Special Education Assistant - DCD

Brainerd Public Schools; Brainerd (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits including health, dental

Vision, PERA & 403b

Job summary

Brainerd Public Schools is seeking an Educational Assistant - DCD at Brainerd High School for the 2026-2027 school year. 8 hours per day, 173 duty days, with wages of $16.50–$17.15 per hour based on education and experience.

This non-exempt position includes full benefits and is part of the ED MN Educational Assistant bargaining unit. The paraprofessional will support students with IEP goals across classrooms and common spaces, collaborating with teachers and service providers to ensure safety

Qualifications

• Experience working with students with physical, cognitive and/or mild behavioral needs.
• Handle with Care training is required within three months of hire.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work as a team.
• Flexibility to adapt to program and student needs.
• Ability to assist students in individual or group settings in resource or inclusive education.
• Ability to implement therapies and follow IEP plans with required procedures.

Responsibilities

• Carry out duties in a student’s IEP.
• Assist students in individual and group settings in resource or inclusive environments.
• Provide interventions and accommodations per IEP.
• Collaborate with teachers to deliver instruction.
• Monitor progress and ensure a safe learning environment.
• Participate in professional development and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Special needs experience

Handle with Care

Strong communication

Team player

Flexibility

IEP data

Calm under pressure

Confidentiality

Job description

• Position Type:
  Support Staff/ Special Education Assistant
• Date Posted:
  9/1/2026
• Location:
  Brainerd High School
• Date Available:
  09/01/2026

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
Position Title:Educational Assistant - DCD
Location: Brainerd High School
Assignment: 2026-2027School Year - Ongoing
Hours: 8 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 Paraprofessionalwill 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:
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to:

• 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
• Developeffective working relationships with students.
• Support building and classroom discipline policy.
• Maintaingood communication skills and a cooperative working environment with other school staff.
• Participatein 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 employeesconstructively 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:

• 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.