The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is the state agency that advances public education and libraries in Wisconsin. Our mission is to advance equitable, transformative, and sustainable educational experiences that develop learners, schools, libraries, and communities in Wisconsin. Working at DPI offers you the opportunity to build on our long-standing commitment to public education so that students are learning the skills and knowledge necessary to become contributing members of our communities.

At DPI, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. Equity and inclusion are at the core of our organizational values, which include belonging, integrity, love, humility, and honor. These values guide how we build our teams, develop our leaders, and create a culture that empowers everyone to be their authentic selves. When employees are respected and valued for who they are and staff are held accountable for demonstrating that respect to others, we believe it drives greater engagement and collaboration, ignites creativity and innovation, and fosters connection between teams and those we serve. 

Our employees enjoy an exceptional employee assistance program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote wellness. We have a team-oriented atmosphere.

The Wisconsin School for the Deaf (WSD) in the Division of Access and Opportunity is currently seeking applicants for a full-time, school year (80% full time equivalency) Educational Assistant position. This position will be filled at either the entry or objective level, based on qualifications. WSD is a residential school that provides educational services to children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind, as well as support to their families and local education agencies (LEAs).

This position plays an important role in supporting students within a bilingual-bicultural, ASL-immersive school community. With low student-to-staff ratios, educational assistants have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students while supporting their academic, behavioral, social, and communication needs alongside teachers and support staff. If you enjoy working in a collaborative environment and helping students reach their full potential, we encourage you to apply.

The educational assistant provides instructional and program support services to students and/or instructional staff at WSD. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting teachers with classroom instruction, assessments, supervision, educational materials, technology, and daily classroom operations and providing instructional, behavioral, and personal support to students in accordance with IEPs;

• Providing supervision and instruction to students in daily living skills, behavior management, recreational activities, and structured indoor and outdoor programs during school, before/after school, lunch, and dormitory settings as assigned;

• Participating in required professional development, training, meetings, and performance evaluations to maintain compliance and support effective student services; and 

• Maintaining a safe, inclusive, and compliant learning environment by following health and safety procedures, reporting required incidents and concerns, adhering to mandated reporting requirements, and supporting school-wide and individual student safety practices.

This position is in the progressive classification series of Educational Assistant. The starting salary will be $19.36 per hour (approximately $32,215 annually, prorated for the 0.80 FTE) for Educational Assistant Entry level, or $20.94 per hour (approximately $34,844 annually, prorated for the 0.80 FTE) for Educational Assistant Objective level. For current and eligible former State employees, compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan in effect at the time of hire. 

This position is in pay schedule 06, range 10 for the Entry level and pay schedule 06, range 11 for the Objective level. The level, entry or objective, will be determined following the interview based on qualifications. 

 A one-year probationary period will be required.

This position offers excellent benefits. The State of Wisconsin is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Special notes:  This is a full-time, school-year position with potential opportunities to work during select summer programs, when available. The typical hours for this position are generally between 6:15am and 3:30pm. Exact schedules will be discussed during the interview process and may occasionally vary to accommodate extracurricular activities or operational needs. 

Candidates must be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) upon hire. An American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) rating level of at least 2+ by the end of probation is required.

Candidates must be licensed or eligible for licensure as a Special Education Program Aide (070) with the Department of Public Instruction.

For more information on licensure requirements and licensure application procedures, please refer to the following DPI resources:

• Special Education Program Aide (070)
• Educator Licensing Overview
• Apply for an Educator License
• Apply for an Educator License (ELO Portal)

A valid driver’s license is required upon appointment (unless exempt due to reasonable accommodation.)

The results from this recruitment will be used to fill future vacancies as they become available.

Remote Work: This position is not eligible for remote work and requires the employee to be onsite at their headquarters at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf during all regular working hours.

Headquarters: The position is headquartered at the WI School for the Deaf located at 309 West Walworth Avenue in Delavan, WI. Reimbursement for traveling to or from the employee’s headquarters is not provided (e.g., mileage, meals, parking, lodging, etc.).

Pre-hire requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of hire. A tuberculosis screen will be required prior to start.

Legal authorization: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., without DPI sponsorship). The Department of Public Instruction does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.

Please address the following in your resume and your supporting documentation.

A minimally qualified applicant must:

• Have experience working with students in an educational setting.
• Have American Sign Language fluency. 
• Be licensed or have eligibility for licensure as a Special Education Program Aide (070) with the Department of Public Instruction

Please note that a college degree is not required for this position.

A preferred candidate will have experience working with deaf and hard of hearing students in a classroom in a residential school setting.

For this position, please submit an updated resume and support documentation. Review our Application Tips page on the DPI website for additional guidance.

Upload a copy of your licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Special Education Program Aide (070) with the Department of Public Instruction. Please upload these documents in Step 5 of 6 labeled “Supporting Documentation.”

Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the process. References will be requested from top candidates once interviews have taken place. 

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.  Once you have applied, please send an email indicating your interest in being considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program to the HR staff listed in the​​ job posting.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Questions? Please contact the recruiter at:
Maria Butters, DPI Human Resources, maria.butters@dpi.wi.gov 

Applications will be accepted until the needs of the Department are met. Applications will next be reviewed after Monday, August 31, 2026. If you previously applied, you need not reapply.