Special Education Assistant - (SERIS) - (2026-2027) - Lake Harriet Upper

Organizational Unit: Lake Harriet Upper Elementary • FTE: .7875 (31.50 hours/week, 41 weeks) • Union: ESP(28)

About the Role

Under general supervision, provides a variety of services to assist students with special needs in a learning environment; assists MPS staff to develop and implement appropriate individualized lessons and activities for students with disabilities; helps students to meet their therapy and education goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide support services to children with moderate to severe disabilities and assist MPS staff to facilitate educational functions and other services that maintain a safe and productive learning environment, sensitive to the needs and legal rights of Special Education students; work with students to improve personal skills and reinforce classroom learning.
• Assist students in learning processes through reinforcement of positive behavior, individual instruction, socialization, and good communications.
• 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 Support and Advocacy for Independent Living Program (SAIL), Individualized Education Program (IEP), and Functional Behavioral Assessments (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 cares, as directed by licensed staff.
• Assist students in community, recreational, school, and vocational training.
• Provide assistance to students in classrooms and after-school programs.
• Intervention SEA: Provide support in the least restrictive environment so students are successful in resource settings; ensure behavior support plans are implemented with fidelity for students in special education resource settings.
• Personal transportation is required as position may vary.

Requirements

• Completion of 90 quarter/60 semester college credits or higher OR a passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro 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. Related experience may also be considered, at the discretion of Human Resources.
• First Aid/CPR/AED, Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training, and Special Education Orientation required within one year.
• Must be able to frequently lift up to 50 pounds.
• Eligibility for position is based on passing the required pre-placement exam.
• Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Education, Child Development, Behavioral Sciences, or an educational area related to position assignment.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Skills

A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree and working with special needs children.

Benefits

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

Pay

$27.17 - $30.75 per hour