“If one caring adult can change a story, be that adult at Paladin.”
Join a relationship-first team where labels come last and students come first. Paladin Career & Technical High School is seeking an Educational Support Professional (ESP) to join our team. This position works closely with students receiving special education services, providing academic, behavioral, and emotional support in a relationship-first, trauma-informed environment. This role also includes part-time driving responsibilities in a school-issued van.
At Paladin, we do things differently. We’re a public charter high school serving students aged 14–21 through seminar-based, project-based learning, experiential education, and personalized support. If you’re patient, flexible, equity-driven, and ready to help students build the skills they need to succeed in school and life, then we’d love to meet you.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Regularly required to walk throughout a building and may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance or push up to 90 pounds, and may be required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:

Studies have shown that women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.

Educational Support Professional (90%)

• Work with students one-on-one or in small groups to address soft skills that will help students improve their behavior and engage in the learning community in a healthy and productive way
• Monitor the cafeteria and assist as needed during lunch with students and staff
• Manage and monitor the behavior of students through programs in conjunction with administration, teachers, and the student support team. Assist in other student management by facilitating problem-solving with students. Individual behavior management programs take priority over all other responsibilities.
• Potential of working 1:1 with students on Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
• Assist Special Education Case Managers with the implementation of student behavior plans and IEPs.
• Implement student-specific interventions and supports in consultation with Special Education Case Managers.
• Implement evidence-based procedures in consultation with Special Education Case Managers.
• Assist students in developing soft skills, such as communication, mentoring, balancing responsibilities, identifying their own obstacles, problem-solving, and relationship building.
• Prepare and collect data, providing descriptions of behaviors and assisting with individual student data collection.
• Participate in annual, required training activities, to develop skills in specific student interventions and describing the function of student behaviors.
• Provides ongoing academic support to students in coordination with the general education teacher(s) in a Project-Based Learning, Experiential Learning, and Work-Based Learning environment.
• Collaborate with team members on service delivery, due process, and student schedules.
• Attends in-service training, conferences, staff meetings, and parent meetings as required.
• Stays current on all special education legislation, laws, procedures, and policies.
• Adheres to Total Special Education Systems (TSES) Manual in accordance with MN law

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ROLE:

• Work 1:1 and in small groups to support students with IEPs
• Help implement behavior plans and trauma-responsive interventions
• Monitor student progress and support data collection
• Collaborate daily with SPED teachers and the student support team
• Build trust and relationships with high-needs youth
• Drive students in a school vehicle (training provided)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Educational Support Professional (90%)

• Work with students one-on-one or in small groups to address soft skills that will help students improve their behavior and engage in the learning community in a healthy and productive way
• Monitor the cafeteria and assist as needed during lunch with students and staff
• Manage and monitor the behavior of students through programs in conjunction with administration, teachers, and the student support team. Assist in other student management by facilitating problem-solving with students. Individual behavior management programs take priority over all other responsibilities.
• Potential of working 1:1 with students on Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
• Assist Special Education Case Managers with the implementation of student behavior plans and IEPs.
• Implement student-specific interventions and supports in consultation with Special Education Case Managers.
• Implement evidence-based procedures in consultation with Special Education Case Managers.
• Assist students in developing soft skills, such as communication, mentoring, balancing responsibilities, identifying their own obstacles, problem-solving, and relationship building.
• Prepare and collect data, providing descriptions of behaviors and assisting with individual student data collection.
• Participate in annual, required training activities, to develop skills in specific student interventions and describing the function of student behaviors.
• Provides ongoing academic support to students in coordination with the general education teacher(s) in a Project-Based Learning, Experiential Learning, and Work-Based Learning environment.
• Collaborate with team members on service delivery, due process, and student schedules.
• Attends in-service training, conferences, staff meetings, and parent meetings as required.
• Stays current on all special education legislation, laws, procedures, and policies.
• Adheres to Total Special Education Systems (TSES) Manual in accordance with MN law.

Type III Driver Responsibilities (10%)

• To safely and efficiently transport students to and from their school site and/or special events. Successful candidates must have the skills and aptitude to operate a vehicle safely; enjoy the presence of children; be reliable and punctual; pass a criminal background check.
• Must meet our auto insurer’s driver eligibility (generally 25+) and hold a valid MN driver’s license; no CDL required.

Other

• High level of patience and ability to calmly and clearly redirect and guide high school-age students.
• Demonstrates superior judgment in all aspects of work.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while also being a strong team player.
• Familiarity and comfort with electronic forms of communication, including ready access and responsiveness to e-mail correspondence.
• Other duties as assigned.