Instructional Assistant

Title: Culinary Arts Instructional Assistant - Growing Futures CTE Program
Position Type: Full-time
Location: Annandale, Virginia

What we do and offer our team:

PHILLIPS PROGRAMS Schools are private special education day schools serving students with emotional and behavioral needs. PHILLIPS provides a place of relationship and belonging where students are accepted and treated with compassion, dignity, and respect. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, professional growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment that lives our values every day. In addition, our staff are eligible for the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program!

Growing Futures is PHILLIPS' Career and Technical Education (CTE) program designed to help students develop career readiness, workplace skills, and hands-on vocational experience. The Culinary Arts pathway provides students with practical instruction in food preparation, food service, kitchen operations, workplace safety, and professional skills development.

We are currently recruiting a Culinary Arts Instructional Assistant to support our Culinary Arts Teacher and students in both classroom and kitchen learning environments.

What the Culinary Arts Instructional Assistant does:

In coordination with the Culinary Arts Teacher, Student Support Services Staff, and other instructional team members, the Culinary Arts Instructional Assistant provides instructional, behavioral, and operational support within the Growing Futures Culinary Arts Program. Responsibilities include:

• Assists the Culinary Arts Teacher with classroom and kitchen instruction.
• Supports students during cooking, baking, food preparation, and food service activities.
• Provides individual and small-group instructional support.
• Reinforces food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures.
• Prepares ingredients, supplies, equipment, and materials for culinary labs and demonstrations.
• Maintains a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen and learning environment.
• Implements accommodations and behavioral supports as directed by the teacher and special education team.
• Monitors student participation, engagement, and behavior during instructional activities.
• Assists with inventory management, storage, and organization of culinary supplies and equipment.
• Supports culinary competitions, catering events, field trips, and community-based learning experiences.
• Assists with grading, documentation, and data collection as assigned.
• Supervises students to ensure safety during instructional activities and program events.
• Participates in staff meetings, professional development activities, and school-wide initiatives.

What the Culinary Arts Instructional Assistant brings to the team:

• High school diploma required; Associate's degree preferred.
• Culinary arts, food service, hospitality, or related experience preferred.
• Experience working with adolescents and/or individuals with disabilities strongly preferred.
• ServSafe Food Handler or ServSafe Manager Certification preferred, or willingness to obtain certification.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in both classroom and kitchen environments.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift/carry supplies and equipment up to 50 pounds.