Special Education Assistant (self-contained Autism Spectrum Disorder classroom)

Anova Education; Minnesota; On-site; USD 22,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Brainerd Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Assistant (K-4) at Garfield Elementary to support students with IEP goals in classrooms, lunchroom, bus loading area, and other spaces.

The role includes assisting in resource and inclusive settings, implementing IEP interventions, supervising meals and field trips, and collaborating with teachers to monitor progress while maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Two-year associate degree or 60 college credits required.
• ParaPro or Para e-link certification preferred.
• Experience with students with physical, cognitive and mild behavioral needs.

Responsibilities

• Carry out duties in students' IEPs and support plans.
• Assist in resource and inclusive settings and community activities.
• Provide targeted interventions and accommodations per IEP.
• Collaborate with teachers to deliver instruction and monitor progress.
• Supervise during lunch, field trips, and bus routines; ensure safety.
• Maintain confidentiality and communicate effectively with staff.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Flexibility

Data collection

Confidentiality

Patience under pressure

Education

Associate degree (2yr)

60 college credits

ParaPro certification

Job description

• Position Type: Support Staff/Special Education Assistant
• Date Posted: 9/10/2026
• Location: Garfield Elementary (High-Needs School)

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

Position Title: Special Education Assistant (K-4)

Department: Support Staff

Reports To: Building Principal

Duty Days: 173 duty days per school year

Compensation: Based on education and experience; wages outlined in Education Assistant contract located on district website. Salary Range: $16.50-$17.15 per hour

Hours: 7.5 hours per day

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Brainerd Public Schools, where opportunity meets excellence!

We are dedicated to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that values diversity, innovation, and collaboration. As an integral part of our community, we strive to empower educators, administrators, and staff to make a positive impact on the lives of our students. Our team is passionate about shaping the future of education in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Special Education Paraprofessional will 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

• 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. This could include in the community or volunteer 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.
• Assist the individual student in self-help and independent living skills this can include the following 1. Dressing and undressing, 2. Toileting which may include changing diapers, training pants, cleaning the child and implementing toilet training techniques, 3. Supervise and assist with eating skills, this could include but is not limited to adapted feeding utensils or feeding tube, 4. Supervise and assist child with an assistive device, this could include but is not limited to, any prosthetic device, brace, wheelchair, communicative or assistive technology device. 5. Support students in Developmentally Adaptive Phy Ed activities and Special Olympics events and activities.
• Supervise student(s) during lunch, time out situations, recess, field trips, and emergency situations or in temporary absence of the teacher due to emergency or restrictive procedure situation.
• 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.
• Followschool 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

• Meet highly-qualified requirements for paraprofessional (two-year associate degree, 60 college credits, para-pro or para e-link certification)
• 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.

Employees of the Brainerd Public School District #181 are expected to support the goals of the district, model and promote an environment that is respectful for all, and work collaboratively with other staff to focus on the needs of the learner. A quality, customer focus that conveys a welcome attitude, adaptability to change, and a desire for continuous improvement is also expected of all employees. In addition, staff should respect confidential matters, encourage a safe and secure environment throughout the schools, and be dependable and accountable employees.