Special Education Assistant (Program) - Green Central (2026-27)

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 (Program) at Green Central Elementary for the 2026-27 school year. The role supports students with disabilities, assists with IEP goals, and helps create individualized lessons under supervision.

Qualified candidates have 60 semester hours or 90 quarter credits in Education or a related field, or a ParaPro score of 460+, plus two years of experience with children. First Aid/CPR/CPI training within one year is required.

Qualifications

• Completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences or educational area related to position assignment.
• Passing ParaPro score of 460+ with high school diploma or GED.
• Two years of experience working with children; additional education may substitute.

Responsibilities

• Provide support services to children with disabilities and assist staff to facilitate educational functions and safe learning environments.
• Assist students in learning processes through reinforcement of positive behavior and individual instruction.
• Monitor student activities, explain norms and disciplinary consequences, and de-escalate confrontations.
• Maintain behavior documentation and anecdotal files for IEP, FBA, and related assessments.
• Monitor transitions for medications, meals, buses and classes.
• Attend to daily hygiene and health-related cares as directed by licensed staff; support extracurricular activities.
• Encouraged to work additional hours as bus aide.

Skills

Behavior support

Communication

De-escalation

Student assistance

Education

60 semester hours in Education/related field

ParaPro score 460+ with HS diploma/GED

Two years experience with children

Associate's degree preferred

Job description

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Job Title:Special Education Assistant (Program) - Green Central (2026-27) and Requisition ID number:105118

Close Date:No established closing date; open until filled

Organizational Unit:Green Central Elementary (10000088)

Site:Green Central (0256)

FTE:78.75 FTE; 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

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

ResourceSEAProvide 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.

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

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.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.

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.