Education Assistant Specialist

Karner Blue Education Center

Located in Circle Pines, Minnesota, Karner Blue Education Center serves students in grades K-8 who have Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD). Environmental supports create a controlled space for students to learn, play and relax. The focus on nature provides a calming atmosphere, and educational philosophies tied to nature build a student's connection to their world.

The Karner Blue Education Center employs the Compassionate School model, which fosters physical and emotional well‑being by enabling students to build relationships, self‑regulate, and achieve success in both academic and non‑academic contexts.

This position is a 7 hour/day position, with 183 paid days per year. Starting hourly pay is $24. This position is fully benefit eligible. Anticipated start date for this position is August 12, 2026.

Incumbents are responsible for providing instructional and behavioral support to students individually or in small groups, and ensuring a safe and healthy education environment. Responsibilities may include: assisting teachers with modifying curriculum, class activities or materials; providing instructional support in various disciplines and facilitating social skills; monitoring students' behavior to ensure a safe and healthy environment; de‑escalating student issues; providing physical care;

and maintaining and preparing routine records and reports.

• Assists teachers by providing instructional support to students where differentiated/modified instruction is needed; secures the necessary equipment needed within the class to accommodate specialized student needs.
• Assists teachers with overseeing the safety, personal conduct, personal care, and behavior of the students; redirects students engaging in negative or unexpected behavior; documents behaviors; implements behavior support plans and monitors for effectiveness; intervenes when necessary to deescalate students deemed to be in crises.
• Assists with the instruction of student workers by providing guidance in the handling of industry specific tools and machinery, maintaining work areas, and preventing accidents.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

• High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)
• Two years of study at an institution of higher education (60 college credits) OR an Associate degree (or higher) OR successful completion of the Para educator training and assessments (District funded)
• 1 to 3 years successful experience working with adolescents and/or individuals with special needs. Other successful work experience can be considered.

• Applicable subject matter(s)
• Assistive learning tools
• Student support principles
• Recordkeeping principles
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Computer and related software applications

• Monitoring children in an educational setting
• Observing and recording student behavior
• Using assistive learning tools
• Preparing and maintaining records and reports
• Applying local, state and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Operating a computer and applicable software applications
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

• Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions
• Heavy Work:
  Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects
• Job requirements include:
  • Occasionally (1-33% of the time) run, climb or balance, taste and smell, and lift up to 100 lbs
  • Frequently (34-66% of the time) sit, reach with hands and arms, stoop/kneel/crouch or crawl, and lift up to 25 lbs
  • Continuously (67-100% of the time) stand, walk, use hands, and talk and hear

At Northeast Metro 916, equity means that everyone has access to what they need in order to learn, grow and thrive.

Northeast Metro 916 will not discriminate against individuals based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, parental status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age or sexual orientation.