Instructional Assistant- Richmond/Rodeo

YMCA of the East Bay; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Paid Time Off

Professional Development

YMCA Membership Benefits

Job summary

YMCA of the East Bay is seeking an Instructional Assistant for the Head Start - Early Childhood Impact program in Richmond, CA. This on-site role supports Inclusion and Mental Health Specialists, delivering high-quality early education aligned with Head Start standards.

The position requires AA degree or equivalent, English proficiency, and 2+ years in related settings. The job includes duties like writing intervention notes, data collection, and collaboration with teachers and families.

Qualifications

• AA degree or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree preferred in related field.
• Must communicate in English with proficiency; bilingual/multilingual preferred.
• Experience in early childhood education or special education settings is valued.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Assist instructional staff in supporting inclusion and mental health services for Head Start children.
• Support neuro-diverse students with equitable access to curriculum and activities.
• Follow health, safety, and licensing regulations in all daily tasks.
• Maintain records and write daily intervention notes; collect data for behavior coordination.

Skills

English communication

Time management

Verbal/written communication

Education

AA degree or equivalent coursework

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

Job Category: Head Start - Early Childhood Impact

Requisition Number: INSTR002798

• Posted : October 20, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site
• Hourly Range : $28.12 USD to $30.26 USD

Locations

Showing 1 location

YMCA Early Childhood Impact - Richmond - 8th St
Richmond, CA 94801, USA

Instructional Assistants support the caseload of Inclusion and Mental Health Specialists, providing essential assistance to ensure children’s needs are met. All responsibilities are carried out in alignment with the Goals, Mission, and Policies of the YMCA of the East Bay. Staff deliver high-quality care and education by implementing services consistent with Head Start Performance Standards, regulations from the California Department of Education Early Learning and Support and Special Education Divisions, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Community Care Licensing requirements. This position serves Area 4, including Antioch/Pittsburg.

WhyYou’llLove Working Here

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Full-time employees are eligible for heavily subsidized coverage with several plan options.
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, with options for Voluntary Life and AD&D coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance for added financial protection.
• Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs to support mental health and work-life balance.
• Commuter Benefitsavailablefor eligible employees.
• 12 Designated Holidays, including New Year’s Day.
• Paid Time Off for vacation and sick leave.
• Professional Development Opportunities and ongoing training to support your career growth.
• YMCA Membership Benefits and discounts on programs for you and your family.

Qualifications

• AA degree or equivalent coursework. Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Must be able to communicate in English with proficiency, bilingual or multi-lingual preferred
• 2 years of collective experience as an instructional assistant/paraprofessional in a special education/early intervention program; a classroom teacher in Early Childhood Programs (preferably in a state subsidized or Early/Head Start setting); or as an ABA behavior technician or support in an in-home or school-based setting
• Experience working with children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced high stress environment and manage time efficiently
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of child information and documents
• Pre-employment physical examination, immunizations and TB clearance
• Current certificates for Pediatric First Aid and CPR, including a total of 16 hours of preventative health and safety training, or completion of this training within 90 work days of hire
• LiveScan fingerprint and criminal record clearance
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook and other computer programs
• Valid California Driver's License/proof of auto insurance/annual DMV check required

Specific Essential Function from the Job Description for this role

• Support neuro-diverse students (e.g. students with developmental delays and/or social emotional needs) in equitable access of curriculum (goals and activities in accordance with the Creative Curriculum, The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, and California Department of Education Foundations and Frameworks) and all daily activities.
• Assist in the implementation of the Positive Behavior Support Plans for children on your caseload either 1:1 or in small group
• Build rapport and trust with child/children in your caseload
• Foster a safe and nurturing learning environment
• Asses child’s needs and provide intervention strategies noted in the Positive Behavior Support Plan to prevent or redirect challenging and unsafe behaviors (e.g. hitting, spitting, biting, eloping), while modelling and facilitating social interactions; providing direction, guidance, and visual supervision.
• Instruct and guide children in the proper and safe use of facilities, materials, and equipment.
• Instruct and monitor children in proper health and hygiene skills, assist in routine activities (e.g. toileting routines such as lining up, prompting toileting steps,), hand washing, and tooth-brushing.
• Have knowledge and adhere to Positive Behavior Guidance, YMCA Code of Conduct, YMCA Child Supervision policy to monitor children at all times and visually supervise children at all times.
• Have knowledge of and carry out all Health and Safety requirements according to Community Care Licensing, Head Start Performance Standards, and California Department of Education regulations.
• Develop and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with Teachers, Center Directors, Family Advocates, Inclusion and Mental Health staff, as well as other YMCA staff, as part of teamed support of child and family.
• Write daily intervention notes and collect ABC data to be submitted to Behavior Coordinator at the end of each work week. Maintain and organize binder containing these documents.
• Participate in meetings, classes, and trainings for professional growth and to meet job expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is often required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee is required to work outdoors daily.
• Mobility to quickly respond to emergencies

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.