Instructional Assistant - Exceptional Education

Cardinal Elementary School; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Cardinal Elementary School in Richmond, VA seeks an Instructional Assistant for an exceptional education classroom. You will support the teacher with individual and small-group instruction, reinforce material, and help students with self-care needs. This 11-month position runs 216 days, 7 hours daily.

The role requires teamwork, patience, ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and completion of autism training within 60 days. Start date July 20, 2026, salary range $34,606 to $53,221.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or 60 college credits with ParaPro passing score.
• Minimum one year as instructional assistant preferred.
• Experience with children with disabilities preferred.
• Excellent communication, organizational and time management skills required.
• Ability to perform basic math and strong business English.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Good PC skills and related software experience.
• Able to handle changing priorities independently with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of child development and paraprofessional instructional procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher with instructional activities in an exceptional education classroom or one-to-one.
• Reinforce material through repetitions and targeted efforts.
• Assist students with self-care to build independence.
• Prepare and maintain files and reports.
• Assist with individual and group instruction and supervise students.
• Reinforce positive behavior and classroom routines.
• Support curriculum development and safe facilities use.
• Assist with mobility, toileting, and personal hygiene.
• Escort students when necessary and manage challenging behavior.
• Maintain student records and display suitable materials.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Public relations skills

Interpersonal skills

Reading/writing/mathematics support

Education

Associate’s degree or 60 college credits

ParaPro Assessment passing score

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

Instructional Assistant - Exceptional Education

Richmond City Public Schools Cardinal Elementary School - Richmond, Virginia Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Richmond City Public Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5929059

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Sep 16, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Jul 20, 2026

Job Description

Job Title:

Instructional Assistant

Terms of Employment:

11-month Support (216 Day, 7 hours)

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Work Location:

Cardinal Elementary School

Immediate Supervisor:

School Principal

General Description:

Duties performed typically in a school setting. Performs professional work providing teaching and/or training services to students in a specialized subject. Work requires frequent standing, sitting, light lifting up to 10 pounds, 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists the teacher or designated supervisor with instructional activities in an exceptional education classroom or one-to-one.
• 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:

• Associate’s degree or completion of 60 hours of college credits from an accredited college or university recognized by the Virginia Department of Education or demonstrated knowledge of and the ability to assist in reading, writing and mathematics instruction by achieving a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment.
• 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.

START DATE:Based on School Board approval

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $34,606 to $53,221 Per Year

Contact Information

• Dr. Abrego , Principal
• Cardinal Elementary School
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]