Instructional Assistant

Michigan Association of School Boards; Muskegon (MI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) seeks an Instructional Assistant to support students with significant disabilities under the supervision of classroom teachers and the Student Services Department. The role involves assisting with pre-academic and academic instruction, self-care, behavior management, data collection, and collaboration with families.

Minimum qualifications include an Associate’s degree or better, and preferred knowledge of TCI and Microsoft Office suite.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or better (or ability to pass Work Keys).
• Ability to read and comprehend written program plans and instructions.
• Ability to assist with student behavior plans and implement supports (TCI if needed).
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work under supervision and collaborate with staff and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct assistance and training to students in pre-academic, academic, self-care, and vocational areas.
• Assist with preparing instructional materials for lessons.
• Support students with self-care needs (feeding, toileting, etc.).
• Monitor and support behavioral management as directed by the teacher.
• Collect and analyze student data for progress monitoring.
• Attend parent/teacher conferences when requested.
• Follow schedules and collaborate with Wesley School staff.
• Uphold district conduct codes and policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the classroom teacher.
• Work in MAISD classrooms or community sites as required.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Reading comprehension

Behavior support

Collaboration

Flexibility to physical requirements

Education

Associate’s degree or better

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Google Drive

Board Maker

Tienet Service Capture

Job description

Deadline: November 7, 2026
District/Organization: Muskegon Area ISD
Position/Type: Teacher, full time

MUSKEGON AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

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JOB TITLE: Instructional Assistant

CLASSIFICATION: Hourly

REPORTS TO: Classroom Teacher(s), Student Services Department, Administration

SUPERVISES: Not applicable

TERMS

This position is a 194 or 211 total paid days position offering full family medical, dental, and vision benefits. Dental, vision, and life insurance are paid by the district at no cost to the employee. Personal business days, holidays, and sick time paid. Retirement through the Office of Retirement Services (Pension Plus or Defined Contribution).

SALARY RANGE

This position is on the Centerbased Instructional Assistant scale, $16.59-26.15 per hour.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION

Instructional Assistants work under the supervision of, and at the discretion of, classroom teacher, support staff and administration to provide a range of supportive services to special education students. These services may include assistance and instruction in self-care skills, academics, pre-vocational and vocational skills, life skills, therapeutic intervention and behavioral management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. No physical or mental restrictions that would, with reasonable accommodation, prevent performance of the essential job functions and responsibilities.
• 2. Possession of an Associate’s degree or better, or the ability to successfully pass the Work Keys assessments.
• 3. Ability to read and comprehend written program plans, instructions and other classroom essentials.
• 4. Demonstrated ability to assist with successful implementation of student behavior plans and implement TCI student supports (including physical intervention if needed).
• 5. Strong organizational skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. Understanding of curriculum and instructional supports.
• 2. Demonstrated ability to assist with physical management of students such as Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Level 3 certification or demonstration of physical and emotional capability of successfully completing TCI training at Level 3.
• 3. Working knowledge and abilities in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Drive, Board Maker and Tienet Service Capture.
• 4. Two or more years post high school formal training and/or experience in direct care for students with significant disabilities.
• 5. Two or more years of experience in a special education or comparable training environment.
• 6. Possession of certification in First Aid and CPR.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• 1. Work attendance is essential.
• 2. At the direction of the teacher, provides direct assistance and training to students in areas including, but not necessarily limited to:
• a) Pre-academic and academic instruction
• b) Pre-vocational and vocational instruction
• c) Self-care skills
• e) Therapeutic programming
• f) Behavioral management
• 3. Assists the classroom teacher in the preparation of instructional materials.
• 4. Assists students in meeting their immediate self-care needs such as feeding, toileting and managing difficult student behavior.
• 5. Reports problems and concerns regarding students to the teacher or other designated authority.
• 6. Assists with student data collection and analysis.
• 7. At the discretion of the teacher, attends and participates in parent/teacher conferences
• 8. Follows a flexible schedule and works collaboratively with all Wesley School students and staff
• 9. Upholds the Code of Conduct established for Wesley School staff.
• 10. Performs such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as may be assigned by the classroom teacher.

NOTABLE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• 1. Standing/Walking up to 6 hours per day
• 2. Sitting up to 1 hour per day
• 3. Lifting up to 35 pounds 2 to 3 times per hour for 7 hours
• 4. Fine motor skills required to do things such as write, pick up small objects, assist student with buckles and snaps
• 5. Gross motor skills required to do things such as shift weight from foot to foot while balancing a load with hands and arms, lift large objects, and lift limbs of student

May be required to pass a MAISD-paid physical examination and/or back x-ray before an unconditional offer of employment can be made.

TYPICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

Most work is accomplished in a classroom environment, at community job sites or in a community based instructional site.

EVALUATION

Instructional Assistants are evaluated according to Board policy and the terms of the current bargained agreement.

CREDENTIALS, SPECIAL SKILLS OR KNOWLEDGE,

EXPERIENCE AND OTHER EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS POSITION:

• 1. Interpersonal Skills – Strong interpersonal skills are vital to ensure effective relationships with the teacher, other team members and parents and students.

WORK LOCATION(S):

Work may be performed in any centralized special education classroom operated by the MAISD, at community-based instructional sites, or at community job placement sites.

TRAVEL/OVERTIME EXPECTATIONS:

Overtime may be occasionally required and is paid according to the applicable bargained agreement. Travel may be periodically necessary to and from instructional sites or to meetings or conferences in the area.

It is the policy of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District that no staff member, candidate for employment, program participant, or recipient of services shall experience discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity) disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively “Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Inquiries related to issues of discrimination on the basis of disability should be directed to the Director for Special Education at [phone]. All other discrimination inquiries or requests for special accommodations to participate in a program, event, or activity should be directed to the Associate Superintendent for Human Services at [phone].