OPT Special Education Paraprofessional Jobs
Special Education Paraprofessional jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in special education, psychology, or a related field. Most positions are in public school districts, which qualify as government employers and routinely hire OPT workers. STEM OPT extension does not apply to this role.
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Get Access To All JobsSCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Special Education paraeducator assists one or more members of the instructional staff in carrying out his/her job responsibilities by performing instructional or non-instruction tasks for disabled students. Instructional tasks are performed under the teacher's supervision. Noninstructional tasks include clerical, monitorial technical, and other general duties.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
A. Instructional
- Works with individual or small groups of students to reinforce skills/concepts.
- Provides instructional leadership when working with substitute teacher.
- Assists with specific skills (e.g., interpreting, etc.) as required by exceptionality.
- Prepares materials to help meet individual differences such as rewriting reading materials for less able readers, taping reading assignments for dictated materials, etc.
B. Non-Instructional
- Helps organize classroom at beginning of the school year.
- Arranges room for instructional activities.
- Becomes familiar with and follows all regulations and policies of the school and school board.
- Attends faculty meetings when requested.
- Helps provide assistance for the physical needs of students with disabilities after proper training is provided.
- Helps provide assistance for the medical needs of students with disabilities, e.g., catheterization, etc., after proper training is provided.
- Attends and participates in pre-service and inservice workshops as mandated by Board policy.
- Follows daily schedule, informing assigned teacher of any changes made by the administrator in work schedule.
- Collects monies, takes attendance and completes absence and illness reports.
- Inventories, labels, and files materials which pertain to the individual assistant's assignment.
- Corrects objective tests and written assignments, records information on test booklets, in roll books and on health forms.
- Assists with snack time.
- Helps students with personal possessions; accompanies students to office, first aid room, rest room, etc.
- Maintains discipline standards according to the regulations of the school system and the assigned teacher(s).
- Relieves assigned teachers for conferences and emergencies.
- Obtains, secures, sets up and operates A-V equipment and other instructional materials.
- Sets up centers for work materials, listening stations, etc.
- Performs assigned limited non-instructional duties such as lunchroom supervision, playground supervision, bus duty, and other tasks assigned by the principal.
- Performs all other related duties as required by the principal.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/HOURS WORKED:
- A Special Education paraeducator is required to work in a school setting, climate controlled environment adhering to School Board energy policy and in the outside areas which are subject to climate extremes.
- Work day is consistent with teacher hours at assigned school.
- Work day may be adjusted for Board approved summer schedule/emergencies.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
- Communication must be in standard English both orally and in writing.
- Communication must be commensurate with age and skill of listener.
- Must be able to accurately compile and access data, summarize information, and provide written report to supervisor.
- Telephone, copy machine, classroom computer, audio-visual aids.
PHYSICAL INVOLVEMENT:
- Sitting is required part of each work day.
- Standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting is sometimes required.
- Physically transfer, restrain or position students.
- Transfer and maneuver equipment when required.
- Able to provide own transportation to school or workshops sites.
- Must be able to perform non-complex healthcare procedures if required for those students in need of such services.
MENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
- Must understand written and verbal instructions from teacher or administrators.
- Must be able to become familiar with all curriculum in assigned classes.
- Must have the ability to work independently with students.
HUMAN RELATIONS INVOLVEMENT:
- Must be able to work compatibly with students, teachers, school personnel, and parents.
- Must be able to respond positively to supervision and to accept suggestions for improvement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- An Associate Degree OR
- Forty-eight (48) hours of approved college courses OR
- Pass ParaPro Praxis and have high school diploma and/or equivalency
- Eighteen (18) years of age or older
- Twenty-one (21) years of age or older for employment in high school
- Must agree to participate in paraeducator training and enroll in sign language course if assigned to hearing impaired class.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous experience working with children.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Special Education paraeducator assists one or more members of the instructional staff in carrying out his/her job responsibilities by performing instructional or non-instruction tasks for disabled students. Instructional tasks are performed under the teacher's supervision. Noninstructional tasks include clerical, monitorial technical, and other general duties.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
A. Instructional
- Works with individual or small groups of students to reinforce skills/concepts.
- Provides instructional leadership when working with substitute teacher.
- Assists with specific skills (e.g., interpreting, etc.) as required by exceptionality.
- Prepares materials to help meet individual differences such as rewriting reading materials for less able readers, taping reading assignments for dictated materials, etc.
B. Non-Instructional
- Helps organize classroom at beginning of the school year.
- Arranges room for instructional activities.
- Becomes familiar with and follows all regulations and policies of the school and school board.
- Attends faculty meetings when requested.
- Helps provide assistance for the physical needs of students with disabilities after proper training is provided.
- Helps provide assistance for the medical needs of students with disabilities, e.g., catheterization, etc., after proper training is provided.
- Attends and participates in pre-service and inservice workshops as mandated by Board policy.
- Follows daily schedule, informing assigned teacher of any changes made by the administrator in work schedule.
- Collects monies, takes attendance and completes absence and illness reports.
- Inventories, labels, and files materials which pertain to the individual assistant's assignment.
