Job Description

Special Education Aide

Support Student Growth — and Make Every Classroom a Place of Learning and Care

At Grafton Integrated Health Network, we’re guided by a shared purpose: helping students with complex needs achieve meaningful, fulfilling lives. As a Special Education Aide, your impact comes through providing direct, hands-on support to students in the classroom, helping them build academic, social, and life skills. You’ll work closely with teachers and multidisciplinary teams to deliver individualized, person-centered support, fostering a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment.

Through patience, encouragement, and consistency, you’ll help students gain confidence and independence. And because we care for you so you can care for others, we provide the training, tools, and professional development opportunities you need to grow while making a lasting difference in each student’s life.

Join us - and experience the deep fulfillment of knowing your work truly makes a difference!
Be part of a team that leads with heart and grit, the Grafton way—where leadership, compassion, and dedication come together to change lives.

They assist the Academic Teacher in implementing instructional and therapeutic activities. They may assist with executing lesson plans and preparing instructional materials to support instruction. They assist the Academic Teacher with assessing progress (analysis of data) and modifying teaching techniques to promote the achievement of each assigned client’s established goals. They work with clients in residences during academic breaks and holidays. They provide supervision, safety and crisis management for the client population; complete documentation of client behavior and participation in programming; adhere to the scheduled activities; role model positive, mature behavior; utilize proactive behavioral strategies to minimize client crisis and maximize success.

They report to a teacher or program supervisor/ manager.

Health, Safety and Wellness of Clients

1. Provides for the well-being and safety of clients.
2. Supports client health and hygiene.
3. Utilizes infection control procedures.
4. Reports serious incidents, participates in reviews and implements follow-up measures, as applicable.

Individual Plan Implementation

1. Knows the SNAP (strengths, needs, abilities and preferences), goals/objectives/outcomes and treatment strategies from the current Plans (Treatment Plan, IEP, ISP) of assigned clients.
2. Promotes clients’ achievement of behavioral goals by implementing the behavior strategies and teaching alternative behaviors, as indicated in the Treatment Plan/IEP/ISP.
3. Actively instructs assigned clients so they can achieve education/residential goals and objectives or ID Waiver outcomes.
4. Collects and documents behavioral and instructional data, accurately and reliably.
5. Documents services delivered accurately and in a timely manner.
6. Maintains a high level of engagement with and monitoring of clients. Implements planned activities throughout the workday.

Provides a Supportive and Solution–Focused Environment

1. Builds trusting, respectful relationships with clients and helps clients do the same.
2. Demonstrates knowledge about the symptoms and supports associated with diagnoses of assigned clients and a trauma-informed care approach.
3. Manages behavioral crisis safely.
4. Collaborates with the Treatment Team to provide continuity of support and care, by communicating and contributing to team discussions and decisions.
5. Exhibits exemplary customer service with guardians, agency personnel and visitors.

Site Management – Housekeeping, Nutrition, Transportation, Finances

1. Ensures a safe residence / classroom environment.
2. Assures a clean and organized residence/classroom.
3. Promotes good nutrition and, in group homes, assists with meal preparation.
4. Provides transportation / community mobility.
5. Assists with purchases and is accountable for program and client money, as applicable.

Teamwork and commitment to the mission, values and vision of Grafton

1. Demonstrates knowledge of organization
2. Demonstrates the core values of personal integrity and accountability.
3. Performs other duties, as assigned.

Education / Certification (must possess at least of the following):

1. At least two years of college credits in any discipline/degree field (usually 60 credits if earned in Minnesota) through an accredited institution of higher education;
2. An associate’s degree or higher in any discipline/degree field;
3. Three or more years supporting students with disabilities in Minnesota schools or other states with similar competency areas A passing score on an approved, formal assessment (*see below) demonstrating the knowledge and ability to assist with instruction in reading/language arts, writing, mathematics or readiness for each.

• • Must be 21 years of age
  • Must demonstrate proficiency in the English language
  • Must pass criminal background check and pre-employment drug screen
  • Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
  • Demonstrates moderate computer skills – how to log-in, how to navigate the Web for information, how to start and save a document in Microsoft WORD, and has basic keyboarding skills.

*For the third option, two state-approved assessments are available through most and some school districts:

• The require in Minnesota passing scores of 65% for the Instructional Support test and 70% for the Knowledge and Application test.
  
• The requires a combined Minnesota passing score of 460.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

Caring for You, So You can Care for Others:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Generous Paid Time Off plan & attendance incentives
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)

Stronger Together: Supporting Your Growth & Success:

• Paid Career Development - we pay you while becoming certified in CPR, Ukeru, Mandt and other career training!
• 401(k), including an employer match up to $2,500 annually
• Education Assistance up to $5,250 annually
• As Grafton is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, you may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness

If you have issues applying or have any questions about this position, please reach out to us at hr@grafton.org

Grafton is an equal employment opportunity employer and tobacco-free workplace.

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