Instructional Assistant

JOB DESCRIPTION, MARCH 2025 JOB TITLE: INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT

SALARY :

Schedule

103190

or

104190

(dependent

upon

qualifications)

WORK

CALENDAR :

190

days

FLSA STATUS : Non-Exempt REPORTS TO : Principal GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under occasional supervision, performs specialized work by assisting teachers in instructing and directing

the

activities

of

students

in

assigned

classes

to

provide

a

well-organized,

smoothly

functioning

classroom

environment.

Assists

school

administrators

and

staff

with

various

administrative

and

clerical

functions

as

requested.

Reports

to

the

assigned

classroom

teacher

and

school

principal.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists

students

with

exercises

and

class

activities;

concentrates

efforts

with

small

groups

of

students

and

individuals

as

necessary.

Compiles,

prepares,

and

organizes

materials

and

the

classroom

for

instruction

and

classroom

activities.

Assists

in

cleaning

and

storing

materials

after

completion

of

activities.

Reinforces

all

knowledge

and

skills

taught

by

the

classroom

teacher.

Models

proper

behavior

and

play.

Assists

teacher

by

recording

daily

attendance,

grading

assignments,

recording

and/or

analyzing

test

scores/grades,

substituting

as

needed,

setting

up

special

projects,

escorting

children

to

other

areas

of

the

school,

monitoring

student

behavior,

packing/unpacking

student

communication

folders,

running

errands,

etc.

Collects

and

receipts

monies

for

monthly

activity

fees,

school

fees,

school

pictures,

field

trips,

meal

fees,

etc.

Supervises

and

assists

students

when

unloading

and

loading

buses,

in

the

halls,

on

field

trips,

during

testing,

during

lunch,

and

on

school

grounds.

Prepares

daily

snacks

for

students.

Assists

individual

children

with

special

needs

and/or

in

need

of

special

attention.

Coordinates

and/or

participates

in

special

programs

or

projects

as

assigned.

Maintains

a

clean

and

orderly

classroom.

Attends

staff

meetings

as

required;

participates

in

in-service

training

programs.

Receives

and

responds

to

inquiries

and

requests

for

assistance

in

areas

of

responsibility.

Keeps

abreast

of

developments

in

early

childhood

/

elementary

education

curriculum

and

instruction.

Operates

a

variety

of

equipment

such

as

a

computer,

printer,

copier,

calculator,

telephone,

audio-visual

equipment,

laminating

machine,

binding

machine,

waxing

machine,

etc.;

uses

clerical,

copier,

computer

supplies,

arts

and

crafts

supplies,

instructional

supplies,

and

materials.

Interacts

and

communicates

with

various

groups

and

individuals,

such

as

the

classroom

teacher,

other

teachers,

principals,

other

school

staff,

District

staff,

students,

parents,

volunteers,

and

the

general

public.

Attends

training,

conferences,

workshops,

etc.,

as

appropriate

to

enhance

job

knowledge

and

skills.

ADDITIONAL

JOB

FUNCTIONS

Performs

routine

clerical

tasks

as

required,

including

but

not

limited

to

preparing

reports

and

records,

copying

and

filing

documents,

entering

and

retrieving

computer

data,

preparing

notices

and

mail,

etc.

Performs

related

duties

as

required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Requires an Associate's degree, at least 60 semester hours at an accredited institution of higher education,

or

a

passing

score

on

an

approved

state

academic

assessment

(e.g.,

ParaPro,

ParaPathways)

supplemented

by

some

experience

working

with

children

in

an

educational

setting,

or

an

equivalent

combination

of

education,

training,

and

experience

that

provides

the

required

knowledge,

skills,

and

abilities.

Must

possess

a

valid

state

driver's

license.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Physical Requirements : Requires light work that involves walking or standing most of the time and

involves

exerting

up

to

20

pounds

of

force

on

a

recurring

basis.

Data Conception : Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional,

structural

or

compositional

characteristics

(whether

similar

to

or

divergent

from

obvious

standards)

of

data,

people

or

things.

Interpersonal Communication : Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or

exchange

information.

Includes

receiving

assignments

and/or

directions

from

supervisors

and

giving

instruction

and/or

assignments

to

students. Language Ability : Requires the ability to read a variety of policy and procedure manuals, curriculum

materials,

texts,

computer

manuals,

etc.

