Special Education Assistant

Brainerd Public Schools; Brainerd (MN); On-site; USD 22,041 - 23,419; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid sick leave

Personal leave

PERA & 403b

Job summary

Brainerd Public Schools in Brainerd, MN is seeking an Educational Assistant to support students under the IEP at Brainerd High School. The role runs 7.5 hours per day across 173 duty days in the 2025-2026 school year, with compensation based on education and experience.

The paraprofessional will implement IEP goals, assist in multiple settings, and collaborate with teachers to ensure student progress and safety. This is a non-exempt position with full district benefits.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to adapt to program and student needs and collaborate with staff.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Carry out duties outlined in a student’s IEP across classrooms, gym, lunchroom, bus loading area and common spaces.
• Assist students individually or in groups, in resource or inclusive settings.
• Provide interventions and accommodations as outlined in the IEP.
• Collaborate with teachers and related staff to deliver instruction and monitor progress.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional relationships with students and staff.
• Participate in professional development and follow district policies.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Flexibility

Collaboration

Education

Associate degree or 60 college credits

Job description

Assignment Details

Position Title: Educational Assistant
Location: Brainerd High School
Assignment: 2025-2026 School Year - Ongoing
Hours: 7.5 hours per day
Duty Days: 173 duty days per school year
Compensation: $16.50-$17.15 per hour (Based on education and experience; wages outlined in Education Assistant contract located on district website)
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Full Benefits including paid sick/ESST and personal leave, health, dental, vision, PERA & 403b
Union: ED MN - Educational Assistant

Job 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.
• 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.
• 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/or mild behavioral needs.
• Handle with Care Training - certification required within three months of being hired and maintained during employment.
• 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

Apply online: www.isd181.org. Please include post-secondary transcripts with application materials.