The Special Education Assistant provides direct support to students with disabilities across various elementary school settings. Under the direction and supervision of licensed professional staff, this position assists students with physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive needs to support their academic progress, personal care, independence, safety, and participation in the school community.

Special Education Assistants may provide individual or small-group support, assist with classroom instruction and activities, implement teacher-directed strategies, and support students with activities of daily living. Responsibilities may vary based on student needs and building assignments and may include both instructional and personal care support.

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most!

Looking for work that fits your schedule and makes a real difference? The School District of West Allis-West Milwaukee is seeking caring, dependable Special Education Assistants to support students with diverse learning needs. This role is not always easy. It can be physically and mentally demanding, and it calls for patience, flexibility, and resilience on challenging days. But for the right person, it is also deeply rewarding.

In this part-time position, you'll help students build confidence, develop independence, and fully participate in their school community, all while working alongside a collaborative team of teachers and specialists. Your schedule follows the school day, with time off for school breaks, and your work will matter every single day. The connections you build with students will last well beyond the classroom. If you're compassionate, steady under pressure, and ready to take on meaningful work that truly changes lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Schedule and Placement:

We offer flexible part-time schedules (20–30 hours per week) during the 10-month school year. Choose the option that fits your life:

Full-day option: Work 2–3 eight-hour days per week, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Half-day option: Work mornings only or afternoons only, up to 5 days per week.

Assistants are placed in an elementary school based on their availability and the needs of each building. Assignments and responsibilities may vary depending on student needs and district staffing priorities. Flexibility to support different students, classrooms, and buildings may be necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide direct support to students with disabilities under the direction of licensed professional staff and classroom teachers.
Assist with classroom activities, including individual and small-group instruction, academic tasks, and teacher-developed educational plans.
Support students with physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive needs across various educational environments.
Assist students with activities of daily living, including dressing, eating, personal hygiene, toileting, and other personal care needs while maintaining student dignity, privacy, and independence.
Provide physical assistance with positioning, mobility, transfers, and other student care needs as appropriate.
Operate specialized equipment, which may include wheelchair lifts, standing frames, Hoyer lifts, and other adaptive or mobility equipment, following appropriate training and safety procedures.
Support students with mobility needs in accessing classrooms, school facilities, transportation, and community-based learning environments.
Assist students with safely entering and exiting school transportation when needed.
Implement teacher-directed strategies and student support plans, which may include Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), behavior intervention plans, health care plans, and safety plans.
Assist with specialized student needs, which may include therapeutic activities, specialized feedings, and other supports as directed by licensed professionals and in accordance with training.
Support student supervision and participation in various settings, including classrooms, lunchrooms, playgrounds, arrival and dismissal, field trips, and community outings.
Assist teachers and related service providers with activities and strategies designed to promote student learning, development, independence, and inclusion.
Provide support during student assessments and testing as directed.
Monitor and respond appropriately to student behaviors and needs, maintaining a calm, patient, and professional approach during challenging situations.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with teachers, related service providers, school staff, and administrators while maintaining confidentiality.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized learning environment, including cleaning equipment and supplies as needed.
Attend meetings and participate in required training and professional development opportunities.
Actively support the School District of West Allis-West Milwaukee's mission, vision, values, and strategic plan.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to work effectively with students with a wide range of physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive needs.
Patience, empathy, flexibility, and professionalism when supporting students with diverse learning and personal care needs.
Ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately in challenging or unexpected situations.
Strong communication and collaboration skills when working with students, teachers, related service providers, and other staff.
Ability to follow directions, implement teacher-developed plans, and work effectively as part of a collaborative team.
Ability to maintain student confidentiality and adhere to district policies, procedures, and safety guidelines.
Ability to support students in developing independence while respecting individual needs, privacy, and dignity.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to adapt to changing student and building needs.
Ability to work independently when appropriate while maintaining communication with supervising staff.
Willingness to learn and utilize specialized equipment, student support strategies, and required safety procedures.

Terms of Employment:

Non-exempt position.
Part-time employment, generally 20–30 hours per week.
10-month position during the school year.
Schedule and building placement determined based on employee availability and district needs.

Physical Requirements:

Frequent standing, walking, and sitting; occasional stooping, kneeling, or crouching.
Ability to lift and move up to 60 pounds.
Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
Protective gloves may be required when handling bodily fluids.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Typical office and/or school environment.
Primarily indoors, with occasional outdoor supervision.
May include exposure to varying weather conditions during outdoor activities.

Equal Opportunity:

It is the policy of the District that persons seeking employment with the District shall not be discriminated against in employment by reason of their age, race, creed, color, religion, handicap or disability, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sex, citizenship, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, arrest record, conviction record, military service, membership in the National Guard, state defense or reserves, political affiliation, use or nonuse of lawful products off the employer's premises during non working hours, declining to attend a meeting or to participate in any communication about religious matters or political matters, the authorized use of family or medical leave or worker's compensation benefits, genetic information, physical, mental, emotional or learning disability, or any other factor protected by local, state or federal law in all employment practices including terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

Reasonable accommodations shall be made for qualified individuals with a disability, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the District. Requests for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act must be submitted to the Human Resources Department.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Completion of two years of post-secondary education (48 credits), an associate's degree, or satisfaction of Title I Paraprofessional Highly Qualified requirements through an approved alternative pathway, as applicable to the assignment.
Possession of or eligibility for a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)-issued Special Education Educational Assistant license, as required for the assignment.
CPR and First Aid certification (training provided by the District).
Pro-Act certification (training provided by the District).
Previous experience working with individuals with disabilities, children, or students with diverse support needs is preferred.

West Allis-West Milwaukee School District

Special Education Assistant Float (Elementary) - Part-Time

About the Job