Requires

the

ability

to

enter

data

into

computer

and

prepare

reports,

records,

teaching

materials,

correspondence,

etc.,

with

proper

format,

punctuation,

spelling

and

grammar,

using

all

parts

of

speech.

Must

be

able

to

speak

with

poise,

voice

control

and

confidence

and

to

articulate

information

to

others.

Intelligence : Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems

and

deal

with

a

variety

of

concrete

variables

in

situations

where

only

limited

standardization

exists;

to

interpret

a

variety

of

instructions

furnished

in

oral,

written,

diagrammatic

or

schedule

form.

Requires

the

ability

to

use

influence

systems

in

classroom

teaching.

Requires

the

ability

to

make

routine

independent

judgments

in

the

absence

of

supervisor;

to

acquire

knowledge

of

topics

related

to

primary

occupation.

Must

have

the

ability

to

comprehend

and

interpret

received

information

and

the

ability

to

comprehend

and

implement

basic

office

machinery

functions. Verbal Aptitude : Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow

and

give

oral

and

written

instructions;

to

counsel

and

teach

students.

Must

be

able

to

communicate

effectively

and

efficiently

with

persons

of

varying

ages

and

educational/cultural

backgrounds. Numerical Aptitude : Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to determine

percentages

and

decimals,

to

determine

time.

Must

be

able

to

use

practical

applications

of

fractions,

percentages,

ratio

and

proportion. Form/Spatial Aptitude : Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and

visually

read

various

information. Motor Coordination : Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using

automated

office

equipment

and

communications

machinery. Manual Dexterity : Requires the ability to handle a variety of items including computer keyboards,

office

equipment,

control

knobs,

switches,

etc.

Must

have

minimal

levels

of

eye/hand/foot

coordination. Color Discrimination : Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color. Interpersonal Temperament : Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.

Must

be

adaptable

to

performing

under

minimal

levels

of

stress

when

confronted

with an emergency or tight deadline. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a slight degree,

or

to

tension

as

a

regular,

consistent

part

of

the

job. Physical Communication : Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas

by

means

of

spoken

words;

hearing:

perceiving

nature

of

sounds

by

ear).

Must

be

able

to

hear

and

understand

communications

through

a

telephone. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Knowledge of Job : Is knowledgeable in the methods, policies and procedures of Fairfield County School

District

pertaining

to

specific

duties

of

an

Instructional

Assistant.

Is

knowledgeable

in

the

laws,

ordinances,

standards

and

regulations

pertaining

to

the

specific

duties

and

responsibilities

of

the

position.

Has

the

ability

to

comprehend,

interpret

and

apply

regulations,

procedures

and

related

information.

Has

knowledge

of

the

characteristics

of

the

age

group

assigned.

Is

able

to

establish

and

maintain

positive

relationships

and

work

effectively

with

adults

and

children.

Is

able

to

supervise,

guide

and

support

students

with

patience

and

kindness.

Is

able

to

reinforce

skills

taught

by

the

teacher.

Is

able

to

follow

lesson

plans

provided

by

the

teacher.

Is

able

to

motivate

students

to

participate

in

educational

activities

and

to

want

to

learn.

Is

able

to

perform

job

tasks

professionally

in

an

environment

where

discrimination

and

other

public

issues

are

constant

concerns.

Has

knowledge

of

and

is

able

to

use

modern

office

practices

and

equipment,

including

computers.

Has

knowledge

of

proper

English

usage,

vocabulary,

punctuation

and

spelling;

has

the

mathematical

ability

to

handle

required

calculations.

Is

able

to

type

accurately

at

a

rate

sufficient

for

the

successful

performance

of

assigned

duties.

Is

skilled

in

applying

a

responsible

attention

to

detail

as

necessary

in

preparing

records,

reports

and

correspondence.

Is

able

to

read

and

interpret

various

materials

pertaining

to

the

responsibilities

of

the

job.

Is

able

to

take

the

initiative

to

complete

the

duties

of

the

position

without

the

need

of

direct

supervision.

Is

able

to

use

independent

judgment

in

performing

routine

tasks.

Has

the

ability

to

plan,

organize

and

prioritize

daily

assignments

and

work

activities.

