LAUNCH program Special Education Paraprofessional

Job Type: Full-time

We are hiring for our LAUNCH program Special Education Paraprofessional. The LAUNCH Special Education Paraprofessional supports students with significant behavioral, emotional, social, and academic needs in a highly supportive alternative education setting. This role is grounded in the belief that students must feel safe, connected, and regulated before they are ready to learn. The paraprofessional works under the direction of the LAUNCH Special Education Teacher and reports to the Director of Alternative Placement, providing direct student support, assisting with individualized programming, and helping maintain a safe, structured, relationship‑centered learning environment.

Students in the LAUNCH Program present with significant social‑emotional, behavioral, and academic needs that require intensive intervention, consistency, and a highly individualized environment. The paraprofessional plays a critical role in helping students stabilize, regulate, build trust, and re‑engage in learning through the program pillars of Safety, Connection, Regulation, and Skill Building.

This position requires a professional who is trauma‑informed, relationship‑driven, calm under pressure, skilled in de‑escalation, flexible in responding to student needs, and committed to helping students make meaningful progress through high‑support, individualized programming. The paraprofessional collaborates closely with teacher(s), related service staff, and administration to ensure students receive consistent support throughout the school day.

CESA 6 offers great benefits for full‑time employees such as Health, Dental and Vision insurance;
Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS);
Wellness Program;
Accident/Critical Illness/Hospital Indemnity insurance;
Pet insurance; paid vacation and holidays.

• Work collaboratively with a strong teaching/support team involving a variety of educational professionals.
• Contribute to a positive, student‑centered team environment focused on safety, connection, and student success.
• Provide direct support to students with emotional, behavioral, social, and academic challenges while helping them develop appropriate coping, regulation, and social skills.
• Assist students individually and in small‑group settings with instructional tasks, engagement, and completion of learning activities. Support the classroom teacher in all aspects of classroom management, preparation and implementation of current teaching strategies.
• Support the classroom teacher in implementing individualized plans, classroom routines, behavior supports, and instructional strategies.
• Help maintain a safe, structured, positive, and nurturing learning environment that attends to students’ academic, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Utilize trauma‑informed practices and approved de‑escalation strategies, including NVCI training methods, when needed.
• Build positive relationships with students through patience, consistency, encouragement, and trust‑based interactions.
• Use NVCI Training methods when the need arises.
• Complete clerical and documentation tasks including attendance, daily behavior tracking, data collection, and updating student files with academic, medical, and behavioral information.
• Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness in addressing changing student needs throughout the school day.
• Take responsibility for professional growth based on feedback, research and best practice.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and sensitive information in accordance with district, state, and federal guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Solid educational background including a High School diploma.
• Special Education Program Aide certification from the WI Department of Public Instruction, which can be applied for after hire and is reimbursable.
• Current knowledge of specific disabilities, including trauma informed care & de‑escalation strategies, appropriate instructional techniques/methods, positive behavioral interventions, and effective classroom organization.
• Certification in Crisis Prevention Institute Nonviolent Crisis Intervention…