Instructional Assistant/Job Coach

Sylvania; King of Prussia (PA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Merion Area School District seeks an Instructional Assistant/Job Coach for the 2026-2027 school year to support students within identified special populations. The role covers collaboration with teachers and school staff to implement IEPs, data-driven instruction, and transition activities.

The position focuses on intensive assistance, adaptive skills, behavior management, and prevocational training in a safe learning environment, with confidentiality and teamwork at the core.

Qualifications

• Minimum of forty-eight (48) post-secondary credits, associate's degree, or Bureau of Special Education Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators.
• Demonstrates ability in Intensive Teaching when needed
• Familiarity with specialized curriculum materials and procedures for data collation, re-teaching, positive behavior reinforcement, and crisis intervention
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible in working with others.
• Is able to establish rapport with students of diverse backgrounds.
• Possesses a high level of initiative and is able to be flexible and motivated
• Demonstrates ability to operate simple tools and machines that allow students to access education
• Demonstrates a willingness to accept direction and abide by school and District procedures and policies.
• Possesses some knowledge of the general principles of learning and child development as they apply to the exceptional child.
• Possesses the patience and understanding to offer support and direction to children with behavioral difficulties.
• Possesses some knowledge of curriculum and instructional materials.
• Ability to be flexible, self-directed, and motivated.
• Original certificates of clearance from the State Police, Child Abuse Registry, and PDE FBI.

Responsibilities

• Provides educational and vocational assistance to all students participating in an identified special population class (Autism, Emotional Support, Multiple Disabilities, Life Skills, Learning Support, and Transition Programs) and works as part of a collaborative team that shares responsibility for assisting students with engagement in all aspects of the special education, general education, and community-based settings.
• Intensive assistance, specially designed instruction, and accommodations are outlined in student IEPs and call for support with academic skills, behavior management, adaptive skills, activities of daily living, and prevocational training/work opportunities. This may also include carryover of task analysis of job skills in a supported employment setting.
• Assists the teacher to provide a healthy and safe environment for students, which may include physical intervention by the teacher assistant to prevent a student from hurting him/herself or others.
• Responds appropriately to students' academic, social, and emotional needs, which requires teacher assistants to be perceptive to individual needs, make appropriate judgments about intervention strategies/techniques, and spontaneously interact with students in a positive manner.
• Uses discretion in discussing student performance (social and academic) and maintains confidentiality.
• Creates positive relationships with teachers, administrators, community partners, etc.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Flexibility

Rapport with students

Initiative

Behavior management

Patience

Confidentiality

Collaboration

General learning concepts

Education

48 post-secondary credits / Associate's degree / PDE Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators

Tools

Assistive devices

Job description

A Vacancy exists for an Instructional Assistant/ Job Coach for Upper Merion High School, School Year 2026-2027

Salary Range: $18.00- $22.00/hour

Hours: 7:00 am-2:15 pm

Terms of Employment: 195days/10 Months

Qualifications:

• Minimum of forty-eight (48) post-secondary credits, associate's degree, or Bureau of Special Education Credential of Competency for Special Education Paraeducators.
• Demonstrates ability in Intensive Teaching when needed
• Familiarity with specialized curriculum materials and procedures for data collation, re-teaching, positive behavior reinforcement, and crisis intervention
• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible in working with others.
• Is able to establish rapport with students of diverse backgrounds.
• Possesses a high level of initiative and is able to be flexible and motivated
• Demonstrates ability to operate simple tools and machines that allow students to access education
• Demonstrates a willingness to accept direction and abide by school and District procedures and policies.
• Possesses some knowledge of the general principles of learning and child development as they apply to the exceptional child.
• Possesses the patience and understanding to offer support and direction to children with behavioral difficulties.
• Possesses some knowledge of curriculum and instructional materials.
• Ability to be flexible, self-directed, and motivated.
• Original certificates of clearance from the State Police, Child Abuse Registry, and PDE FBI.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides educational and vocational assistance to all students participating in an identified special population class (Autism, Emotional Support, Multiple Disabilities, Life Skills, Learning Support, and Transition Programs) and works as part of a collaborative team that shares responsibility for assisting students with engagement in all aspects of the special education, general education, and community-based settings.
• Intensive assistance, specially designed instruction, and accommodations are outlined in student IEPs and call for support with academic skills, behavior management, adaptive skills, activities of daily living, and prevocational training/work opportunities. This may also include carryover of task analysis of job skills in a supported employment setting.
• Assists the teacher to provide a healthy and safe environment for students, which may include physical intervention by the teacher assistant to prevent a student from hurting him/herself or others.
• Responds appropriately to students' academic, social, and emotional needs, which requires teacher assistants to be perceptive to individual needs, make appropriate judgments about intervention strategies/techniques, and spontaneously interact with students in a positive manner.
• Uses discretion in discussing student performance (social and academic) and maintains confidentiality.
• Creates positive relationships with teachers, administrators, community partners, etc.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Upper Merion Area School District is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate based on race, color, religious affiliation, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or non-relevant handicaps and disabilities in its activities, programs, and employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504. The district's commitment to non-discrimination extends to students, employees, prospective employees, and the community. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, or for information regarding services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by handicapped persons, contact Caitlin Navarro, Director of Human Resources, Upper Merion Area School District, 435 Crossfield Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

MINORITY APPLICANTS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY