Special Needs Child Care Assistant

The Special Needs Child Care Assistant plays a critical role in supporting all children, with a particular focus on children with special needs and varying disabilities or diagnoses, in alignment with each child's individualized inclusion plan. This position supervises, engages, and supports school-age children during before and after-school care, assists in planning and adapting activities, and performs leadership duties as needed to foster an inclusive and safe environment.

• Supervising and interacting with all school-age children, prioritizing the support of children with inclusion plans. Implementing site-standard accommodations to meet diverse student needs.
• Following individualized health and safety plans. Implementing behavior intervention or modification plans for students exhibiting challenging behaviors, including inappropriate verbal or physical behaviors.
• Providing proactive support by teaching skills, assisting with social interactions, monitoring emotions, and offering breaks when needed. Adapting activities to enable full participation by all children.
• Taking a leadership role in managing escalated situations involving children.
• Maintaining positive professional boundaries and modeling appropriate behavior at all times.
• Attending and actively participating in required staff meetings and professional development. Following Adventures Plus and Anoka‑Hennepin School District policies and procedures. Contributing to a collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Demonstrating excellent customer service by creating an environment that welcomes children and families of all abilities and backgrounds.
• Regular physical tasks include standing, walking, lifting (from below waist to chest), carrying, bending, kneeling, squatting, twisting, reaching, grasping, fine motor use, speaking, hearing, and visual focus. Occasionally, the role may involve sitting, pushing, pulling, climbing, crawling, and supervising children outdoors in all weather conditions.

• Experience engaging and supporting students with individual needs.
• High school diploma or equivalent PLUS one of the following:
  • 120 hours of training in a child-related area, OR
  • 12 college credits in a child-related area, OR
  • Proof of passing the Para Pro/Para educator exam.
• AND
  • 6 months of consistent experience working with children in a child care setting OR
  • 1,040 hours of paid experience working with children.

• Starting at $18.54/hour up to $19.30/hour with an Associate’s Degree (AA) plus up to $2.70/hour - $2.80/hour stipend (some conditions may apply).
• FT position – PTO, health, dental, 403b.

• 24 Elementary Schools across the district in the communities of Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Dayton, Ham Lake, or Ramsey.
• FT Split Shift hours – 6:30am‑9:30am and 3‑6pm.

If you are enthusiastic, flexible, and passionate about working with children and believe you have the qualities we seek, we would love to hear from you. Apply today!