MSD of Warren Township
Job Title
Instructional Assistant (Special Education: Self-Contained Life)
Position Details Position Type: Support Staff / Life Skills Instructional Assistant
Date Posted: 12/15/2025
Location: Raymond Park Intermediate and Middle School
Closing Date: Until filled
Summary of Duties Under direct supervision, as a Classroom Instructional Assistant in Special Education, you will provide support to students, assist the teacher, foster an inclusive learning environment, and assist in academic and social development. The role primarily serves in a classroom setting, assisting a Special Education Teacher, and may require physical assistance and flexibility to adapt to changing situations. Work hours align with the school schedule, with occasional school meetings and events.
Responsibilities
Provide one‑on‑one or small‑group assistance to students with special needs, helping them with academic, organization, and communication skills.
Assist students in achieving goals requiring physical and emotional support, navigating classroom, cafeteria, and school‑related experiences as outlined by their IEP and teacher direction.
Participate in community‑based instruction, supporting school and community jobs and skill development.
Implement behavior‑management strategies following Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to support students’ emotional and behavioral development.
Ensure the safety and well‑being of students at all times, following established protocols for medical and emergency situations.
Receive NCI training to promote de‑escalation and safety.
Assist students with daily living skills (dressing, eating, lavatory needs, grooming, medical needs, personal hygiene) as appropriate.
Familiarize students with assistive‑technology tools and aid them in using these devices to enhance learning and communication.
Collaborate with the teacher to prepare instructional materials, adapt curriculum, and create a supportive classroom environment.
Collect and record data on student progress and behavior for IEP progress reports and meetings.
Reinforce behaviors that demonstrate students’ successful achievement and growth of identified goals.
Facilitate the inclusion of students with disabilities into general‑education classroom activities.
Maintain open and effective communication with teachers and other specialists involved.
Stay informed about best practices in special education and participate in training opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Additional Duties
Perform related duties as directed.
Qualifications
Education/Training:
High School diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree or higher, or at least 60 semester hours, preferred.
Experience:
Previous vocational training or work experience with school‑age children with special needs preferred.
Certifications & Licenses:
Must pass Expanded Criminal History Check and Expanded Child Protection Index Check; meet ParaPro requirements (associate’s degree or two years of college or Pass the ParaPro Assessment).
Other:
Ability to perform essential functions, meet performance aptitudes, and fulfill physical/sensory/environmental requirements with reasonable accommodations.
Skills & Aptitudes
Patience, empathy, and strong communication skills.
Ability to follow IEPs and adapt instructional strategies accordingly.
Physical ability to assist students with mobility and personal care needs if necessary.
Flexibility.
Data utilization skills.
Human interaction skills.
Equipment, machinery, tools, and materials utilization.
Verbal aptitude.
Mathematical aptitude (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, percentages, fractions, graphs).
Functional reasoning.
Situational reasoning.
Physical Requirements Tasks involve exerting very heavy physical effort, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy objects up to 100 pounds or more.
Sensory Requirements Tasks require visual perception, discrimination, oral communication ability, and the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.
Environmental Factors Regular exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as violence when working with children with severe emotional or intellectual disabilities.
Benefits The Instructional Assistant is paid on the “Instructional Assistants” salary schedule for the designated program, level 3, and is eligible for benefits on the “Support Staff” benefits schedule. Starting pay $17.14 per hour.
Other Information MSD Warren_Benefit Guide 2026.pdf
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Position Details Position Type: Support Staff / Life Skills Instructional Assistant
Date Posted: 12/15/2025
Location: Raymond Park Intermediate and Middle School
Closing Date: Until filled
Summary of Duties Under direct supervision, as a Classroom Instructional Assistant in Special Education, you will provide support to students, assist the teacher, foster an inclusive learning environment, and assist in academic and social development. The role primarily serves in a classroom setting, assisting a Special Education Teacher, and may require physical assistance and flexibility to adapt to changing situations. Work hours align with the school schedule, with occasional school meetings and events.
Responsibilities
Provide one‑on‑one or small‑group assistance to students with special needs, helping them with academic, organization, and communication skills.
Assist students in achieving goals requiring physical and emotional support, navigating classroom, cafeteria, and school‑related experiences as outlined by their IEP and teacher direction.
Participate in community‑based instruction, supporting school and community jobs and skill development.
Implement behavior‑management strategies following Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to support students’ emotional and behavioral development.
Ensure the safety and well‑being of students at all times, following established protocols for medical and emergency situations.
Receive NCI training to promote de‑escalation and safety.
Assist students with daily living skills (dressing, eating, lavatory needs, grooming, medical needs, personal hygiene) as appropriate.
Familiarize students with assistive‑technology tools and aid them in using these devices to enhance learning and communication.
Collaborate with the teacher to prepare instructional materials, adapt curriculum, and create a supportive classroom environment.
Collect and record data on student progress and behavior for IEP progress reports and meetings.
Reinforce behaviors that demonstrate students’ successful achievement and growth of identified goals.
Facilitate the inclusion of students with disabilities into general‑education classroom activities.
Maintain open and effective communication with teachers and other specialists involved.
Stay informed about best practices in special education and participate in training opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Additional Duties
Perform related duties as directed.
Qualifications
Education/Training:
High School diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree or higher, or at least 60 semester hours, preferred.
Experience:
Previous vocational training or work experience with school‑age children with special needs preferred.
Certifications & Licenses:
Must pass Expanded Criminal History Check and Expanded Child Protection Index Check; meet ParaPro requirements (associate’s degree or two years of college or Pass the ParaPro Assessment).
Other:
Ability to perform essential functions, meet performance aptitudes, and fulfill physical/sensory/environmental requirements with reasonable accommodations.
Skills & Aptitudes
Patience, empathy, and strong communication skills.
Ability to follow IEPs and adapt instructional strategies accordingly.
Physical ability to assist students with mobility and personal care needs if necessary.
Flexibility.
Data utilization skills.
Human interaction skills.
Equipment, machinery, tools, and materials utilization.
Verbal aptitude.
Mathematical aptitude (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, percentages, fractions, graphs).
Functional reasoning.
Situational reasoning.
Physical Requirements Tasks involve exerting very heavy physical effort, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy objects up to 100 pounds or more.
Sensory Requirements Tasks require visual perception, discrimination, oral communication ability, and the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.
Environmental Factors Regular exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as violence when working with children with severe emotional or intellectual disabilities.
Benefits The Instructional Assistant is paid on the “Instructional Assistants” salary schedule for the designated program, level 3, and is eligible for benefits on the “Support Staff” benefits schedule. Starting pay $17.14 per hour.
Other Information MSD Warren_Benefit Guide 2026.pdf
#J-18808-Ljbffr