Requirements
As a Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistant), you have the rewarding opportunity to connect with students with special needs in a positive way, engage with them and help them to promote their academic, daily living skills, social and emotional potential.
Interested candidates with a high school diploma are encouraged to apply. The opportunity for CIU20 assessment to become highly qualified is available at no cost to applicants. See below for more information.*
Ideal Candidates shall:
Work collaboratively in a team environment.
Demonstrate excellent interpersonal collaborative skills, demonstrated by patience and understanding to effectively work with staff and students
Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills
Complete and maintain student and classroom records with tasks with attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to maintain complete confidentiality.
Demonstrate basic computer skills to complete tasks related to medical billing, email, web-based education software, and virtual meeting environments; experience with Google Suite is beneficial.
Respond positively to supervision and suggestions for improvement.
Physical
Ability to stand, bend, stoop, sit, lift, reach, and communicate to effectively carry out functions, duties, and responsibilities.
Ability to physically lift up to 40 lbs. without assistance and/or assists any student as required by students’ physical needs.
Ability to conduct a safety restraint protocol following appropriate training and certification
Ability to assist students with self-help skills, feeding, and personal hygiene needs
Successful Paraprofessionals (Teacher Assistants) come from a variety of diverse backgrounds. If you’ve ever worked in any of the following fields, you’d be a great fit for our team: teacher, paraeducator, teaching assistant, teaching aide, tutor, special education, working with individuals with special needs and/or disabilities, preschool worker, daycare provider, medical assistant, CNA (Certified Nurse’s Aide), residential treatment facility worker, rehabilitation and transition / vocational rehabilitation (OVR) services, job coaching, mentoring, mental health services, behavioral health services, probation services, youth coaching, children and youth services, case management, and/or other similar professional childcare experience.
- The education qualification for a Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistant), position is a high school diploma with a passing acceptable IU 20 assessment to become highly qualified. Individuals who do not have two years of college or 48 college credits may become highly qualified by taking our local assessment. Assessments may be scheduled by calling the Office of the Director of Special Education (610) 515-6449. A preparation booklet is available to help you review the content of the assessment and prepare for the test. Click here to access the booklet. We encourage you to take the test to become highly qualified when you apply. Our applicants have had great success in passing this assessment through a review of the booklet and content.
Description
ANTICIPATED OPENING - 1:1 Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistant) needed to meet the individual needs of a student with special needs in the Emotional Support program.
You will assist in planning special activities and events to make learning engaging for students. You will work with the teacher to accomplish the objectives and goals of the curriculum. In doing so, you will have the opportunity to engage your creative abilities assisting the team with developing activities that provide students with unique and individualized learning activities that promote their interests, needs, and individual development goals in a safe and positive environment.
Starting annual salary:
$25,672.00 – High School Diploma with Highly Qualified Distinction
$27,263.00 – Associate’s Degree or attained 48 college credits
$29,915.00 – Bachelor’s Degree
The salary schedule represents a 188-day work year. New employees who begin after the first day of the school year will have their salary prorated to the number of workdays remaining in the school year. 10-month classroom staff is paid over a 12-month time period.
See link for job description.
Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, Retirement Benefits, Wellness Program, and Paid Time Off available to full-time staff. Summary of benefits can be found via this link
Application Procedure
Your online application material will be screened and reviewed by the program administrator. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by the administrator regarding the interview date and time. Please be certain to fill out all areas as requested in the resume section.
Current CIU20 Employees interested in applying for this position may apply via the Applicant Portal or submit a letter of interest within 5 days of the posting to the Human Resources Department:
Recruitment Office
Human Resources and Research Services
Colonial Intermediate Unit 20
6 Danforth Drive
Easton, PA 18045-7899 FAX (610) 515-6407
Selected candidates for IU20 positions will be required to produce state mandated background clearances and fraud checks as part of the employment onboarding process. All recommendations for hire shall be contingent upon receipt of acceptable clearances and fraud checks. The clearances and checks will be treated confidentially.
EOE
Summary Information:
Job Title Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistant)
Vacancy # 2026-344
Position # ES 20 ASSOCTCHR1:1NP
# of Openings 1
Category Paraprofessional
Employment Full-time 10 Months
Salary See Description Section
Calendar Days Full-time 10 mo. 188 work days
Published Date 01/22/2026
Target Fill Date N/A
Closing Date N/A
Location Middle Smithfield Elementary
East Stroudsburg Area School District
East Stroudsburg, PA
Experience 0-2 years
Degrees / Certificates High School Diploma
