The Stepping Stones Group
Make a Difference Every Day
Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!
School-Based Personal Care Assistant (PCA) | Full-Time | K-12 Special Education | Anticipated Openings
About the Opportunity
Are you passionate about supporting students and helping them take part fully in the school day? The Stepping Stones Group is seeking dedicated Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) to join our team for the 2026-2027 school year. This is more than a job. It's a chance to provide the individualized support students need to stay safe, build confidence, and join in school activities.
We are building a pool of qualified candidates for anticipated full-time openings. Start dates are tentative and depend on district needs, so we'll confirm timing with you before any assignment begins.
You'll work closely with teachers, special education staff, and school teams to support students who need personal care, behavioral, academic, or emotional support. Assignments may be 1:1, 2:1, or classroom support.
- Pay: $20-$21 per hour
- Schedule: Monday-Friday, full-time, 32.5 hours per week (6.5 hours per day plus a 30-minute unpaid break), within a 7:15 AM-3:30 PM window, no evenings or overnights
- Setting: Onsite, K-12, 1:1, 2:1, and classroom support in general education and special education settings
- Sites: Possible support at 1-3 school sites
- Start date: Tentative, expected in late fall 2026, through the end of the 2026-27 school year (early June)
- Employment type:
What You'll Do
- Provide 1:1 or 2:1 student support throughout the school day, and support the classroom as needed
- Assist with personal care and activities of daily living (ADLs), including feeding, toileting, diapering, and mobility assistance
- Provide behavioral support and intervention using positive reinforcement and safety procedures
- Provide emotional support and general academic support, including help with assignments
- Collect and document data as directed by the teacher and school team
- Support student participation in classroom instruction and school activities
- Assist students during arrival, dismissal, transitions, lunch, and recess as assigned
- Follow IEP accommodations, care plans, and behavior plans as directed
- Monitor student safety and well-being throughout the school day
- Work as part of a team, and work independently when needed
- Collaborate with teachers, therapists, and special education staff
- Maintain accurate documentation, and protect student confidentiality and dignity
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- At least 1 year of experience working with children with developmental disabilities or autism
- Basic data collection skills
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team setting and to work independently as needed
- Physical ability to keep up with younger children
- Comfort with and ability to provide personal care, including toileting and diapering
- Reliable transportation
- Flexibility about start date, since timing is tentative
- Ability to follow health, safety, and student support procedures
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Authorization to work in the United States; English proficiency
You'll Thrive in This Role If You Are Open To:
- Working with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emotional disturbance (ED), other health impairments (OHI), and significant behavioral needs
- Working with medically fragile students
- Providing personal care with patience, respect, and professionalism
- Working with students of all ages and all caseloads
- Working in both general education and special education settings
- Adjusting your caseload or school site (1-3 sites) based on district needs
- Working fully onsite and in person
Preferred Qualifications
- School-based experience
- Experience as a paraprofessional, instructional aide, behavior technician, CNA, home health aide, or direct support professional (DSP)
- Experience with personal care, ADL support, lifting, and transfers
- Experience supporting students with intellectual disabilities or complex medical needs
- CPR and First Aid certification
- CPI, Safety-Care, or other crisis prevention and de-escalation training
- Associate's degree or coursework in education, healthcare, psychology, human services, child development, or a related field
Related Experience We Value
Experience as a Personal Care Assistant (PCA), Personal Care Aide, Paraprofessional, Instructional Aide, Educational Assistant, School Aide, Student Support Assistant, Special Education Assistant, Behavior Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Home Health Aide, Caregiver, or Direct Support Professional (DSP) is highly valued.
Why Candidates Choose This Role
- Make a direct, daily difference in students' comfort, safety, and participation
- Gain hands-on experience in autism and special education support
- Build experience for careers in education, psychology, healthcare, nursing, social work, ABA, speech therapy, and occupational therapy
- Follow a predictable school schedule, with weekends, evenings, and holidays typically off
- Work alongside teachers, therapists, and school professionals
Why You'll Love Working With Us
- Competitive pay of $20-$21 per hour
- Health and wellness benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees
- 401(k) retirement plan for eligible employees
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Continuing education resources
- Employee referral bonus program
- Responsive and supportive leadership
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement
- Meaningful work that directly impacts students and communities
Physical Requirements
- Ability to remain active throughout the school day and keep up with younger children, including frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and repositioning
- Ability to lift, transfer, reposition, or physically assist students safely
- Ability to assist with feeding, toileting, and diapering
- Ability to respond quickly to health, safety, and behavioral situations
- Additional requirements may vary by assignment
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?
Successful Personal Care Assistants are compassionate, dependable, patient, and attentive to student needs. They build trusting relationships with students and school teams, provide respectful and consistent personal care, keep students safe, promote independence and inclusion, and help students take part in academic, social, and school activities throughout the day.
About The Stepping Stones Group
We believe every child deserves exceptional support for their academic, behavioral, physical, and social-emotional growth. We partner with schools across the country to provide high-quality services that help students access educational opportunities and achieve meaningful success, and we give our team members the support, training, and resources to thrive.
Ready to make an impact? Apply today. Please share your experience with children with developmental disabilities or autism, and confirm your reliable transportation and flexibility with start dates when you apply. Selected candidates will complete a virtual interview with the school district.