Instructional Assistant - Friendsville Elementary School - GCPS

Location: Friendsville Elementary School – Kindergarten
Full-time, 10-month position (187-day work year, 7.6 hours per day; schedule may vary based on system needs). Non-exempt support personnel under Bargaining Unit 3.

About the Role

The Instructional Assistant supports the instructional program by supervising and instructing students, documenting progress, modeling appropriate behaviors, and providing clerical support to teachers.

Qualifications

• Associate Degree, 48 hours of college credit, or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Basic math proficiency
• Ability to present information to others
• Ability to understand, explain, and use data
• Ability to follow complex, multi-step written and oral instructions
• Ability to organize, supervise, and work with individuals or groups of students, teachers, and other stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team, and function without distractions
• Excellent stakeholder service skills (students, staff, administration, parents, public, community agencies)
• Professionalism and strong work ethic
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Ability to multitask
• Physical ability to stand, sit, walk, climb, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, push, pull, and carry objects averaging 50–75 lbs.
• Ability to lift and assist students with special healthcare needs, including toileting
• Good hearing, vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision
• Significant dexterity of hands and fingers
• Ability to serve as a positive role model for students, staff, and stakeholders
• Regular and predictable attendance
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations

Preferred Qualifications

• CPR and First Aid certification
• General understanding of child growth, development, and behavior characteristics
• Knowledge of instructional and behavioral strategies

Responsibilities

• Assist students, individually and/or in small groups, with classroom activities, assignments, and materials under the direction of a certified teacher
• Supervise students in various settings (classroom, hallway, restroom, cafeteria, field trips, etc.)
• Report and record observations and incidents
• Communicate with teachers and/or parents as necessary
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Perform clerical duties and responsibilities
• Respond immediately and appropriately to emergency situations (e.g., injuries, fights, elopement)
• Take all appropriate safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Attend and actively participate in job-related professional development
• Contribute to the short-term and long-term success of students, staff, school, and the system
• Engage in lifelong learning through workshops, publications, networks, and professional organizations
• Present a courteous and professional demeanor at all times
• Demonstrate proficiency, flexibility, self-motivation, accountability, and a positive attitude
• Perform other duties as assigned

Pay

Salary range: $31,673 – $35,886, in accordance with the established support salary scale (commensurate with education and experience).

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
• Life insurance
• Maryland Retirement and Pension Plan participation
• Optional 403(b) contributions
• Paid sick leave, personal days, and vacation
• Access to wellness programs and employee assistance resources