id='p19244_'>Special Education Assistant I (Intervener; 6.75 hours per day) JobID: 19244
Position Type:
Support Staff (Assistant)/Special Education Assistant I
Date Posted:
8/24/2026
Location:
District Wide
Date Available:
ASAP
Closing Date:
Until Filled
Additional Information: Show/Hide
MUST WATCH VIDEO
Join Our Team at Elk River Area ISD 728!
Are you ready to educate, inspire, and empower diverse learners?
Come make a difference at Elk River Area ISD 728, the eighth-largest school district in the state! We are a rapidly growing, forward-thinking district dedicated to shaping our students' futures so they can accomplish their dreams and contribute positively to our local and global communities.
Why choose ISD 728?
- A Culture of Excellence: Be part of a winning team! Our district boasts an impressive 89% graduation rateoutpacing the state average by more than 4 percentage points. Our students consistently achieve greatness, from advancing in the National Civics Bee to winning big at the Minnesota State Science Excellence Fair.
- Unprecedented Growth & Innovation: As our community continues to grow, so do our opportunities. We are actively expanding our learning spaces, Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, and targeted student services to meet the needs of our dynamic district.
- A Role for Everyone: Whether you are an experienced educator or looking to support our schools in other vital ways, we have a place for you! We are actively hiring across multiple departments, including Teachers, Administrative and Classroom Assistants, Summer Special Education Assistants, Custodial Grounds, Food Service, and EdVenture Club Child Care professionals.
Help us build strong schools and strong communities. Explore our current openings and join us in making a meaningful impact today!
Job Overview: ISD 728 is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Special Education Paraprofessional to join our elementary teams for the 2026-2027 school year. In this role, you will work closely with Special Education Teachers to support the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth of students with diverse learning needs. The ideal candidate is patient, adaptable, and passionate about helping every student reach their full potential in a safe and inclusive environment.
Under the guidance of the special education teachers, the intervener will aid the deafblind student in meeting their individualized education plan (IEP) goals in areas such as academic, communication, social-emotional, physical, and behavioral.
Interveners work with deafblind students individually to support communication, mobility, and sensory access needs during all activities throughout the school day. Professionalism, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach are essential when working with students receiving special education services to ensure their safety and growth, and to help them understand and exhibit appropriate behaviors at school and in the community.
An intervener is part of a team environment, where collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to the success of the student and the team.
Effective Date of Employment: Beginning of the 2026-2027 school year
Schedule: 10 month calendar
Salary: starts at $22.08 per hour
Key Responsibilities:
- Instructional Support: Assist the lead teacher in delivering individualized or small-group instruction based on students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Student Engagement: Help keep students focused and engaged in general education and special education classroom settings.
- Behavioral Support: Implement behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and assist in de-escalating challenging behaviors using district-approved techniques.
- Data Collection: Assist teachers in observing, recording, and charting students' behavioral and academic progress.
- Personal Care (if applicable): Assist students with physical or developmental disabilities with daily living activities, which may include feeding, mobility, and personal hygiene.
- Classroom Management: Help prepare instructional materials, set up assistive technology, and maintain an organized, welcoming classroom environment.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Support learners who are deafblind in communication, language, mobility, personal care, sensory, and other developmental needs through sign language and/or other visual supports throughout all activities in the school day in special education and/or general education settings based on learner needs, providing access to visual and auditory information.
- Facilitates the interaction between a student who is deafblind and his or her social and physical environment.
- Assist classroom teachers in providing instruction and managing student educational programming.
- Adapt instructional materials, equipment, or strategies, under the direction of the teacher or other professionals, to provide differentiated instruction, accomplish objectives, and meet student needs.
- Provide basic cares to support student physical needs, including feeding, toileting and other supports.
- Guide the student through activities and hands-on exploration of materials as appropriate. Provide access to information, environments, and materials for the student who may otherwise be unable to access or understand due to dual sensory impairments. Adapt lessons as needed for the student and as specified in the IEP under the direction of licensed staff.
- Facilitate activities with a student under the direction of the teacher, therapist or other related services staff.
- Help to maintain the safety of the student and the environment.
Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Must meet State of Minnesota Paraprofessional requirements (e.g., an Associate's degree, 60 college credits, or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment).
- Previous experience working with children, especially those with special needs, is highly preferred.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to maintain extreme confidentiality regarding student records and needs.
- Patience, empathy, and a positive attitude.
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
- Willingness to complete a paid six-weekend Deaf/Blind Intervener training program or previous successful completion of a DeafBlind Intervener training program.
- Sign language skills, knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, or other communication methods to bridge the gap between students and educational staff.
- Experience working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing and visually impaired with multiple disabilities in the educational setting.
- Ability to work as an effective member of a team with staff, parents, and the community through the building and maintaining of collaborative, positive relationships and through the ability to follow program direction as provided by teachers and administration.
- Good oral, written, and interpersonal communication that is maintained during high-stress and crisis situations.
- Ability and desire to work with assistive technology.
- Basic computer and email skills.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds weight and up to adult-size body weight with two-to-three-person lift.
- Ability to support a student's full body weight up to adult size
- Frequently requires standing, walking, lifting, bending, leaning, and repetitive motions.
- Occasionally requires sitting, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.
Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.
Equity is one of ISD728's core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first to ensure college and career readiness. A diverse workforce fuels innovation and allows us to better understand, communicate with, and educate our students. ISD728 will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability, or status with regard to public assistance.
Attachment(s):
- 2025-2027 Assistant Master Agreement