Special Education Assistant

Title: PARA, Class 5-Special Education Assistant
Department: Special Services
Group: EM Spark
Reports to: Principal
DBM Classification: B21/CLS5
Salary Range: $19.16 – $27.36 per hour
Prepared Date: February 2025

FTE: .8125 (6.5 hours per day)

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under general supervision, the Special Education Assistant supports students in school classrooms with educational programs and assignments, provides assistance to Teachers as directed, and assists students with after-school and special education programs and special events.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews daily plans, sets up materials and implements systems of data collection, clarifying directions with teachers and IEP managers as needed.
• Communicates with specialists, Individualized Education Program (IEP) managers, and classroom teachers, providing input into planning and feedback about student progress as directed by teachers.
• Provides necessary supervision of students on and off school grounds during transitional, large, and small group activities.
• Maintains knowledge of Individual Health Plans, Individual Education Programs (IEP's), and Behavior Intervention Plans for assigned students.
• Implements student Individual Behavior Intervention Plan and maintain behavior records and reports necessary for effective management of student behavior.
• Takes timely and decisive action in crisis intervention, choosing from previously established responses appropriate to building procedures and individual student programs.
• Carries out emergency evacuation or other safety procedures designed for individual students, utilizing proper transferring techniques for students with physical impairments.
• Supervises class in the event the teacher is called away briefly. 
• Seeks guidance from principal or other licensed staff as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of basic math, reading, language, science, or other academic concepts pertinent to area of assignment.
• Knowledge of general learning concepts, theories, and fundamentals.
• Knowledge of child development fundamentals and concepts.
• Knowledge of problem solving and conflict resolution techniques.
• Knowledge of behavioral management strategies, crisis intervention, and methods.
• Knowledge of District policies, guidelines, rules, or philosophy pertaining to discipline and appropriate student behavior and consequences.
• Supervising student behavior and applying consistent consequences for appropriate and inappropriate behaviors.
• Adapting lesson plans to the individual needs of students to facilitate their learning and to assist them in meeting any individual learning plans and objectives.
• Reading and interpreting documents, administrative policies, manuals, department guidelines, and operational procedures.
• Writing routine correspondence, routine reports, memos, documents, charts, or other correspondence/recording keeping requirements of the job.
• Presenting, reintroducing, and reinforcing information in 1:1 and/or small group situation to students, parents, staff, or other employees concerning District/program routines, polices, rules, learning principles, concepts, and other lesson plans.
• Taking instruction and direction from licensed personnel and following classroom/program routines.
• Learning and applying academic subject material relevant to their duties and needed in the reinforcement or tutoring of students.
• Interacting with and serving as a role model concerning learning and behaviors.
• Dealing appropriately with student conflict and behavioral issues consistently and in accordance with District guidelines, disciplinary principles, and/or individual student plans.
• Reinforcing and assisting students in acquiring or performing basic living skills or health needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle, or feel; talk; and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• AA degree or the completion of 60 post-secondary credits in relevant subject areas.

BENEFIT INFORMATION
St. Louis Park Schools provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees working 20 or more hours per week. Key benefits include:

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

The cost of benefits varies based on the employee group and full-time equivalent (FTE) status. For detailed information, including specific benefits and associated costs, please refer to the applicable group or bargaining unit contract Employment Contracts.

Salary : $19 - $27