Instructional Assistant - Special Education Life Skills

Instructional Assistant – Special Education Life Skills

Job  | Posted: 5/28/2026 |

Location:

Creston Intermediate and Middle School

Job Title
:
Instructional Assistant (Special

Education:

Self‑Contained Life)

FLSA Classification
:
Non‑exempt, hourly employee.

Work Days
: 180 days (school days)

Standard Hours
: 7 hours per day (not including a 30‑minute unpaid meal break)

Work Year
:
Scheduled to work all school days.

Salary
:
Starting pay $17.14 per hour, on the Instructional Assistants salary schedule for program level 3, eligible for support staff benefits after 90 days.

Reports To
:
One or more teachers;
Instructional Assistants and teachers report to the building principal or designee.

Under direct supervision, the Instructional Assistant will support a Special Education teacher in providing a positive and inclusive learning environment for students with diverse learning needs. Duties include assisting students academically, socially, and with daily living skills, implementing behavior management strategies, and maintaining student safety.

• Student Support
  • Provide one‑on‑one or small group assistance with academic, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Support students in achieving their goals and navigating classroom, cafeteria, and school‑related experiences as directed by IEPs.
  • Participate in community‑based instruction and skill development activities.
• Behavioral Support and Safety
  • Implement behavior management strategies per IEPs to support emotional and behavioral development.
  • Ensure student safety, following protocols for medical and emergency situations.
  • Receive NCI training to promote de‑escalation and safety.
  • Assist with daily living skills such as dressing, eating, lavatory needs, grooming, medical needs, and personal hygiene.
• Assistive Technology
  • Introduce students to assistive technology tools and aid their use to enhance learning and communication.
• Classroom Preparation
  • Collaborate with the teacher to prepare instructional materials, adapt curriculum, and create a supportive classroom environment.
• Data Tracking
  • Collect and record data on student progress and behavior for IEP reports and meetings.
  • Reinforce behaviors that demonstrate achievement and growth of identified goals.
• Inclusion
  • Facilitate inclusion of students with disabilities into general education classroom activities, ensuring equal curriculum access.
• Communication
  • Maintain open and effective communication with teachers and other specialists involved in students' education.
• Professional Development
  • Stay informed about best practices in special education and participate in training opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or designee.

• Patience, empathy, and strong communication skills.
• Ability to follow IEPs and adapt instructional strategies.
• Physical ability to assist students with mobility and personal care needs.
• Flexibility.

• Data Utilization
  :
  Evaluate, audit, and assess data using established criteria.
• Human Interaction
  :
  Assist students and staff with specialized therapeutic or physical care plans.
• Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization
  :
  Operate special‑needs equipment.
• Verbal Aptitude
  :
  Use diverse reference, descriptive, and advisory data.
• Mathematical Aptitude
  :
  Perform basic arithmetic and calculation of percentages and decimals.
• Functional Reasoning
  :
  Apply principles of motivation, incentive, and leadership; exercise independent judgment in problem resolution.
• Situational Reasoning
  :
  Exercise judgment and creativity in evaluating information against criteria.

The role involves heavy physical effort, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects up to 100 pounds.

Tasks require visual perception and discrimination; some require oral communication and auditory perception.

Work may involve exposure to adverse conditions such as violence when working with children with severe emotional or intellectual disabilities.

Postings current as of 6/1/2026. This job description may be revised as needed.