Special Education Paraprofessional

Meeker & Wright Special Education Cooperative #0938
Position Title: Special Education Paraprofessional
Assignment Location: Village Ranch Alternative Program, Cokato, MN
Hours per Day: 7
Anticipated Start Date: August 2026
Salary: $21.75 – $28.24/ hour. Placement per the MSEA contract for Paras, based on applicable experience.
Benefits: As outlined on MAWSECO’s Summary of Benefits

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Special Education Paraprofessional works with students assigned to the special education program or service, under the direction of the licensed staff and performs duties to support the program in general. This includes, but is not limited to providing data-driven instructional support, personal care and behavioral assistance to students with special needs. Depending on student needs, responsibilities and duties may involve assisting and guiding students daily living skills, implementing behavior plans and /or monitoring and enforcing appropriate skills in accordance with instructional lesson plans and student Individualized Education Plans (IEP).

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school degree, GED, or equivalent experience; and
Holds one of the following to meet the Highly Qualified Paraprofessional requirement:

-At least two years of college credits (usually 60 credits in Minnesota)
-An AA, AS, AAS (or higher) degree
-Obtain the PELSB Paraprofessional Credential
-Passing score of 460 (or higher) on the ParaPro Assessment
-Passing score of 65% (or higher) for the Instructional Support test and 70% (or higher) for the Knowledge and Application test on the Minnesota Service Cooperatives ParaEducator Proctored Test

*MAWSECO offers prospective candidates access to online training materials and would proctor the test*

ABOUT VILLAGE RANCH:

Village Ranch Alternative Program (VRAP) is located in Cokato, MN and is an educational facility on the grounds of the Village Ranch, Inc. group home. The educational program provides a flexible, safe environment in which students can experience educational success. Students attending VRAP range from 12-18 years of age and some have pre-identified disabilities in the area of Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBD) or Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), or have other learning difficulties. VRAP’s goal is to transition students with academic, behavioral and/or emotional difficulties to successful integration into mainstream educational and/or work opportunities.

ABOUT MAWSECO:

MAWSECO is an agency of seven-member school districts (Annandale, Dassel-Cokato, Delano, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Litchfield, Maple Lake and Rockford) that have joined together to provide services in the area of special education. The mission of the Cooperative is to provide quality special education leadership, services, and support to its seven-member school districts’ staff, students and families as well as other agencies/districts that purchase its services. The MAWSECO central office is located in Howard Lake, MN which is west of the metro and south of St. Cloud.

POSITION QUESTIONS: 
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Laura Holmquist, Program Administrator, by phone (320) 406-6022 or email at: [email protected].

MAWSECO is an equal opportunity employer.