Special Education Assistant (Program) [DCD-MM] - (2025-2026) Dowling

Minneapolis Public Schools; Dowling; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Dowling seeks a Special Education Assistant to support students with disabilities in a safe and inclusive learning environment. The ideal candidate should possess a high school diploma and experience with special needs children. Responsibilities include aiding in academic and social endeavors, maintaining documentation, and promoting student independence. This position offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

HSA & FSA

Retirement plan

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Experience working with children is essential.
• Knowledge of special needs education practices is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide support services to children with disabilities.
• Assist students in learning processes and skills.
• Maintain records of student progress and behavior.

Skills

Monitoring and improving student behavior

Assisting children with special needs

Effective communication with children

Working collaboratively

Education

High School Diploma/GED

90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in Education or Child Development

Passing score on ParaPro Assessment

Job description

Job Title: Special Education Assistant (Program) [DCD-MM] - (2025-2026) Dowling and Requisition ID number: 103731

Close Date: 11:59 PM on 05/14/2025

Organizational Unit: Dowling Elementary (10000020)

Site: Dowling (0180)

FTE: 78.75 FTE; 31.5 hrs/week; 41 weeks; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time

Union: ESP(28)

Salary Range: $26.37 -$29.85

Benefits: Dental insurance | Health insurance | Vision insurance | Paid time off | HSA & FSA | Retirement plan

SUMMARY

Responsible for providing a variety of services to assist students with special needs in a learning environment; assists MPS staff to develop and implement appropriate individualization lessons and activities for students with disabilities; promotes student independence, academic and social inclusion, as well as self-advocacy skills; helps students to meet their therapy and education goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides support services to children with moderate to severe disabilities enrolled in MPS; performs duties within scope of authority and training, and in compliance with MPS policies, quality standards, and the Standards of Effective Instructional Support for Educational Assistants; duties may vary according to job assignment.
• Assists MPS staff to facilitate educational functions and other services to maintain a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment in the Least Restrictive Environment possible, that is also sensitive to the individual needs and legal rights of Special Education students; works with students to improve personal skills and reinforce classroom learning.
• Assists students in learning processes; applies Prevent, Teach, Reinforce Behavior Intervention Plans, reinforces positive behavior, provides individual instruction, encourages opportunities for peer socialization.
• Monitors student activities, promotes respect, explains social norms and disciplinary consequences, de-escalates personal confrontations, and enforces District policies and rules of conduct.
• Monitors assigned students and records data for academic and behavioral assessments; maintains files, and keeps records of student progress and activities.
• Maintains behavior documentation, written observations and anecdotal information files for Support and Advocacy for Independent Living Program (SAIL), Individualized Education Program (IEP), and Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA).
• Monitors work, corrects papers and transitions students for medications, meals, buses and classes.
• Attends to and provides for students’ daily hygiene, personal and health related cares, as directed by licensed staff.
• Promotes student independence in community, recreational, school and leisure activities, and vocational training.
• Reports learning problems, behavioral issues, and other concerns to supervisor or Principal.
• Prepares the classroom environment and material to be utilized by students; provides assistance with students in classrooms, special projects, and after-school programs.
• Provides customer service to parents and guardians, answers questions, and explains school rules.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To successfully perform job, incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed are representative of the knowledge and skills.

• High School Diploma/GED; AND
• Monitors completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences or educational area related to position assignment; OR
• Passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro Assessment; AND
• Two (2) years of paid experience working with children; OR
• Equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

Knowledge of:

• Classroom policies, procedures and processes.
• Methods and techniques to assist students in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Methods and techniques for working with students with disabilities and special needs.
• Local community resources and regional community services programs.
• Basic principles of record keeping and records management.
• Computers utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Safety rules and regulations

Skill in:

• Monitoring and improving student behavior and learning skills.
• Assisting children and special needs students and assessing educational needs.
• Maintaining composure and working effectively under classroom conditions.
• Reacting appropriately to situations that could create personal stress and safety problems.
• Communicating effectively with children.
• Following verbal and written instructions.
• Working collaboratively with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Communicating effectively in verbal and written forms.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

• Minnesota State Driver’s License may be required.
• Special Education Assistant Onboarding Training is required within sixty (60) days of date of employment.
• First Aid/CPR/AED, de-escalation and crisis response training, and Special Education Orientation is required within one (1) year of date of employment based on assignment.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Diversity is one of Minneapolis Public Schools core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first and making them college-ready. Diversity of our workforce provides us with a competitive advantage and allows us to better understand, communicate with and educate our diverse student body. Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status.