Instructional Assistant - Exceptional Education

Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts in Richmond, VA is seeking an Instructional Assistant in Exceptional Education to support teachers in an inclusive classroom and one-to-one settings. The role involves reinforcing materials, assisting with self-care, preparing reports, and supervising students during activities.

The position requires ParaPro or an associate degree with 60 college credits and prior experience with students with disabilities is preferred.

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

Communication

Organization

Time management

Public relations

PC skills

Adaptability

Independent work

Behavioral interventions

Education

ParaPro Assessment

Associate’s degree

60 hours college credits

Tools

PC software

Job description

Instructional Assistant - Exceptional Education

Richmond City Public Schools Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts - Richmond, Virginia Open in Google Maps

Richmond City Public Schools Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts - Richmond, Virginia Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Richmond City Public Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5899554

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Aug 24, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Sep 7, 2026

Job Description

Job Title:

Instructional Assistant

Terms of Employment:

9.5-month Support (191 Day, 7 hours)

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Work Location:

Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts

Immediate Supervisor:

School Principal

General Description: The Instructional Assistant a ssists the teacher or designated supervisor with instructional activities in an exceptional education classroom or one-to-one.

Essential Duties and 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.

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.

General Conditions of Work: Work requires frequent standing, sitting, walking, vocal communication for expressing or exchanging ideas, hearing to perceive information at a normal spoken word level and visual acuity for preparing and analyzing written or computer data.

START DATE:Based on School Board approval

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $30,600 to $47,058 Per Year

Contact Information

• Thomas Devaughn , Assistant Principal
• Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]