- Corrects objective tests and written assignments, records information on test booklets, in roll books and on health forms.
- Assists with snack time.
- Helps students with personal possessions; accompanies students to office, first aid room, rest room, etc.
- Maintains discipline standards according to the regulations of the school system and the assigned teacher(s).
- Relieves assigned teachers for conferences and emergencies.
- Obtains, secures, sets up and operates A-V equipment and other instructional materials.
- Sets up centers for work materials, listening stations, etc.
- Performs assigned limited non-instructional duties such as lunchroom supervision, playground supervision, bus duty, and other tasks assigned by the principal.
- Performs all other related duties as required by the principal.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/HOURS WORKED:
- A Special Education paraeducator is required to work in a school setting, climate controlled environment adhering to School Board energy policy and in the outside areas which are subject to climate extremes.
- Work day is consistent with teacher hours at assigned school.
- Work day may be adjusted for Board approved summer schedule/emergencies.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
- Communication must be in standard English both orally and in writing.
- Communication must be commensurate with age and skill of listener.
- Must be able to accurately compile and access data, summarize information, and provide written report to supervisor.
- Telephone, copy machine, classroom computer, audio-visual aids.
PHYSICAL INVOLVEMENT:
- Sitting is required part of each work day.
- Standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting is sometimes required.
- Physically transfer, restrain or position students.
- Transfer and maneuver equipment when required.
- Able to provide own transportation to school or workshops sites.
- Must be able to perform non-complex healthcare procedures if required for those students in need of such services.
MENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
- Must understand written and verbal instructions from teacher or administrators.
- Must be able to become familiar with all curriculum in assigned classes.
- Must have the ability to work independently with students.
HUMAN RELATIONS INVOLVEMENT:
- Must be able to work compatibly with students, teachers, school personnel, and parents.
- Must be able to respond positively to supervision and to accept suggestions for improvement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- An Associate Degree OR
- Forty-eight (48) hours of approved college courses OR
- Pass ParaPro Praxis and have high school diploma and/or equivalency
- Eighteen (18) years of age or older
- Twenty-one (21) years of age or older for employment in high school
- Must agree to participate in paraeducator training and enroll in sign language course if assigned to hearing impaired class.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous experience working with children.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Special Education Paraprofessional
Target public school districts over private schools
Public school districts are government employers and tend to have established HR processes for hiring OPT workers. Private and charter schools vary widely in their familiarity with work authorization, which can slow down or complicate the hiring process.
Clarify your OPT dates upfront in applications
Paraprofessional hiring cycles follow the academic calendar. If your OPT expires mid-school year, flag it early. Districts need time to plan, and some will only hire if your authorization covers at least one full semester or school year.
Align your degree field to the role description
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your degree. Special education, psychology, applied behavior analysis, and child development degrees all qualify. If your degree is adjacent, be prepared to explain the connection clearly in your cover letter.
Ask HR about their experience with EAD cards
Many school district HR departments are familiar with Social Security Numbers but less so with EAD-based work authorization. Bring a printed copy of your EAD and be ready to walk HR through I-9 completion, especially if it is your first paraprofessional role.
Factor in required certifications during your OPT window
Some districts require paraprofessional certification or a passing score on a state assessment before your start date. Check your target state's requirements early so credentialing timelines do not conflict with when your OPT work authorization begins.
Use Migrate Mate to find districts actively hiring OPT workers
Migrate Mate filters paraprofessional roles by OPT eligibility, saving you time you would otherwise spend screening job postings that exclude work visa holders. Browsing by location also helps you identify districts with a track record of sponsoring international candidates.
Special Education Paraprofessional OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Special Education Paraprofessional job qualify for F-1 OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. Special education, psychology, applied behavior analysis, child development, and related fields all support eligibility. Your DSO must authorize OPT on your SEVIS record before you begin working, and your job duties should reflect your academic training to stay compliant with OPT requirements.
Can I work as a paraprofessional on OPT without a teaching license?
Yes. Most paraprofessional positions do not require a teaching license, though some states and districts require a paraprofessional certification or a passing score on a state assessment like the ParaPro. Check your target state's requirements before applying, since credentialing timelines can affect your start date and your available OPT work period.
Does this role qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
No. Special Education Paraprofessional is not a STEM-designated occupation under the Department of Homeland Security's STEM OPT list. If your degree is not in a qualifying STEM field, your standard OPT period is 12 months. Students whose degrees are in qualifying STEM fields should verify that the specific role and employer meet E-Verify and job duty requirements for the extension.
How do I find Special Education Paraprofessional jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so you can browse paraprofessional roles filtered by work authorization type. Public school districts are generally the most reliable employers for OPT workers in this field. Searching by district size and location on Migrate Mate helps you identify employers with established international hiring processes.
What happens to my OPT authorization if the school year ends and I am between contracts?
OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment in total across your authorization period. Gaps between school year contracts count against that limit. If you are not renewed for the following year, that gap accumulates. Plan your job search to minimize breaks between employment, and contact your DSO immediately if you expect a period without a qualifying position.