Instructional Assistant, Pre-K

Frederick County Public Schools; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 27,552 - 33,062; Full time

Job summary

Frederick County Public Schools is seeking an Instructional Assistant to support classroom teachers and students in a 10-month position. The role includes instructional and clerical tasks, plus supervision of students, under the direction of certified staff.

This position emphasizes collaboration, confidentiality and effective communication. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, along with an Associate's Degree/CDA or relevant Pre-K/elementary experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• AA degree or CDA or 5 years publicly funded Pre-K classroom experience.
• Clear written and oral communication.
• Proficiency in English, spelling, vocabulary, and mathematics.
• Willingness to participate in training programs or professional development.
• Regular and predictable attendance.

Responsibilities

• Works with individuals and/or small groups under supervision of a teacher or administrator.
• Checks papers and monitors student progress.
• Operates various office machines (typing).
• Prepares and arranges materials for the day’s instruction.
• Assists in supervising recreational, outdoor, and free-time activities and field trips.
• Performs classroom duties such as attendance, collecting money, and scheduling conferences.
• Monitors groups to free the teacher for other duties.
• Utilizes computer programs to assist students in small groups.
• Substitutes for teachers in emergency situations.
• Prioritizes work assignments and manages time effectively.

Skills

Communication

English language

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's Degree or CDA or 5 years experience

Passing one of ParaPathways or NES exams

Job description

All education provided on your application must be supported by attaching a scanned copy of your high school diploma, transcription or college/university transcript.

Work Year Calendar and Hours

• 10-month position (190 days / year), 7 hours per day
• Daily Work Hours: TBD

For more information about employee benefits please go to: https://www.fcps.org/staff/benefits

Salary

• Support Salary Scale Grade S05: $20.42 per hour starting

Under the Fair Labor and Standards Act this position is non-exempt from overtime. Actual salary placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Frederick County Public School System. Please see linked salary scale for the full range. This vacancy announcement is part of a current classification study which is an ongoing evaluation process to review its duties, responsibilities, and appropriate placement within the organization's job structure at FCPS.

Role

Under the general direction of one or more certified classroom teachers and/or school administrator(s), an Instructional Assistant works with individuals or small groups of pupils and performs instructional or clerical work as assigned. Performance is evaluated at least annually by the supervising administrator.

Essential Functions

Reporting directly to the Classroom Teacher/Administrator, the Instructional Assistant performs the following duties:

• Works with individuals and/or small groups of students under the supervision of a classroom teacher or building administrator.
• Checks papers and monitors student progress.
• Operates various office machines (may do some typing).
• Prepares and arranges materials for the day's instruction.
• Assists in supervising recreational, outdoor, and free-time activities, as well as field trips.
• Performs classroom duties such as reading, collecting money, taking attendance, correcting assignments, and scheduling parent-teacher conferences.
• Monitors small or large groups of pupils so as to free the teacher to perform other duties.
• Utilizes various computer programs to assist students, individually or in small instructional groups.
• Substitutes for teachers in emergency situations.
• Prioritizes work assignments appropriately.
• Completes appropriate amount of work in an efficient manner; seeks out additional assignments as time permits.
• Demonstrates support for the organization and its goals; accepts constructive criticism.
• Reports promptly for work, utilizes time wisely and maintains an acceptable attendance pattern.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written form.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of English, spelling, vocabulary and mathematics.
• Maintains confidentiality of student information.

Other Functions

May be requested to provide class coverage.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED). Note: 48 college credits, AA degree, or passing one of the following exams (ParaPathways, Pearson NES: Foundations of Classroom Support, or Pearson NES: Foundations of Classroom Support & Instruction).
• An Associate's Degree or higher, a Child Development Associates (CDA) Credential, or at least 5 years of experience in a publicly funded Pre-K classroom.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, concisely in both oral and written form.
• Working knowledge of English, spelling vocabulary, and mathematics.
• Willingness to participate in training programs or professional development designed by the principal or central office staff as it pertains to the job function.
• Capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Regular and predictable attendance.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Classroom Teacher/Administrator.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the FCPS policies, goals and programs.
• AA degree in early childhood education or related field.

FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO INDICATE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING THIS POSITION. IT IS NOT WRITTEN TO INCLUDE OR BE INTERPRETED TO INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF ALL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF THE EMPLOYEE. NOTHING IN THIS DESCRIPTION RESTRICTS MANAGEMENT'S RIGHT TO ASSIGN OR REASSIGN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OR ADD REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT ANY TIME.