Special Education Instructional Assistant II Preschool

Unity Elementary School; Sioux City (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Unity Elementary School in Sioux City, IA is hiring a Special Education Instructional Assistant II for preschool. The role supports students with disabilities across classroom, playground, and lunchroom settings, assisting with health, communication, and behavioral supports to enable active participation in instruction.

The position requires a high school diploma, and a paraeducator certification is preferred; candidates may need an early childhood endorsement, CDA, or a higher degree or the

Qualifications

• Must possess clear communication skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities for data and instruction improvement.
• Ability to learn and use assistive technology and student augmentative communication devices.
• Willingness to participate in CPI training and apply de-escalation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Assist students with disabilities in preschool classrooms, playgrounds, and lunchroom.
• Support health, communication, and behavior needs to enable participation in instruction.
• Collaborate with teachers and co-workers to implement IHP and BIP plans.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information and assist with data collection and feedback.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical and reasoning skills

Technology skills

CPI training/skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Paraeducator certification preferred

Early childhood endorsement / CDA / 2-year degree or higher

Job description

Special Education Instructional Assistant II Preschool

Sioux City Community School District Unity Elementary School - Sioux City, Iowa Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5917565

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Sep 08, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Sep 21, 2026

Job Description

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Special Education Classroom Instructional Assistant II provides assistance and motivation to students with disabilities within preschool settings. This position will provide assistance with health, communication, and behavior supports needed to allow our students to effectively access instruction in the classroom, on the playground, and in the lunchroom.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Work effectively with children having disabilities and special needs within preschool settings.

May work with one student or a small group of students.

Communicate and work effectively with special education and classroom teachers, co-workers.

Practice professional, legal, and ethical conduct toward students, parents, and co-workers.

Motivate and assist student(s) to build independence, develop interpersonal and social skills, and learn actively.

Use assistive technology, computers, and adaptive equipment providing special care or physical assistance required for the student to function in school and learn effectively.

Gather and maintain accurate data regarding the student, including academic, behavioral, and/or health information, as needed, and providing feedback to the teacher to improve instruction for the student.

Understand and appreciate diversity in children’s skill and abilities, cultural heritage, lifestyles, values systems, and human rights.

Maintain confidentiality with student information and student records.

Implement prevention, response, and safety intervention as outlined in a student’s Behavior Intervention Plan.

Implement supports and services as outlined in a student’s Individual Health Plan. This may include toileting, assisting with meals, and other self-care activities for multiple students.

Utilize de-escalation strategies and appropriate restraint and seclusion strategies as trained in Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, education and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Minimum education include a high school graduate and previous experience working with children. A paraeducator certification is preferred.

For preschool classrooms, preference would be the individual have one of the following three criteria met: a paraeducator certification with an early childhood endorsement, CDA or a two Page 2 of 3 year degree or higher or ability to obtain one of the criteria within one year of selection.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Must possess the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and groups from all levels of the organization. Individual must have effective listening skills.

ANALYTICAL and REASONING SKILLS

Ability to gather, collate, and/or classify data. Ability to work with a variety of data. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

May be required to lift up to 50 pounds frequently. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may work inside or outside. The environment is usually fast paced with a great deal of movement throughout the day. Individuals must be able to engage in physical activity associated with active supervision of students. The employee will also be required to participate in CPI training and be able to effectively demonstrate competency in physical skill components.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

Must be able to use the computer, process electronic requests. Must be able to learn different communication devices from pictures/symbols to individual student augmentative communication devices. Able to retrieve and print information from various computer programs when needed.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Will perform other duties as may be assigned by the superintendent or designee, necessary and appropriate to achievement of the program and/or District goals and objectives.

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act prior to starting, you must haveoneof the following:

• Two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
• Associate degree or higher; or
• Obtain voluntary certification through the Board of Educational Examiners(Paraeducator Certification); or
• Successful completion of ACT WorkKeys® (NCRC Assessment).

ACT WorkKeys® Assessment

ACT WorkKeys®is a job skills assessment system that helps employers select, hire, train, developand retain a high-performance workforce. This series of tests measures foundational and soft skills and offers specialized assessments to target institutional needs.

Successful completion of ACT WorkKeys® assessments in Applied Mathematics, Locating Informationand Reading for Information can lead to earning ACT's National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC), a portable credential earned by more than 2.3million people across the United States.

If you are interested in taking the NCRC assessments, you may schedule a time at one of theIowaWORKS Centers .

For more information, please contact Iowa Work Force Development at 712-233-9030. The calendar of testing times and locations is available on theSkilled Iowawebsite:

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Sioux City Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas: Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, and Industrial Arts, Technology, & PLTW. The Sioux City Community School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information (for employment), national origin, religion, age (for employment), disability, socioeconomic status (for programs), marital status (for programs), or veteran status (for employment) in its educational programs and its employment practices.

The District is required by Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs, activities, or employment. Inquiries or grievances under Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act may be directed to the Compliance Coordinator, at 627 4 th Street, Sioux City, IA 51101, [phone], [e-mail] . Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations to the District may be referred to the Compliance Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, or both. Please see District board policies 103 and 504.4 for additional information on available grievance procedures.

Position Type: Full-Time 10 Month

Job Categories:

Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Special Education > Special Education Assistant

Equal Opportunity Employer

All employers submitting a job opening for posting on the Teach Iowa system will not discriminate in hiring on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, marital status, or status as a veteran. A bona fide religious institution may choose to exercise the allowances in Iowa Code section 216.6.(6)d. Employers may have additional developed specific equal employment opportunity policies and procedures; please check with employers.

Job Requirements

• High School/Trade School degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Stefanie Verros
• 627 4th Street
• Sioux City, Iowa 51101
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]