Title:
PARA 6-Elementary Support Assistant
DBM Classification:
B23/Class 6
Department:
Elementary School
Salary Range:
$24.17 - $30.33
Employee Group:
EM Spark
Prepared Date:
May 2026
Reports to:
Elementary School Principal
FTE/FLSA Status:
0.88 FTE (7 hours a day) |10-Months | Non-Exempt
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Elementary Support Assistant works under the direction of the Building Principal to support the academic, social, emotional, and physical development of students. The role involves helping to create and implement student success plans in collaboration with licensed staff, ensuring adherence to current policies and procedures. The assistant proactively addresses student behaviors in various areas of the school, including hallways, classrooms, lunchrooms, gyms, playgrounds, and buses. Additionally, the assistant supports the social worker with attendance monitoring, including issuing written letters and coordinating teacher/family conferences. They collaborate with staff and the principal to determine appropriate actions for supporting students, which may involve assisting with student discipline referrals and implementing restorative practices such as restorative meetings, parent and police contact, in-school suspension (ISS), out-of-school suspension (OSS), and dismissal as necessary.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Student Success Plans: Assist in developing and maintaining student success plans, addressing all aspects of a child’s development, including academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being.
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Behavior Management: Supervise, monitor, and direct students to take accountability for their actions, and work with students to develop strategies for improving behavior and learning in the classroom.
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Behavioral Follow-up: Follow up with staff regarding student responses and evaluate the need to revise behavioral consequences when necessary.
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Data Collection: Keep consistent baseline data for assessment and maintain day-to-day records for students in programs.
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Restorative Practices: Remain proactive in implementing restorative practices with students, aiming to build positive relationships and resolve conflicts.
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Referral Documentation: Maintain a file of all referrals, tracking behavioral incidents and actions taken.
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Academic Support: Assist students in classrooms with educational programs and assignments, providing additional support as needed.
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Group Support: Carry out the team’s requests for work with specific groups of students when provided clear direction.
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Crisis Intervention: Attend to crisis situations, providing support and intervention as needed.
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Behavioral Strategies: Develop and implement appropriate behavioral strategies to improve both behavioral and academic skills in students.
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In-School Suspension Supervision: Supervise students during in-school suspension (ISS), ensuring students remain in their assigned locations.
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Collaboration: Consult with administrators, teachers, and support staff about student behaviors in various areas of the school, including hallways, classrooms, the Media Center, gym, lunchroom, playgrounds, and buses.
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Behavioral Consequences: Implement and provide appropriate consequences for inappropriate behavior consistent with district philosophy.
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Supervision: Assist other district personnel in supervising students in classrooms, lunchrooms, playgrounds, hallways, or during bus loading/unloading.
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Attendance Monitoring: Support the social worker with attendance monitoring, including sending written letters and conducting teacher/family conferences.
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Student Monitoring: Perform the duties of a student monitor on a limited basis, ensuring appropriate student supervision.
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Behavioral Referrals: Collaborate with administrators and instructional staff regarding appropriate student referrals (e.g., timeout, dismissal, parent contact, ISS, OSS).
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Parent Communication: Contact parents directly after student behavior incidents, following up with re-entry procedures after clearance from the principal.
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Classroom Support: Supervise small groups or individuals within the classroom, de-escalate students, redirect behaviors, and assist with academic tasks.
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Documentation: Maintain and update documentation of student discipline records, parent interactions, behavioral strategies, incident reports, and any other essential documents as required by the district.
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Investigation Assistance: Assist in the investigation of thefts, vandalism, student violations, and emergency situations, as requested by the building administrator.
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Data Entry: Update and record discipline and behavioral records in the Power School database.
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Training Participation: Attend assigned training sessions, workshops, and seminars to keep skills and knowledge current.
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Professional Development: Provide professional development opportunities for staff regarding student success plans and discipline procedures to ensure successful outcomes throughout the year.
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Classroom Support: Step in to assist the classroom teacher while they address student and/or behavior concerns.
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Other Duties: Perform other comparable duties of a like or similar nature as assigned by the principal or other district personnel.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
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Child Development: Understanding of the physical, emotional, social, and academic development of elementary-aged students.
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Behavioral Management Techniques: Knowledge of effective behavior management strategies and restorative practices.
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Student Support Plans: Familiarity with developing and implementing student success plans that address individual student needs.
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District Policies and Procedures: Understanding of district rules, discipline policies, and educational practices.
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Crisis Intervention: Awareness of appropriate interventions and support strategies during student crises.
