2026-27 TA 2 - Special Ed - Focus Beyond (18-Adult)

About the role

The focus of Saint Paul Public Schools is to hire a full-time Teaching Assistant 2 (TA 2) - Special Education for the Focus Beyond (18-Adult) program in St. Paul, MN. Applications are expected to be filled within 2-4 weeks.

Responsibilities

• Implement student Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), 504 Plans, Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and sensory plans.
• Support the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms and environments.
• Record data on students' IEP objectives and BIPs for use in monitoring and adjusting student programs.
• Aid students in completing functional skills, such as feeding, dressing, toileting, and other self-help activities. Maintain toileting area and equipment. Set up meal area and equipment.
• Assist teachers in communications systems therapy and discipline across the school day and in all environments.
• Able to be mobile and move around classrooms and the schools to anticipate and meet the variety of student needs.
• Complete Third Party billing daily.
• Provide follow-up instruction on Positive Behavioral Interventions and implement de-escalation strategies to avoid power struggles.
• Be trained in Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) for de-escalation and physical restraint techniques. Only use NVCI physical intervention techniques when needed to assure the safety of the student or other students.
• Aid in supporting students on field trips.
• May perform other similar tasks and duties as required.
• Able to lift more than 40 pounds when applicable.
• Able to sit, walk, climb, crouch, kneel, push, talk, and hear.
• Required to be trained in the Special Education Orientation.
• Maintain Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and bus safety training and CPR as required.
• Must be trained in basic first aid, CPR, and bus safety policies and procedures within 30 days of being assigned to ride the bus.

Requirements

• One of the following:
• An AA, AS, AAS (or higher) degree,
• Two years of post-secondary coursework (60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits) from an accredited institution of higher education which are applicable toward a bachelor's degree,
• Passing score on the ParaPro or Paraeducator Assessment AND either a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
• Knowledge, skills and abilities:
• Basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics,
• Must be able to converse with students and staff as necessary and/or in accordance with student's IEP,
• Basic skills in typing, copying and use of computers and iPads and duplicating may be required for some positions,
• Be racially conscious and support all students to achieve equitable outcomes,
• Ability to develop good relationships with students and staff,
• Ability to be sensitive to the needs of others,
• Ability to relate to students with warmth, friendliness and understanding,
• Must be on time to the job every day.

Qualifications

• Must be physically able to lift more than 40 pounds when applicable.
• Able to sit, walk, climb, crouch, kneel, push, talk and hear.
• Required to be trained in the Special Education Orientation.
• Maintain Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and bus safety training and CPR as required.
• Must be trained and maintain Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and bus safety training and CPR as required.
• Must be trained and maintain Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and bus safety training and CPR as required.

Skills

• Ability to relate to students with warmth, friendliness and understanding.
• Ability to be sensitive to the needs of others.
• Ability to develop good relationships with students and staff.
• Ability to converse with students and staff as necessary and/or in accordance with student's IEP.
• Ability to lift more than 40 pounds when applicable.
• Ability to sit, walk, climb, crouch, kneel, push, talk and hear.
• Ability to be mobile and move around classrooms and the schools to anticipate and meet the variety of student needs.
• Ability to complete Third Party billing daily.
• Ability to provide follow-up instruction on Positive Behavioral Interventions and implement de-escalation strategies to avoid power struggles.
• Ability to be trained in Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) for de-escalation and physical restraint techniques.
• Ability to assist in supporting students on field trips.
• Ability to lift more than 40 pounds when applicable.
• Ability to sit, walk, climb, crouch, kneel, push, talk, and hear.
• Ability to be trained in the Special Education Orientation.
• Ability to maintain Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and bus safety training and CPR as required.
• Ability to be trained in basic first aid, CPR, and bus safety policies and procedures within 30 days of being assigned to ride the bus.

Benefits

This position offers benefits including medical/dental/vision/pension, accrual of sick and vacation time, and eligibility for bus safety training and CPR certification.

Pay

• Pay range for this position is: $20.19 - $25.47 TA1
• Pay range for this position is: $21.63 - $28.48 TA2
• Maximum hiring step = step four (4)
• The full salary schedule is listed in the Teachers contract.
• Salary information for this job posting can be found on the Labor Agreements page and by selecting the "Teaching Assistant" Labor agreement.

Work Schedule

This is a 10 month position working 35 hours per week.

How to Apply

To be considered further, please apply for this position and attach a resume and cover letter to your online application.

Other Information

• Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of hire. Official transcripts must be submitted within 30 days of your start date. Formal credential evaluation is required for post-secondary education completed outside of the United States.
• If you are an eligible veteran applying for a job where veteran's preference applies and wish to claim Veterans Preference, you must submit a legible copy of your DD214 to the Human Resource Department with your employment application. If your claim is approved, five or ten additional points will be added to your final passing score.
• Criminal Background Investigation and Reference Checks: Reference checks and a criminal background investigation will be completed as a condition of hire for all new employees and for former employees who have not been employed by the District for more than six months.
• Essential Functions: Essential functions are job duties that the individual holding the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation through the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disability Amendments Act (ADAAA).
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• May be exposed to various cleaning products.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.

Equity Statement

SPPS is committed to an equitable workforce where all employees represent this commitment through equitable practices in their job position.