Special Education Instructional Assistant

Major Duties/Essential Functions

• Works with the teacher to provide instructional or developmental activities for a general or special education population.
• Performs remedial instruction or tasks to reinforce learning initiated by a teacher or professional staff.
• Observes and assists individual students experiencing difficulties.
• Aids in the development of individualized programs.
• Prepares a variety of instructional materials and reports, as requested.
• Works with individuals or small groups of students.
• Reads to students, listens to their recitations, and collaborates on reading strategies.
• Facilitates activities with groups of students engaged in drawing, writing, independent study, or other work.
• Aids in teaching classes of basic skills and may monitor a computer, writing, or other technology laboratories under general supervision.
• Aids in instructing students with special needs under the supervision of the teacher, including monitoring students on independent work.
• Supervises and monitors students in off-site vocational training and community travel settings, as assigned.
• Helps maintain order and assists with managing the behavior of students, including behavior intervention plans and crisis management.
• Proctors tests and examinations, corrects and scores objective tests.
• Maintains inventory and distributes textbooks and other instructional materials.
• Aids in continuing instructional activities during the teacher's absence from the classroom.
• Aids in routine care, including personal hygiene, feeding and other tasks, as required or requested.
• On occasion, serves as a substitute teacher.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

• This job operates in a school environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate.
• This role routinely uses standard classroom equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, projectors, smartboards, filing cabinets, and assistive technology.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to regularly stand, sit, walk, bend, and/or kneel.
• This job requires lifting up to 35 lbs., and occasional lifting/moving up to 70 lbs. and/or use of a Hoyer lift.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
• One (1) year of experience working with children as a volunteer or paid employee, or equivalent participation in any teacher education introductory course with the provision of documented support.
• Advanced degree(s) beyond the minimum degree requirement in a relevant field may be considered for some experience.
• For assignments to Title I schools: Associate degree; OR Two years of college (48 credit hours); OR Meet a rigorous standard of quality demonstrated through a state or local academic assessment knowledge of, and the ability to assist with, reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.
• Knowledge and understanding of child growth and development.
• Knowledge of instructional procedures and practices applicable to assignment; Knowledge of subject matter reinforcement practices of the classes to which assigned.
• Ability to implement teachers' instructional plans in assigned field.
• Ability to work effectively with students and staff.
• Ability to assist with the implementation of an instructional program and related technology, and to participate in monitoring and ensuring appropriate student behavior.
• Ability to learn and apply the instructional goals and policies of Fairfax County Public Schools.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and to perform all required tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Preferred Qualifications

• For assignments to non-Title I schools: Associate degree; OR Two years of college (48 credit hours); OR Meet a rigorous standard of quality demonstrated through a state or local academic assessment knowledge of, and the ability to assist with, reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.
• Knowledge of, and the ability to assist with, reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.

Salary Grade

[Salary Information]

Classroom Instructional Support Scale-FEU-OP

Salary Range Starting at $31,803

Job Type

Instructional Assistant

Instructional Level

Elementary

Contract Length

191-Day Contract

Percent Full-Time

40%

Pay Frequency

Monthly