Special Education Assistant (Program) (2026-2027) Andersen

Minneapolis Public Schools; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; 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 seeks a Special Education Assistant (Program) for the 2026-2027 Andersen position. This role supports students with moderate to severe disabilities, assists staff, and helps maintain a safe, respectful learning environment.

Strong emphasis on behavior support, documentation, and collaboration with IEP and related services is essential. The position requires an applicable education credential and experience with diverse learners, with a full set of school-based

Qualifications

• Two years of professional experience working with children.
• Associate’s degree or higher in Education or a closely related area.
• Passing ParaPro score (460+) with high school diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Provide support services to children with disabilities and assist staff to maintain a safe and productive learning environment.
• Help students in learning through positive behavior reinforcement, individual instruction, and socialization.
• Monitor student activities, explain norms, de-escalate conflicts, and document observations for IEPs and FBA.
• Monitor work, correct papers, and assist with transitions for meals, buses and classes.
• Attend to daily hygiene and health needs, assist in community, recreational, school and vocational activities.
• Provide classroom and after-school program assistance to students.

Skills

Experience with children

Education

Assoc. degree or higher in Education

90 quarter/60 semester credits

ParaPro score 460 + high school diploma

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 (Program) (2026-2027) Andersen and Requisition ID number:105166

Close Date:No established closing date; open until filled

Organizational Unit:Andersen Middle (10000185)

FTE:.7875 FTE; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time

Union:ESP(28)

Salary Range:$26.37 -$29.85

Benefits:

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

SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTANT (Program)

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.