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Classroom Strategies: Knowledge of academic and behavioral strategies that can support learning and behavior in the classroom.
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Restorative Practices: Familiarity with restorative justice principles and practices in addressing student behavior and conflict resolution.
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Student Recordkeeping: Knowledge of the documentation process, including maintaining discipline records, incident reports, and behavioral data.
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Attendance Monitoring: Understanding of attendance policies and how to support the social worker with attendance tracking.
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Behavioral Intervention: Ability to de-escalate situations, redirect behaviors, and help students improve their behavior and learning.
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Communication: Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to work effectively with students, parents, teachers, and staff.
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Data Management: Skill in collecting and maintaining student data, including behavioral assessments and academic progress.
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Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, social workers, and other support staff.
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Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills to address student behavior and academic issues effectively.
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Conflict Resolution: Ability to mediate and resolve conflicts among students, using restorative practices when appropriate.
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Supervision: Ability to supervise students in various settings such as classrooms, lunchrooms, playgrounds, and during school transportation times.
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Multitasking: Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, ensuring effective support across a range of student needs.
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Support Student Learning: Ability to assist students with academic tasks, assignments, and classwork in a supportive manner.
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Maintain Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow ethical guidelines when handling student information and discipline records.
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Adaptability: Ability to adapt to varying student needs and changes in the classroom environment.
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Crisis Management: Ability to remain calm and effectively intervene during student crises or disruptive situations.
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Engage in Restorative Practices: Ability to engage students in meaningful restorative practices to address behavior and foster growth.
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Provide Positive Role Modeling: Ability to be a positive role model for students, demonstrating responsibility, empathy, and respect.
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Provide Effective Feedback: Ability to give constructive and clear feedback to students, helping them improve their behavior and learning.
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Engage with Families: Ability to effectively communicate with and engage parents and guardians to support student success and resolve behavioral issues.
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Manage Documentation: Ability to accurately maintain records related to student behavior, parent interactions, and student progress.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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Mobility: Frequent walking, standing, bending, crouching, and kneeling to assist students and support classroom activities.
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Lifting: Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally, including assisting students with mobility needs if required.
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Repetitive Motion: Regular use of hands and fingers for writing, typing, and handling instructional materials.
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Visual and Auditory Requirements: Ability to see and hear within normal ranges to monitor student behavior, support instruction, and ensure safety.
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Physical Assistance: This may involve supporting students with physical disabilities, including transferring, positioning, or assisting with mobility devices.
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Endurance: Capability to actively engage with students throughout the school day, including indoor and outdoor supervision (e.g., recess, field trips).
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Speech and Communication: Clear verbal communication to interact effectively with students, staff, and families.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
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School Setting: Primarily works in classrooms but may also assist in specialized learning spaces, libraries, cafeterias, playgrounds, hallways, and other school areas.
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Student Interaction: Regular, direct interaction with students, including those with diverse learning needs and varying behavioral, emotional, or physical abilities.
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Team Collaboration: Works closely with licensed instructional staff, special education teams, and other support personnel to assist students.
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Dynamic Environment: Fast-paced and varied, requiring flexibility to shift between instructional support, behavioral management, and supervision tasks.
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Supervision Duties: Responsible for student supervision in classrooms and during non-instructional times (e.g., lunch, recess, bus loading/unloading, and field trips).
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Exposure to Elements: May work outdoors during recess, field trips, or other activities, subject to varying weather conditions.
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Health & Safety Considerations: Potential exposure to bodily fluids or illnesses while assisting students with health or hygiene needs, following proper safety protocols.
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Noise Level: Moderate to high, depending on student activities and settings.
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Physical Demands: The work involves standing, walking, bending, lifting, and moving throughout the day to support students and instructional activities.
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Inclusive Environment: Expected to promote and support a culturally responsive, inclusive, and equitable learning environment for all students.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
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Experience working with children in an educational, childcare, or related setting.
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Associate’s degree or completion of at least two years of post-secondary education (equivalent to 60 college credits).
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Experience supporting students.
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Preferred: Training in behavior management techniques and culturally responsive practices.
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Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development and training.
BENEFIT INFORMATION
St. Louis Park Schools provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees working 20 or more hours per week. Key benefits include:
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Health and Dental Insurance
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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care expenses
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Life Insurance
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Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
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Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
The cost of benefits varies based on the employee group and full-time equivalent (FTE) status. For detailed information, including specific benefits and associated costs, please refer to the applicable group or bargaining unit contract Employment Contracts.
