Special Education Assistant (Autism) (2026-2027) River Bend

Minneapolis Public Schools; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

HSA & FSA

Retirement plan

Job summary

Minneapolis Public Schools seeks a Special Education Assistant (Autism) for River Bend to support students with disabilities and implement individualized activities. The role works under supervision to help students meet therapy and education goals, with duties across classroom support, behavior reinforcement, and daily care.

The position requires education credits or ParaPro certification, experience with children, and willingness to work additional hours as bus aide in a dynamic school setting.

Qualifications

• Completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences or related area.
• Passing score of 460 or higher on the ParaPro Assessessment and high school diploma or GED.
• Two years of experience working with children.
• Additional education or training may substitute for experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to children with moderate to severe disabilities and assist staff to implement individualized lessons.
• Assist students in learning through reinforcement of positive behavior and effective communication.
• Monitor activities, promote respect, explain norms, and de-escalate conflicts.
• Maintain behavior documentation and files for IEPs and FBAs.
• Monitor work and transitions for medications, meals, buses and classes.
• Attend to daily hygiene and health-related cares; assist in community and school activities.
• May be required to work additional hours as bus aide.

Skills

Positive behavior reinforcement

Education

60 semester credits in Education or related field

ParaPro Certification or passed ParaPro Assessessment (460+)

Associate's degree preferred

Two years of experience with children

Job description

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Job Title: Special Education Assistant (Autism) (2026-2027) River Bend and Requisition ID number: 105031

Close Date: No established closing date; open until filled

Organizational Unit: River Bend (10000019)

FTE :78.13FTE; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time

Union: ESP(28)

Salary Range: $27.17 - $30.75

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• HSA & FSA
• Retirement plan

SY 2026-2027

Disability: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, provides 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; helps students to meet their therapy and education goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide support services to children with moderate to severe disabilities and Assist MPS staff to facilitate educational functions and other services that maintains a safe and productive learning environment, sensitive to the needs and legal rights of Special Education students; work with students to improve personal skills and reinforce classroom learning.
• Assist students in learning processes through reinforcement of positive behavior, individual instruction, socialization and good communications.
• Monitor student activities, promote respect, explain social norms and disciplinary consequences, de-escalate personal confrontations.
• Maintain 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).
• Monitor work, correct papers and transition students for medications, meals, buses and classes.
• Attend to and provide for students' daily hygiene, personal and health related cares, as directed by licensed staff. Assist students in community, recreational, school and vocational training. Provide assistance to students in classrooms and after-school programs.
• Encouraged to work additional hours as bus aide

CLASS DESIGNATIONS

Intervention SEA: Provide support in the least restrictive environment so students are successful in resource settings; ensure behavior support plans are being implemented with fidelity for students in special education resource settings. Personal transportation is required as position may vary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences or educational area related to position assignment

OR

• A passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro Assessessment AND either a high school diploma or a GED certificate (For more information on the ParaPro Assessment, contact Educational Testing Service at 1-800-772-9476 or www.ets.org/parapro)

AND

• Two years of experience working with children.Additional education or training may substitute for experience, at the discretion of Human Resources. Related experience may also be considered, at the discretion of Human Resources.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's degree in Education or a related field.
• Experience in working with individuals with disabilities

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

First Aid/CPR/AED, Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training, and Special Education Orientation is required within one year.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree, and working with special needs children. Must be able to frequently lift up to 50 pounds. Eligibility for position is based on passing the required pre-placement exam.

Final candidates may be invited to interview with a committee. Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.

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.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.

Posting Notes: | [No Established Closing Date] | River Bend (10000019) | Riverbend (0625) | Paraprofessional