Special Education Assistant - Candidate Pool (2026-2027) Transition Plus

Minneapolis Public Schools; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 60,829,000 - 68,837,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

HSA & FSA

Retirement plan

Job summary

Minneapolis Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Assistant to join the Candidate Pool for 2026-2027 Transition Plus. The role supports students with disabilities under supervision, helping implement individualized lessons and goals.

Requires education credits, ParaPro, and relevant experience; includes responsibilities such as behavior support, documentation, and coordination with staff. Open until filled with a 31.25-hour week schedule.

Qualifications

• Two years of professional experience working with children.
• Associate degree or higher or completion of 90 quarter/60 semester credits.
• ParaPro Assessment score 460 or higher and high school diploma or GED.
• First Aid/CPR/AED, CPI training, and Special Education Orientation within one year.

Responsibilities

• Provide support services to children with disabilities and assist staff with lessons and activities.
• Assist with positive behavior reinforcement, instruction, socialization and communication.
• Maintain behavior documentation and IEP/FBA related records.
• Support transitions for medications, meals, buses and classes.

Skills

Experience with children

Education

Associate degree or higher in Education or related area

90 quarter or 60 semester credits

ParaPro Assessment score 460 (or higher)

Two years of professional experience with children

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Below is specific information for you to consider about this position.

Job Title:Special Education Assistant - Candidate Pool (2026-2027) Transition Plus and Requisition ID number:104301

Close Date:No established closing date; open until filled

Organizational Unit:Transition Plus (10000102)

FTE:78.13 FTE - 31.25 hrs/week (41 weeks); 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

Resume and Cover Letter are mandatory to apply for any position.

CANDIDATE POOL - SEA SY 2026-2027

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.

DISABILITY FOCUS AREAS:

ASD, DCD, EBD, POHI, Vision, 1x1

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.

CLASS DESIGNATIONS

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education, Training, and Experience

One of the following:

• Associate’s degree or higher in Education or closely related area
• Completed 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits from an accredited institution
• A passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro Assessment 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 (2) years of professional experience working with children.

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.