Specialized Assistant: MOCI

Lansingschools; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 27,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lansing School District in Lansing, MI is seeking a Specialized Assistant to support students with disabilities and assist teachers in delivering lessons.

The role emphasizes building positive relationships with students and families, maintaining safety, and applying feedback from school leaders and PD sessions to improve daily practice.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or 60 credits required.
• Proof of ETS Paraprofessional Exam.
• Experience with students in small groups and RTI settings.
• Ability to read and understand a student’s IEP.
• Desire to become a certified teacher long term.

Responsibilities

• Support students with special education needs and disabilities.
• Assist teachers in keeping students engaged during lessons.
• Build relationships with students and parents to create a safe, welcoming learning environment.
• Prioritize tasks as assigned by teachers and school leaders.
• Ensure safety of students on caseload.
• Incorporate feedback from staff and professional development sessions.
• Perform other duties to support the Lansing School District mission.

Skills

Student support

Team collaboration

Parent communication

Reading IEPs

Behavior management

Education

Associate’s Degree

60 college credits

ETS Paraprofessional Exam

Job description

Overview

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK‑12 students across 25 school buildings in the diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique because of the wide variety of educational options available to families and staff. All team members are dedicated to our mission of providing an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

Responsibilities

The Specialized Assistant will help ensure the safety and success of students in the building assigned to, who often have disabilities. The role includes building relationships, supporting teachers, and interacting with parents and families. Responsibilities include:

• Provide support to students with special education needs and disabilities.
• Assist teachers in ensuring students are engaged and supported during lessons.
• Build relationships with students and parents to create a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment.
• Prioritize tasks as assigned by teachers and school leaders.
• Ensure safety of students on caseload.
• Learn and grow by incorporating feedback from school leaders, colleagues, students, and professional development sessions.
• Perform other duties as assigned to best support the Lansing School District mission.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree
• 60 completed college credits
• Proof of passing the ETS Paraprofessional Exam
• Previous experience working with students in small group and RTI settings
• Understanding of how to read and understand a student’s IEP
• Desire to become a certified teacher long term
• Passion for working with students, especially in one‑on‑one and small group situations, and especially students with special education needs

Physical Demands

• Must be able to stand, walk, and move quickly between indoor and outdoor settings for extended periods.
• Regularly required to bend, kneel, crouch, and assist with physical transfers or interventions involving students.
• Must be able to lift, push, or carry up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Frequent verbal communication required to support students, coordinate with staff, and manage emergent situations.
• Occasional use of computers, radios, and other communication or documentation tools.
• May be exposed to noise, weather conditions, and other elements associated with a school environment.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EEO Statement

At the Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.