Special Education Assistant (Program) [DCD] - (2026-2027) Hmong International Academy Elementary

Minneapolis Public Schools; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 42,000; 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 support students with disabilities at Hmong International Academy Elementary. The role focuses on individualizing lessons, promoting inclusion, and helping students achieve IEP goals.

Duties include assisting with classroom activities, behavior support, data collection, daily care, and communication with families. A high school diploma or GED and related experience are required; bilingual skills are valued given the site

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Two years paid experience working with children.
• Passing score of 460 on the ParaPro Assessment.
• Equivalent education/training as determined by HR.

Responsibilities

• Provides support services to children with disabilities enrolled in MPS.
• Assists staff to facilitate educational functions and maintain a safe learning environment.
• Assists students in learning processes and reinforces behavior plans.
• Monitors student activities and records progress data.
• Maintains confidentiality and communicates with families as needed.

Skills

High school diploma or GED

Two years experience with children

Education

ParaPro Assessment

60 semester credits / 90 quarter credits in Education/Child Development or related field

Job description

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Job Title:Special Education Assistant (Program) [DCD] - (2026-2027) Hmong International Academy Elementary and Requisition ID number:104979

Close Date:No established closing date; open until filled

Organizational Unit:Hmong International Academy Elementary (10000550)

Site:Hmong International Academy (0291)

FTE78.75 FTE; 31.5 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.

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SUMMARY

Responsible for providing 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; promotes student independence, academic and social inclusion, as well as self-advocacy skills; helps students to meet their therapy and education goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides support services to children with moderate to severe disabilities enrolled in MPS; performs duties within scope of authority and training, and in compliance with MPS policies, quality standards, and the Standards of Effective Instructional Support for Educational Assistants; duties may vary according to job assignment.
• Assists MPS staff to facilitate educational functions and other services to maintain a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment in the Least Restrictive Environment possible, that is also sensitive to the individual needs and legal rights of Special Education students; works with students to improve personal skills and reinforce classroom learning.
• Assists students in learning processes; applies Prevent, Teach, Reinforce Behavior Intervention Plans, reinforces positive behavior, provides individual instruction, encourages opportunities for peer socialization.
• Monitors student activities, promotes respect, explains social norms and disciplinary consequences, de-escalates personal confrontations, and enforces District policies and rules of conduct.
• Monitors assigned students and records data for academic and behavioral assessments; maintains files, and keeps records of student progress and activities.
• Maintains 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).
• Monitors work, corrects papers and transitions students for medications, meals, buses and classes.
• Attends to and provides for students’ daily hygiene, personal and health related cares, as directed by licensed staff.
• Promotes student independence in community, recreational, school and leisure activities, and vocational training.
• Reports learning problems, behavioral issues, and other concerns to supervisor or Principal.
• Prepares the classroom environment and material to be utilized by students; provides assistance with students in classrooms, special projects, and after-school programs.
• Provides customer service to parents and guardians, answers questions, and explains school rules.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.

CLASS DESIGNATIONS

Bilingual: Interpret and translate all information relating to the educational programming for students who have both Special Education and English Language Learner needs. Requires oral and written fluency in English and a second language and bicultural background. Work in conjunction with Special Education and regular education teachers.

• Special Education – Amharic
• Special Education – Cambodian
• Special Education – Hmong
• Special Education – Liberian
• Special Education – Oromo
• Special Education - Somali
• Special Education – Spanish
• Special Education – Tibetan
• Special Education - Vietnamese

Intervention SEA

Provides support in the least restrictive environment so that students can be successful in resource settings; ensures that Prevent, Teach, Reinforce 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.

SEA Cadre

Serve as a reserve/substitute Special Education Assistant. Employees in this unique group will be assigned on an emergency basis to support schools/programs in high need situations across disability areas. Personal transportation is required as position may move from site to site.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To successfully perform job, incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed are representative of the knowledge and skills.

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

• High School Diploma/GED; AND
• Monitors completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences or educational area related to position assignment; OR
• Passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro Assessment; AND
• Two (2) years of paid experience working with children; OR
• Equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

Knowledge of:

• Classroom policies, procedures and processes.
• Methods and techniques to assist students in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Methods and techniques for working with students with disabilities and special needs.
• Local community resources and regional community services programs.
• Basic principles of record keeping and records management.
• Computers utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Safety rules and regulations

Skill in

• Monitoring and improving student behavior and learning skills.
• Assisting children and special needs students and assessing educational needs.
• Maintaining composure and working effectively under classroom conditions.
• Reacting appropriately to situations that could create personal stress and safety problems.
• Communicating effectively with children.
• Following verbal and written instructions.
• Working collaboratively with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Communicating effectively in verbal and written forms.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Minnesota State Driver’s License may be required.
• Special Education Assistant Onboarding Training is required within sixty (60) days of date of employment.
• First Aid/CPR/AED, de-escalation and crisis response training, and Special Education Orientation is required within one (1) year of date of employment based on assignment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in a classroom environment, with moderate physical requirements; requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. 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.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

• Bargaining Unit: Educational Support Specialists
• Grade: Group C
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Job Group: Student Support
• Revised: September 9, 202

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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.