Bear Adventure Club Special Education Paraprofessional

White Bear Lake Area Schools, ISD #624; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 30,307 - 34,440; Full time

Job summary

White Bear Lake Area Schools seeks caring paraprofessionals to support students with special needs in the Bear Adventure Club and FLEX programs. We create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where every child can learn, build friendships, participate in enriching activities, and have fun throughout the summer and the school year.

Ideal candidates are patient, dependable, and collaborative with supervisors, coworkers, and families, able to foster inclusive, supportive learning experiences

Qualifications

• Must hold AA/AS degree, completed 60 semester credits, approved competency portfolio or passing MN Parapro or Master Teacher test.
• Valid driver's license.
• Certified in First Aid/CPR upon hire.
• Training in Blood Borne Pathogens upon hire.
• Training in Crisis Prevention Intervention upon hire.
• Department of Human Services training upon hire.
• High school diploma or GED and moderate experience with children.
• Associates/Technical degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized and small-group support to students with special needs.
• Encourage independence while supporting social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental growth.
• Help students participate in games, crafts, outdoor play, and enrichment activities.
• Model positive behavior, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Partner with program staff to ensure a safe, engaging, and inclusive experience for every child.

Skills

Patience with children

Collaborative teamwork

Dependable and flexible

Strong communication

Education

AA/AS degree or 60 credits or portfolio

High school diploma or GED

Associates/Technical degree preferred

Tools

First Aid/CPR certification

Crisis Prevention Intervention training

Blood Borne Pathogens training

DHS training

Job description

Join the Bear Adventure Club Team at White Bear Lake Area Schools!

Do you have a passion for supporting children of all abilities? Are you patient, compassionate, and committed to helping every child feel successful, included, and valued? If so, we'd love to have you join our team!

White Bear Lake Area Schools is seeking caring, dependable, and enthusiastic Paraprofessionals to support students with special needs in our Bear Adventure Club and FLEX programs. Our staff create a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment where every child has the opportunity to learn, build friendships, participate in enriching activities, and have fun throughout the summer and school year.

Desired Attributes

• Enjoys working with school-age children of all abilities.
• Brings patience, empathy, and a positive attitude each day.
• Creates a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every child can thrive.
• Works collaboratively with supervisors, coworkers, and families.
• Is dependable, flexible, and passionate about making a meaningful difference in children's lives.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized and small‑group support to students with special needs throughout the program day.
• Encourage independence while supporting children's social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental growth.
• Help students participate successfully in games, crafts, outdoor play, and enrichment activities.
• Model positive behavior, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Partner with program staff to ensure a safe, engaging, and inclusive experience for every child.

Special Requirements

• Must hold AA/AS degree, completed 60 semester credits, approved competency portfolio or passing score on the MN Parapro or Master Teacher test.
• Valid driver's license.
• Certified in First Aid/CPR upon hire.
• Training in Blood Borne Pathogens upon hire.
• Training in Crisis Prevention Intervention upon hire.
• Department of Human Services training upon hire.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED and moderate experience working with children.
• Associates/Technical degree preferred.

Student Level

Elementary

Start Date & Schedule

We're hiring now for positions beginning Summer 2026, with opportunities to continue throughout the 20262027 school year, Summer 2027, and beyond. Bear Adventure Club operates at all nine White Bear Lake elementary schools. Programs run weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer and before and after school during the school year.

Salary Range

Level III, Step 2 per Para Educator Agreement: $22.91 per hour (current hourly para rate of pay if employed with ISD 624). Contract currently under negotiation.

Closing Date

Candidates will be reviewed upon submission with selection starting no sooner than five days following the posting. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found.

Application Procedure

Apply Online: email [e-mail] (please include job number in inquiry). Website URL: http://www.isd624.org

Equal Opportunity Employer

The White Bear Lake Area School District is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. We welcome all qualified individuals to apply.