Is

able

to

offer

assistance

to

fellow

employees

as

necessary.

Knows

how

to

maintain

effective

relationships

with

co-workers,

personnel

of

other

departments,

parents,

students

and

members

of

the

public

through

contact

and

cooperation.

Has

knowledge

of

the

occupational

hazards

and

safety

precautions

of

the

position.

Knows

how

to

react

calmly

and

quickly

in

emergency

situations.

Has

the

ability

to

learn

and

utilize

new

skills

and

information

to

improve

job

performance

and

efficiency.

Quality

of

Work :

Maintains

high

standards

of

accuracy

in

exercising

duties

and

responsibilities.

Exercises

immediate

remedial

action

to

correct

any

quality

deficiencies

that

occur

in

areas

of

responsibility.

Maintains

high-quality

communication

and

interaction

with

internal

and

external

entities

with

whom

the

position

interacts.

Quantity

of

Work :

Performs

described

Essential

Functions

and

related

assignments

efficiently

and

effectively

in

order

to

produce

a

quantity

of

work

that

consistently

meets

established

standards

and

expectations.

Dependability : Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within

deadlines

in

accordance

with

directives,

policy,

standards

and

prescribed

procedures.

Maintains

accountability

for

assigned

responsibilities

in

the

technical,

human

and

conceptual

areas.

Attendance :

Attends

and

remains

at

work

regularly

and

adheres

to

policies

and

procedures

regarding

absenteeism

and

tardiness.

Provides

adequate

notice

to

higher

management

with

respect

to

vacation

time

and

leave

requests.

Initiative

and

Enthusiasm :

Maintains

an

enthusiastic,

self-reliant

and

self-starting

approach

to

meet

job

responsibilities

and

accountabilities.

Strives

to

anticipate

work

to

be

accomplished,

and

initiates

proper

and

acceptable

action

for

the

completion

of

work

with

a

minimum

of

supervision

and

instruction.

Judgment :

Exercises

analytical

judgment

in

areas

of

responsibility.

Identifies

issues

or

situations

as

they

occur

and

specifies

decision

objectives.

Identifies

or

assists

in

identifying

alternative

solutions

to

issues

or

situations.

Implements

decisions

in

accordance

with

prescribed

and

effective

policies

and

procedures

and

with

a

minimum

of

errors.

Seeks

expert

or

experienced

advice

where

appropriate

and

researches

issues,

situations

and

alternatives

before

exercising

judgment.

Cooperation :

Accepts

supervisory

instruction

and

direction

and

strives

to

meet

the

goals

and

objectives

of

the

same.

Questions

such

instruction

and

direction

when

clarification

of

results

or

consequences

are

justified,

i.e.,

poor

communications,

variance

with

established

policies

or

procedures,

etc.

Offers

suggestions

and

recommendations

to

encourage

and

improve

cooperation

intra-

and

inter-departmentally.

Relationships

with

Others :

Shares

knowledge

with

managers,

supervisors

and

co-workers

for

mutual

benefit.

Contributes

to

maintaining

high

morale

among

all

employees.

Develops

and

maintains

cooperative

and

courteous

relationships

inter-

and

intra-departmentally,

and

with

external

entities

with

whom

the

position

interacts.

Tactfully

and

effectively

handles

requests,

suggestions

and

complaints

in

order

to

established

and

maintain

good

will.

Emphasizes

the

importance

of

maintaining

a

positive

image.

Coordination

of

Work :

Plans

and

organizes

daily

work

routine.

Establishes

priorities

for

the

completion

of

work

in

accordance

with

sound

time-management

methodology.

Avoids

duplication

of

effort.

Estimates

expected

time

of

completion

of

work

elements

and

establishes

a

personal

schedule

accordingly.

Attends

required

meetings,

planning

sessions

and

discussions

on

time.

Implements

work

activity

in

accordance

with

priorities

and

estimated

schedules.

Safety

and

Housekeeping :

Adheres

to

all

established

safety

and

housekeeping

standards.

Ensures

such

standards

are

not

violated.

DISCLAIMER:

This

job

description

is

not

an

employment

agreement

or

contract.

Management

has

the

exclusive

right

to

alter

this

job

description

at

any

time

without

notice.