Educational Assistant - Special Education

Brainerd Public Schools; Nisswa (MN); On-site; USD 22,041 - 24,796; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

LTD

403b retirement plan

Paid sick leave

Personal leave

Job summary

Brainerd Public Schools is seeking a caring Special Education Paraprofessional to support kindergarten through fifth grade students at Nisswa Elementary School.

The role assists licensed teachers and health personnel to help students access instruction, communicate, and participate in school activities, with potential responsibilities including AAC devices, transfers, mobility, toileting and personal care after required training.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent; meet Mn Department of Education paraprofessional requirements.
• Experience: Prefer elementary or students receiving special education services.
• Special Skills: Follow IEPs, health procedures and staff directions; build positive relationships.

Responsibilities

• Implement portions of student IEPs, behavior plans, communication and health plans under licensed staff.
• Support instruction, interventions, accommodations and modifications.
• Assist students individually and in small groups across settings.
• Support access to classroom instruction, lunch, recess, transportation and activities.
• Learn and use AAC devices, visual supports and assistive technology.
• Perform required district training in positive behavioral supports and safe procedures.

Skills

Collaborative work

Follow IEPs

Health procedures

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Paraprofessional pathway / 60 credits / associated degree

Job description

Educational Assistant - Special Education JobID: 1399

• Position Type: Support Staff/ Special Education Assistant
• Date Posted: 7/17/2026
• Date Available: 09/01/2026

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

Position Title: Educational Assistant - Special Ed

Department/Building: Nisswa Elementary School

Reports to: Building Principal - Molly Raske

Assignment: 2026-2027 School Year - Ongoing

Hours: 8 per day, Monday through Friday (173 Duty Days)

Salary Range: $16.50 - $18.40 per hour (Based on education and experience; wages outlined in the Educational Assistants Contract located on district website)

Union: Ed MN

FLSA: Overtime Exempt

BENEFITS

Health, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, MN Public Employees Retirement, 403b and Paid Sick/ESST & Personal

APPLY ONLINE

www.isd181.org JobID 1399 (Please include copies of your transcripts with your application materials)

JOB SUMMARY

Nisswa Elementary School is seeking a caring, dependable and collaborative Special Education Paraprofessional to support students in kindergarten through grade five. The paraprofessional works under the ongoing direction of licensed teachers and, when appropriate, licensed school health personnel. The position supports students in accessing instruction, communicating, participating safely in school activities and developing academic, behavioral, social, physical and independent living skills. Assignments may include individual, small group or shared support in special education classrooms, general education classrooms and other school settings. Assignments may change based on student IEPs, enrollment and program needs. The successful candidate must be willing and able to support students with an augmentative and alternative communication device, physical transfers, mobility, toileting, personal care, behavior support and emergency response after receiving required training.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Implement assigned portions of student IEPs, behavior plans, communication plans, health plans and safety procedures under the direction of licensed staff.
• Support and reinforce instruction, interventions, accommodations and modifications developed by licensed teachers and related service providers.
• Assist students individually and in small groups across special education and general education settings.
• Support student access to classroom instruction, specialist classes, lunch, recess, transportation, assemblies, field trips and other school activities.
• Build positive relationships with students and promote independence, communication, dignity, peer relationships and meaningful participation.
• Learn and consistently support the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices, visual supports and assistive technology.
• Assist students with toileting, diapering, hygiene, dressing, feeding and other personal care needs when assigned.
• Assist with transfers, positioning, mobility, adaptive equipment and emergency evacuation after receiving required training.
• Follow student specific procedures related to communication, health, feeding, mobility, personal care and safety.
• Perform health related procedures only when trained, assigned and supervised by appropriate licensed health personnel.
• Implement positive behavioral supports, regulation strategies and behavior plans under the direction of licensed staff.
• Provide active supervision and respond promptly to student instructional, behavioral, health and safety needs.
• Collect and record student data accurately and communicate relevant observations to licensed staff.
• Assist with arrival, dismissal, bus loading, unloading or transportation responsibilities when assigned.
• Complete required district training in positive behavioral supports, crisis prevention, de escalation, safe transfers, emergency response and restrictive procedures.
• When trained, assigned and legally authorized, participate in district approved physical interventions or holds only during an emergency when necessary to protect a student or another person from physical injury.
• Maintain student and family confidentiality and follow mandated reporting requirements.
• Work cooperatively with teachers, case managers, related service providers, school health personnel, paraprofessionals, the site administrator and other district staff.
• Accept and apply coaching, feedback and direction from licensed staff and the site administrator.
• Maintain dependable attendance, punctuality, flexibility, professionalism and respectful communication.
• Attend required meetings, orientation, training and professional development.
• Perform other special education related duties consistent with the position and assigned by the proper administrative authority.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITION

Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Must meet Minnesota Department of Education personnel qualification requirements for special education paraprofessionals through an approved pathway. Qualifying pathways may include an associate degree or higher, at least 60 college credits, a passing score on an approved paraprofessional assessment or another approved competency pathway accepted by Brainerd Public Schools.

Experience: Experience working with elementary students or students receiving special education services is preferred. Experience supporting students with communication, behavioral, physical, mobility, sensory, academic or adaptive needs is beneficial.

Special Skills: Ability to work collaboratively under the ongoing direction of licensed teachers and, when appropriate, licensed school health personnel. Ability to follow student IEPs, behavior plans, communication plans, health and safety procedures and staff direction accurately and consistently. Must be caring, dependable, flexible and able to build positive relationships with students in kindergarten through grade five.

WILLINGNESS AND ABILITY

• Support students individually and in groups throughout the school day.
• Learn and use communication devices, visual supports and assistive technology.
• Assist with toileting, personal care, feeding, mobility, positioning and physical transfers when assigned and after receiving required training.
• Implement positive behavioral supports and collect student data as directed by licensed staff.
• Complete all required district training, including crisis prevention, de escalation, safe transfers and emergency response.
• When trained, assigned and legally authorized, assist with district approved emergency physical interventions to protect student and staff safety.
• Remain calm, patient and responsive during changing or challenging situations.
• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, dependable attendance and respectful communication.
• Perform the essential functions of the position, including student supervision, personal care, transfers, mobility assistance and safety responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with students in kindergarten through grade five or students receiving special education services.
• Experience with AAC devices, assistive technology, personal care, safe transfers, positive behavioral supports or student data collection.
• Strong communication, teamwork, flexibility and problem solving skills.
• Current district approved crisis prevention and response certification or willingness to complete required training.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Depending on the assignment, the employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, move between floor and standing positions and assist with student personal care, positioning, mobility, transfers, adaptive equipment and emergency evacuation. The employee may participate in indoor and outdoor activities and may be exposed to bodily fluids while completing assigned personal care responsibilities. Required health, infection control and safety procedures must be followed. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

OTHER POSITION INFORMATION OR REQUIREMENTS

This position is expected to support a kindergarten student who requires assistance accessing instruction and the school environment. Responsibilities may include AAC device support, physical transfers, mobility, personal care, safety and participation across educational settings. This assignment could change based on the needs of the students and skillset of the entire team. The employee must be willing and able to complete required training and provide assigned supports under the direction of licensed staff and in accordance with the student's IEP. The paraprofessional supports and reinforces instruction developed by licensed staff and does not independently design specially designed instruction, change an IEP, determine placement, conduct evaluations or independently communicate official programming decisions to families. Employment is contingent upon verification of required qualifications, satisfactory professional references, completion of legally required background checks and fulfillment of Brainerd Public Schools employment requirements.

ABOUT NISSWA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Nisswa Elementary School is a preschool through grade five learning community within Brainerd Public Schools. Our staff work together to ensure every student is known, valued, supported and challenged to grow. This is a collaborative school where relationships, teamwork, high expectations and student dignity guide our work each day.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

www.isd181.org JobID 1399 (Please include copies of your transcripts with your application materials)

Brainerd Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer.