LEC/ATLAS: Special Education Assistant

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

LTD

PERA

403b

Sick leave

Personal days

Job summary

Brainerd Public Schools is seeking a LEC-ATLAS Educational Assistant to support students with special needs across classrooms and common areas. The role includes implementing IEPs, assisting in transportation, and promoting independence in daily living activities.

The position requires collaboration with teachers, adherence to school policies, and a commitment to confidentiality; 7.5-hour days during the school year with competitive hourly pay.

Qualifications

• Two-year associate degree or 60 college credits; para-pro/para e-link certification preferred.
• Handle with Care certification required within three months of hire.
• Experience with students with physical, cognitive and behavioral needs.
• Ability to become part of a collaborative school team and support IEP goals.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with IEP goals in classroom and various settings (resource room, inclusive settings, transportation).
• Provide specialized instruction/interventions as outlined in IEP.
• Collaborate with teachers and related service providers to ensure student safety and progress.
• Support student independence in daily living activities and community integration.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Flexibility

Confidentiality

Education

Two-year associate degree/60 credits/para-pro certification

Handle with Care certification (within 3 months)

Type 3 Driver certification

Job description

Position Title: LEC-ATLAS Educational Assistant - 3 Positions

Department/Building: Lincoln Education Center - Alternative Programing

Reports to: Building Principal - Amy Jordan

Assignment: 2026-2027 School Year - Ongoing

Hours: 7.5 per day, Monday through Friday during school year

Salary Range: $16.50 - $17.15 per hour (Based on education and experience; wages outlined in the Educational Assistants Labor Agreement located on district website)

Union: Ed MN

FLSA: Non-Exempt

BENEFITS:

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• LTD
• PERA
• 403b
• paid Sick/ESST & Personal

Brainerd Public Schools, where opportunity meets excellence! We are dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration. As an integral part of our community, we strive to empower educators, administrators, and staff to make a positive impact on the lives of our students. Our team is passionate about shaping the future of education in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Position Summary

The Special Education Paraprofessional will assist and carry out the goals, objectives and adaptations in the individual education plan of special needs students in various settings; classrooms, physical education, lunchroom, bus loading area, cafeteria and common spaces.

Essential Functions

• Carrying out the duties and responsibilities outlined in a student's individual education plan.
• Assist student(s) in individual and group settings whether in the resource room or inclusive educational setting. This could include in the community or volunteer setting.
• Provide specialized instruction/interventions/accommodations as outlined in the IEP.
• Team with the classroom teacher and/or special education teacher to deliver classroom instruction.
• Demonstrate and model appropriate developmental and behavioral skills through play or interaction with the child.
• Transport students to community job sites or local businesses in a Type 3 vehicle.
• Provide Job Coaching
• Assist the individual student in self-help and independent living skills this can include the following 1. Dressing and undressing, 2. Toileting which may include changing diapers, training pants, cleaning the child and implementing toilet training techniques, 3. Supervise and assist with eating skills, this could include but is not limited to adapted feeding utensils or feeding tube, 4. Supervise and assist child with an assistive device, this could include but is not limited to, any prosthetic device, brace, wheelchair, communicative or assistive technology device. 5. Support students in Developmentally Adaptive Phy Ed activities and Special Olympics events and activities.
• Supervise student(s) during lunch, time out situations, recess, field trips, and emergency situations or in temporary absence of the teacher due to emergency or restrictive procedure situation.
• Monitor classroom instruction for purpose of ensuring student progress and a safe learning environment.
• Bus duty that could involve riding the bus and following through with prescribed bus programs, meeting the bus, and reporting about student's bus behavior/needs to the case manager.
• Participate physically with the students in activities being taught.
• Collaborate with Special Education Teachers, Classroom teachers and related service providers to ensure student safety and success.
• Maintain confidentiality
• Develop effective working relationships with students.
• Support building and classroom discipline policy.
• Maintain good communication skills and a cooperative working environment with other school staff.
• Participate in assigned professional development.
• Maintain knowledge of building procedures manual and school district policies.
• Work cooperatively with the building administrator, accepting constructive feedback and direction.
• Address disagreements with fellow employees constructively and respectfully.
• Monitor student progress on assigned tasks.
• Follow school district policy in reporting suspected abuse/neglect.
• All other duties as identified by the team in the IEP process for individual situations.
• Other special education related duties as assigned by the proper administrative authority.

Qualifications

• Meet highly-qualified requirements for paraprofessional (two-year associate degree, 60 college credits, para-pro or para e-link certification)
• Experience working with students with physical, cognitive and behavioral needs
• Ability to become Handle with Care certificatied- required within three months of being hired and maintained during employment.
• Obtain Type 3 Driver certification and hold a valid driver's license.
• Must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills and be able to be a member of a team.
• Ability to be flexible based on program and student needs.
• Ability to assist students in individual or group settings whether in the resource room or inclusive education setting as well as in the community as a job coach.
• Ability to implement and follow through on specific therapies and programs for an individual as prescribed by the individual education plan. This could involve lifting, transferring, positioning, assisting with daily living activities such as toileting, feeding, and restrictive procedures when necessary.
• Ability to collect data on student progress as defined in the Individual Education Plan.
• Ability to remain calm and patient in volatile situations and react and respond quickly in a variety of situations.
• Ability to work under the supervision of a site principal and/or special education teacher.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at once while dealing with constant interruptions.
• Ability to work with students, families, professionals, and staff of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to interact with and maintain cooperative relationship with all levels of staff and the public.
• Must possess the ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Application Procedure

Employees of the Brainerd Public School District #181 are expected to support the goals of the district, model and promote an environment that is respectful for all, and work collaboratively with other staff to focus on the needs of the learner. A quality, customer focus that conveys a welcome attitude, adaptability to change, and a desire for continuous improvement is also expected of all employees. In addition, staff should respect confidential matters, encourage a safe and secure environment throughout the schools, and be dependable and accountable employees.