Special Education Assistant (1:1) [ASD] - (2026-2027) Olson Middle

About the role

Responsible for providing a variety of services to assist students with special needs in a learning environment; assists MPS staff to develop and implement appropriate individualization lessons and activities for students with disabilities; promotes student independence, academic and social inclusion, as well as self-advocacy skills; helps students to meet their therapy and education goals.

Essential Functions

• Provides support services to children with moderate to severe disabilities enrolled in MPS;
• Performs duties within scope of authority and training, and in compliance with MPS policies, quality standards, and the Standards of Effective Instructional Support for Educational Assistants;
• Affords assistance to MPS staff to facilitate educational functions and other services to maintain a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment in the Least Restrictive Environment possible, that is also sensitive to the individual needs and legal rights of Special Education students;
• Works with students to improve personal skills and reinforce classroom learning;
• Assists students in learning processes; applies Prevent, Teach, Reinforce Behavior Intervention Plans, reinforces positive behavior, provides individual instruction, encourages opportunities for peer socialization;
• Maintains behavior documentation, written observations and anecdotal information files for Support and Advocacy for Independent Living Program (SAIL), Individualized Education Program (IEP), and Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA);
• Maintains the classroom environment and material to be utilized by students; provides assistance with students in classrooms, special projects, and after-school programs;
• Provides customer service to parents and guardians, answers questions, and explains school rules.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED;
• Monitors completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences or educational area related to position assignment;
• Passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro Assessment;
• Two (2) years of paid experience working with children;
• Equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

Skills

• Knowledge of classroom policies, procedures and processes;
• Methods and techniques to assist students in reading, writing and mathematics;
• Methods and techniques for working with students with disabilities and special needs;
• Local community resources and regional community services programs;
• Basic principles of record keeping and records management;
• Computers utilizing standard and specialized software;
• Safety rules and regulations;
• Monitoring and improving student behavior and learning skills;
• Assisting children and special needs students and assessing educational needs;
• Maintaining composure and working effectively under classroom conditions;
• Reacting appropriately to situations that could create personal stress and safety problems;
• Communicating effectively with children;
• Following verbal and written instructions;
• Working collaboratively with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds;
• Communicating effectively in verbal and written forms.

Benefits

• Dental insurance;
• Health insurance;
• Vision insurance;
• Paid time off;
• HSA & FSA;
• Retailer plan.

Pay

$27.17-$30.75 per hour

Schedule

31.75hrs/week; 41 weeks