Special Education Assistant; Program - Dowling

Special Education Assistant (Program) – ) – Dowling Elementary, Minneapolis Public Schools

Organizational Unit: Dowling Elementary )
Site: Dowling (0180)
FTE: 0.7875 FTE; 31.25 hrs/week (41 weeks
Union: ESP(28)
Functional Area: Paraprofessional
Salary Range: $26.37 - $29.85 per hour
Benefits: Dental insurance, Health insurance, Vision insurance, Paid time off, HSA & FSA, Retirement plan

Resume and cover letter are mandatory to apply.

• Provide support services to children with moderate to severe disabilities and assist MPS staff to facilitate educational functions and maintain a safe learning environment.
• Assist students in learning processes through positive behavior reinforcement, individual instruction, socialization, and communication.
• 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 SAIL, IEP, and 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 care as directed by licensed staff. Assist students in community, recreational, school and vocational training. Provide assistance in classrooms and after‑school programs.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

• Completion of 90 quarter/60 semester college credits or higher OR
• A passing score of 460 (or higher) on the Para Pro Assessment AND either a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
• Two years of experience working with children. Additional education or training may substitute for experience, at the discretion of Human Resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences or related field.

First Aid/CPR/AED, Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training, and Special Education Orientation are required within one year.

A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree, working with special needs children, and frequently lifting up to 50 pounds. Eligibility is based on passing the required pre‑placement exam.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply. Diversity is a core value; employment decisions will not be based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status.