs students

• Ability to interpret and apply oral and written instructions

• Ability to perform several tasks and determine priorities

• Ability to deal with unusual behavior and crisis situations

• Ability to learn and apply school rules, regulations, and procedures

• Ability to complete routine records

• Ability to recognize and report hazards and apply safe work methods

• Ability to record progress and notate daily interactions as needed

• Possess physical and mental stamina commensurate with the responsibilities of the position

• Aversive intervention and other necessary trainings dependent on assignment

Qualifications, Education and Experience:

• High school graduation or other equivalent, (i.e., GED, college, technical, or trade school transcript, foreign equivalency, etc.)

• Associate’s degree or at least 60 college credits preferred 

• State of Nevada substitute teaching license preferred

• One (1) year experience working with special education students preferred

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that a person holding this position must perform in carrying out essential job functions.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential job duties.

• Must be able to traverse school facility and lead students to safety in the event of an emergency. 

• Sufficient vision to read printed material, see distance objects with clarity, identify and distinguish objects, and be visually observant of classroom behavior and learning activities.

• Sufficient hearing to hear conversations in person and on the telephone, hear sounds clearly up to 20 feet and be cognizant of verbal altercations in the classroom.

• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation and on the telephone, and in addressing groups.

• Ability to exert up to 25 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; ability to occasionally restrain or move up to 50-100 pounds if required to intervene during student safety issues.

• This type of work requires occasional or frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, or reaching for extended periods of time.

• This type of work requires occasional or frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling during crisis scenarios such as hard lockdowns, earthquake drills, etc.

• Sufficient manual dexterity and/or mobility to grasp and/or manipulate objects, operate mechanical equipment, and move about the work area.

• Ability to operate, activate and use a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and printer.

• Employees in this classification may be subject to work environments that have exposure to weather or interiors with extremes of heat and/or cold, wet and/or humid conditions, temperature fluctuations, high noise levels, and various work related hazards such as bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials.

Disclaimers:
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

Amplus Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.  Amplus Academy does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, disabilities, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran’s status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 Accommodations:

Individuals with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations in order to apply or maintain employment, should contact Amplus Academy’s  Department of Human Resources at 702-970-6800.