Instructional Assistant Program Specialist

Applitrack; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Frederick County Public Schools seeks an Instructional Assistant: Program Specialist to support Title I students at Butterfly Ridge Elementary and surrounding sites. You will implement supports to help students meet academic and behavior goals, under direction from teachers and site administrators.

Responsibilities include crisis intervention, creating instructional materials, and participating in student services and grade-level meetings to improve outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; substantial Title I student-support experience may substitute.
• HQ requirement: ParaPro, AA/BA or 60 college credits.
• Experience with children/adolescents with academic/behavior challenges in elementary setting.
• Experience engaging with disruptive students and training adult learners.
• Ability to collect and present data using Excel or similar.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention services.
• Deliver academic support under teacher direction.
• Create instructional materials for staff and students.
• Conduct academic/behavior interventions for students.
• Model behavior management and crisis intervention techniques for staff.
• Recommend supports to staff and central office.
• Support training initiatives for academic/behavior improvements.
• Participate in student services and grade-level meetings.
• Attend student concerns meetings.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Data collection

Excel

Written & verbal communication

Organization

Attendance reliability

Education

Bachelor's degree

60 college credits or ParaPro/AA/BA alternative

Tools

Excel

Job description

Instructional Assistant Program Specialist JobID: 18689

• Date Posted:
  9/28/2026
• Location:
  Butterfly Ridge Elementary School
  (High-Needs School)
• Date Available:
  10/16/2026
• Closing Date:
  10/06/2026

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:

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

Salary

• Support Salary Scale Grade S08: $23.85 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.

Role

The Instructional Assistant: Program Specialist supports the educational program at school sites serving students enrolled in Title I programs.

The IAPS creates and implements supports for students to achieve academic and behavior goals.

Essential Functions

Reporting directly to the school principal, the Instructional Assistant: Program Specialist performs the following duties:

• Provide crisis intervention services.
• Provide academic support under the direction of a classroom teacher
• Create instructional written and visual materials for staff and students.
• Conduct academic/behavior interventions with students.
• Identify and model behavior management and crisis intervention techniques for school staff.
• Provide recommendations to school staff and central office personnel regarding supports and technique to enhance the educational experience for students
• Supports training initiatives targeting academic and behavior improvements for students
• Participate in student services team/grade level team meetings as appropriate.
• Participate in student concerns meetings as appropriate.
• Assist with material preparation for student concerns meetings

Performs other duties as assigned by the Principal.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (significant experience providing support to students in specialized or Title I programs may be considered in lieu of the bachelor's degree).
• Must meet HQ requirement. For IA's that would mean passing the ParaPro, holding an AA or BA degree or completing 60 college credits.
• Experience working with children and/or adolescents with significant academic and behavior difficulties in an elementary setting
• Experience interacting with students manifesting disruptive behaviors.
• Experience providing training to adult learners.
• Ability to collect, format and present data using excel or compatible software application.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Training in crisis de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to accurately observe, record, and interpret student behaviors.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of instructional techniques and strategies
• Familiarity with the FCPS policies, goals and programs.

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.