Special Education Assistant (SERIS) (2026-2027) FAIR High

About the role

Special Education Assistant (SERIS) provides support services to students with moderate to severe disabilities, assists staff in developing and implementing individualized lessons, promotes student independence, academic and social inclusion, self‑advocacy, and helps meet therapy and education goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide support services to children with moderate to severe disabilities within scope of authority and training, complying with MPS policies and Standards of Effective Instructional Support.
• Assist staff to facilitate educational functions and maintain a safe, inclusive, productive learning environment in the Least Restrictive Environment.
• Apply Prevent, Teach, Reinforce Behavior Intervention Plans, reinforce positive behavior, provide individual instruction, encourage peer socialization.
• Monitor student activities, promote respect, explain social norms and disciplinary consequences, de‑escalate confrontations, enforce district policies.
• Maintain behavior documentation, written observations, anecdotal records for SAIL, IEP, and FBA.
• Monitor work, correct papers, transition students for medications, meals, buses, and classes.
• Attend to students’ daily hygiene, personal and health‑related cares as directed by licensed staff.
• Promote student independence in community, recreational, school, leisure, and vocational activities.
• Report learning problems, behavioral issues, and other concerns to supervisor or principal.
• Prepare classroom environment and materials; assist in classrooms, special projects, and after‑school programs.
• Provide customer service to parents/guardians, answer questions, explain school rules.
• Maintain confidentiality of work‑related information.
• Bilingual designation: interpret and translate for students with both Special Education and English Language Learner needs; requires oral/written fluency in English and a second language and bicultural background; work with Special Education and regular education teachers (languages listed: Amharic, Cambodian, Hmong, Liberian, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tibetan, Vietnamese).
• Intervention SEA: provide support in least restrictive environment, ensure Prevent, Teach, Reinforce behavior support plans are implemented with fidelity in resource settings; personal transportation required as position may move site‑to‑site.
• SEA Cadre: serve as reserve/substitute Special Education Assistant assigned on emergency basis to support schools/programs in high need situations; personal transportation required.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/GED.
• AND one of the following:
  • Completion of 90 quarter or 60 semester college credits in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences or related educational area;
  • 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.
• Knowledge of classroom policies, procedures, and processes; methods to assist students in reading, writing, mathematics; methods for working with students with disabilities; local and regional community resources; basic record‑keeping principles; computer use with standard and specialized software; safety rules and regulations.
• Skill in monitoring and improving student behavior and learning; assisting children and assessing educational needs; maintaining composure under classroom conditions; reacting appropriately to stressful or unsafe situations; communicating effectively with children; following verbal and written instructions; collaborating with diverse individuals; communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• License/certification: Minnesota State Driver’s License may be required; Special Education Assistant Onboarding Training required within 60 days of hire; First Aid/CPR/AED, de‑escalation and crisis response training, and Special Education Orientation required within one year of hire based on assignment.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• HSA & FSA
• Retirement plan

Pay

Salary range: $27.17 – $30.75 per hour.

Schedule

FTE: 0.8438 (33.75 hours per week).