Elementary Instructional Assistant - Empower Inclusion & Learning

J.L. Francis Elementary School; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

J.L. Francis Elementary School in Richmond, VA, a Richmond City Public Schools site, is seeking an Instructional Assistant (full-time) to support teachers in exceptional education classrooms and one-to-one settings.

The role requires assisting with instructional activities, maintaining records, and supporting students with disabilities. Start date Aug 17, 2026, with a 9.5-month term and duties aligned to 191 days of instruction.

Qualifications

• Passing score on the ParaPro Assessment or Associate’s degree or completion of 60 hours of college credits from an accredited college or university recognized by the Virginia Department of Education.
• A minimum of one year working experience as an instructional assistant preferred.
• Experience working with children with disabilities preferred.
• Excellent communication, organizational, time management and public relations skills are required.
• Must have the ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and demonstrate excellence in business English, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Must have good skills in operating personal computers and related software.
• Must be adaptable to changing priorities, have the ability to work independently and/or with minimum supervision, and the ability to effectively handle multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Have a good knowledge of and understanding of child growth, development and paraprofessional instructional procedures and practices.
• Considerable patience and the ability to work effectively with children with disabilities, young adults and faculty members are essential.
• Must be able to follow written and oral instructions and to perform all required tasks.
• Must have the ability to assist in the implementation of behavioral intervention programs for children with emotional/behavioral disorders and maintain student disability records in a highly confidential manner.
• Special Requirement: Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• If hired, you must complete online autism training within 60 days of start date. For information regarding the training and to complete the training modules please visit, vcuautismcenter.org .

Responsibilities

• Assists student(s) in reinforcing material already presented through special efforts and repetitions.
• Assists student(s) with self-care areas to build independence.
• Prepares and maintains files and reports.
• Assists teacher in performing specific duties as assigned or undertaking specialized tasks.
• Assists the teacher in providing individual and group instruction designed to meet individual needs and supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned workday.
• Reinforces acceptable student behavior in a consistent and positive manner.
• Encourages proper care and use of school facilities, property and equipment and participates in curriculum development programs as required.
• Assists with toileting student(s), changing diapers and personal hygiene.
• Escorts student(s) when necessary and restrains out of control student(s) when necessary.
• Assists student(s) with mobility needs.
• Guides children in working and playing harmoniously with other children.
• Helps to maintain individual records for each student and collects and displays suitable materials for educational displays.
• Performs other related tasks as required.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Public relations skills

Lift up to 50 lbs

PC skills

Education

ParaPro score

Associate’s degree

60 hours college credits

Tools

Personal computers and software

Job description

J.L. Francis Elementary School in Richmond, VA, a Richmond City Public Schools site, is seeking an Instructional Assistant (full-time) to support teachers in exceptional education classrooms and one-to-one settings.

The role requires assisting with instructional activities, maintaining records, and supporting students with disabilities. Start date Aug 17, 2026, with a 9.5-month term and duties aligned to 191 days of instruction.