Paraeducator, Special Services

Position Details

• Position Type:
  Para educator / Special Education Para educator
• Date Posted: 10/30/2025
• Location:
  
  District
• Date Available:
  
  Immediate
• Closing Date:
  Open Until Filled

The Shakopee School District is currently looking for Special Education Paraeducators. This position works 6.5 hours a day on student days.

Compensation Range: $21.34- $27.00 per hour, based on experience. Plus an additional $0.50/hr for highly qualified Para's.

A competitive benefit package is also available and includes the following:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• HSA & VEBA
• Flexible Spending & Dependent Care
• Accidental Injury & Critical Illness
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off: 12 sick days, 2 personal days, & 7 paid holidays.
• PERA Retirement Plan (Public Employees Retirement Association) - 7.5% district contribution
• 403(B) plan: 2.5% match after 3 years of employment

A special education paraprofessional, under the supervision of a licensed special education teacher, provides direct and indirect support to students with special needs. This position must also demonstrate understanding of individual and unique characteristics of students with disabilities and assist them with their special education needs.

• Serve as a contributing member of the special education team.
• Implement individual student behavior plans including providing positive reinforcement, assisting with self‑regulation and behavior de‑escalation, assisting students to transition from general education classrooms and other school settings when behaviors are interfering with learning, and implementing physical restraint procedures when required.
• Support academic programs designed by special and general education teachers including leading small groups, providing one‑to‑one follow‑up, re‑teaching/reviewing material, and keeping students on task.
• Provide feedback to special education teachers about general education class activities, assignments, student participation, and behavior.
• Provide supports to enhance student success and foster independence through the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEP) accommodations and modifications: taking notes in class, reading materials out loud, utilizing technology, implementing organizational skills, etc.
• Promote a positive learning environment.
• Collect student data as directed by the special education teacher.
• Assist students with mobility which may include toileting/changing diapers, lifting and transferring students, helping with dressing, and assisting students with adaptive equipment.
• Accompany students during school‑related community outings which may include driving a district vehicle.
• Support activities of daily living including assisting with feeding/eating, hygiene, dressing skills and toileting/diapering.
• Maintain student and family data privacy and confidentiality.
• Assist with bus arrival, departure, monitoring and riding as indicated on the IEP and/or as needed.

• High school diploma required.
• Highly qualified designation required or ability to obtain highly qualified status within 90 days of hire. The district will provide training and support to meet highly qualified status. Highly qualified status includes one of the following:
  • 2‑year degree
  • 4‑year degree
  • 60 college credits
  • Passing the Master Teacher assessment for Paraprofessionals or Para Pro assessment.
• Experience working with students with special needs preferred.

• Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention / Crisis Prevention Intervention (NVCI/CPI)
• Personal Care Assistant Certification (PCA)
• Technology or transportation training
• District all staff required training:
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • ALICE
  • Employee Right to Know
  • Any district or building initiative (PBIS, Developmental Designs, etc)

Classroom, office, lifting, pushing, pulling, standing, sitting, keyboarding, etc. Ability to safely lift 50 pounds.

Apply online at  posting 6437.

Selection Procedure:
Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately. Those selected for interview will be contacted.