Instructional Assistant - Special Education Resource

Metropolitan School District of Warren Township; Creston (IA); On-site; USD 18,241 - 25,979; Part time

Job summary

A local educational institution seeks an Instructional Assistant for Special Education to provide support in an educational environment. The role involves assisting teachers and students, particularly those with mild-to-moderate special needs. Candidates should have a high school diploma (GED) and preferably experience working with children with special needs. This position requires strong physical and communication skills, and one will be supervised by teachers and the building principal. The role offers a starting pay of $16.05 per hour.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; associate’s degree or 60 semester hours preferred.
• Prior vocational training or work experience with school-age children with special needs preferred.
• Must meet paraprofessional requirements as outlined in ESSA.

Responsibilities

• Provide developmental, instructional, and/or vocational assistance to students with special needs.
• Assist students on buses and monitor student activities.
• Reinforce school rules and support teachers in supervision.

Skills

Assist students with special needs

Crisis intervention

Data utilization

Verbal aptitude

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate’s degree or 60 semester hours preferred

Tools

Special needs equipment

Standard office equipment

Job description

Instructional Assistant – Special Education Resource (JobID: 2504)

• Position Type: Support Staff/ Instructional Assistant
• Date Posted: 2/2/2026
• Location: Creston Intermediate and Middle School

Special Education: Resource Instructional Assistant Job Description

Job Title: Instructional Assistant (Special Education/Resource)

FLSA Classification: Non-exempt, hourly employee

Standard Hours Per Day: 7 hours per day (not including a 30-minute unpaid duty‑free meal break)

Work Days: 181 days (students scheduled to attend school)

Work Year: Scheduled to work all days when students attend school, per the school calendar.

Salary Schedule & Benefits: Paid on the "Instructional Assistants" salary schedule and eligible for benefits on the "Support Staff" benefits schedule. Starting pay $16.05 per hour.

Reports To: Supervised by one or more teachers; reports to the building Principal.

Supervises: Does not directly supervise any employees.

General Summary of Duties

Under direct supervision, the Instructional Assistant provides support in an educational environment, performing paraprofessional work in assisting teachers and students. The Instructional Assistant works with certified teachers, occupational/physical therapists, and other specialists in the education, development, and care of students with mild‑to‑moderate special needs. Performs related work as directed.

Essential Functions

• Provides developmental, instructional, and/or vocational assistance to students with special needs, as prescribed by supervising teachers.
• Assists students on buses, transferring them physically as needed.
• Monitors student activities and behavior to ensure safety and adherence to conduct controls.
• Assists with gross motor, fine motor, and daily living skills appropriate to each student’s development.
• Applies crisis intervention principles to students with aggressive or socially difficult behavior; provides physical restraint if necessary for safety.
• Reinforces school rules and encourages appropriate behavior.
• Supports teachers in supervising learning activities and providing assistance to students.
• Provides instruction as prescribed by teachers and reinforces skills introduced by teachers.
• Observes and documents students’ language, math, communication skills, and learning progress.
• Assists in preparing lesson plans, behavior modification plans, and classroom materials.
• Maintains accurate records of student activities and behavior, using a computer as needed.
• Prepares classroom bulletin boards, decorations, and displays of student activities.
• Drafts reports and completes forms, schedules, and instructional reports as directed.
• Learns assigned bus routes to assist with proper boarding.
• Monitors hallways, lunchroom, restrooms, and bus duty; escorts students to activity areas.
• Assists in labs, translating lesson plans for better student understanding.
• Stays current on relevant technology used in the district.
• Attends training to maintain required skill levels in technologies.
• Ensures timely and accurate information is maintained.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor or designee.

Non‑Essential Functions

• Performs related duties as directed.

Entry‑Level Requirements

• Education/Training: High School diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree or 60 semester hours preferred (transcripts required).
• Experience: Prior vocational training or work experience with school‑age children with special needs preferred.
• Certifications & Licenses: Meets paraprofessional requirements as outlined in ESSA, passes Expanded Criminal History Check and Expanded Child Protection Index Check, and holds an associate’s degree or two years of college, or passes the ParaPro Assessment.
• Other: Ability to perform essential functions and meet physical/sensory/environmental requirements, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Performance Aptitudes

• Data Utilization – evaluate and assess data using established criteria.
• Human Interaction – apply persuasion and influence principles.
• Equipment Utilization – operate special needs equipment and standard office equipment.
• Verbal Aptitude – use descriptive and advisory data and information.
• Mathematical Aptitude – perform basic arithmetic and interpret graphs as required.
• Functional Reasoning – carry out detailed written or oral instructions.
• Situational Reasoning – exercise judgment and creativity in evaluating information.

Physical Requirements

Tasks require heavy physical effort, including climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 100 pounds or more.

Sensory Requirements

Visual perception and discrimination; oral communication; auditory perception.

Environmental Factors

Exposure to adverse conditions such as violence when working with developmentally disabled or emotionally disturbed children.