Instructional Assistant - Special Education

About The Job

OPEN/CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND DISTRICT EMPLOYEES

ELIGIBILITY LISTS WILL BE GOOD FOR SIX (6) MONTHS

WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS RECRUITMENT

The examination process will be held on a continuous, as needed basis. You will be notified, as indicated on your application, regarding the exam dates, times, and locations.

SALARY

All new hires will be placed at the starting salary step of this classification ($25.41). Employees are eligible for a step increase on their anniversary date each year, up to the maximum step 5 of this salary range ($29.46).

Job Summary

This eligibility list will be used to fill substitute and regular assignments (substitute salary is $22.39 per hour). Persons in these positions work 3.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday, during the school session. Full-time assignments (6 hours per day) are typically filled by current IA II’s in part-time assignments. Under the general supervision of a certificated teacher or administrator, assists students with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities in meeting their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives; and performs related work as required.

Essential Duties

• Assists teachers in assigned features of the Individual Education Program (IEP) for students with a wide range of disabilities.
• Assists in preparing classroom and materials for use by students including assistive technology and other technology used in the classroom.
• Reads to students and organizes indoor games.
• Assists in providing instructional support as directed by teacher to individuals or small groups.
• Accompanies students on field trips and to community-based activities.
• Assists students with washing, toileting, and other personal care activities.
• Keeps alert to any special medi­cal problems students may have; logs student medical information, as appropriate.
• Serves meals to students as part of the instructional program.
• Supervises playground activities.
• Holds and lifts students who may wear heavy braces, use wheelchairs, and other assistive devices.
• Assists in classroom management and monitoring student behavior.
• Monitors bus loading and unloading.
• Assists in keeping facilities neat, clean, and safe.
• May work with students who exhibit behaviors such as verbal outbursts, hitting, throwing, running, pushing, and kicking.
• May utilize approved district restraint training to assist with restraining students as appropriate.
• Discusses students' behavior and progress with supervising certificated staff and professional support personnel.
• Assists in gathering data on student progress and/or implementing IEP objectives.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education and Experience : High school diploma and some experience in working with young people are required. An associate's degree and some experience working with students or other individuals with disabilities are highly desirable. Any other combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered. All candidates must meet the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirement for this position. This can be met one of three ways: (1) Possession of an associate's degree or higher; (2) completion of 48 full semester units earned at an accredited college or university; (3) having a High School diploma or GED equivalent and taking and passing the ESSA exam. If you meet the ESSA requirement through possession of the associate's degree or higher or have completed at least 48 full semester units, please attach a copy of your degree or college level transcripts to your application.

Certification: Employees in some positions may be required to obtain a valid First Aid Certificate, including CPR training.

Knowledge Of

• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Basic mathematics.
• Requirements for the physical care of students with disabilities.
• Basic teaching techniques and methods.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Appropriate hygiene standards.
• Health and safety regulations as related to the position.

Ability To

• Gain the confidence of students.
• Use patience and tact in working with students.
• Adapt basic teaching techniques and methods to support the teacher.
• Lift and move students who may wear heavy braces, use wheelchairs, and other assistive devices.
• Assist students with personal care such as dressing, eating, and toileting.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information.
• Understand and follow oral and writ­ten directions.
• Communicate effectively in the English language, both in oral and written form.

SELECTION PROCEDURES

Applications will be accepted from the general public and district employees who possess the above qualifications. The district reserves the right to invite applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the requirements needed for the position to continue in the examination process. The examination may consist of an evaluation of training and experience, multiple choice, performance, and oral/technical exams. Persons needing reasonable accommodation must notify the Office of Personnel Services by the last day to file. A qualifying score must be achieved on all portions of the examination in order to be placed on the open eligibility list. Outside and district candidates will be placed on one ranked list, with eligible permanent district employees receiving five seniority points which will be added to their final scores.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Garden Grove Unified School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, parental, pregnancy, family or marital status, immigration and citizenship status, military status or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Copies of GGUSD's policies including Uniform Complaint Procedures, Sexual Harassment Nondiscrimination, Title IX Rights and Protection, and Statewide Resources are available upon request.

Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and equity should be directed to the Assistant Superintendent of K-12 Educational Services, Dr. Lorena Sanchez, at ***email_hidden*** or View phone number on jobradars.com. Title IX equity and compliance concerns should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator - Chris Francis, Director of Personnel Services, at View email address on jobradars.com or View phone number on jobradars.com. Complaints may be mailed to 10331 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840.

Pupils have the right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs. More information about these rights is available from the California Attorney General, Know Your Rights. Contact the district office to learn more about Title IX and Sex Discrimination/Harassment including how to file a complaint.

Information About Application Procedures And Employment

HOW TO APPLY : Applications must be completed on our website at Please note that the district office will not be giving out or accepting hard copy applications for those recruitments that are online only. Please read each posting carefully or call our office if you have any questions. All applications should be received by the Personnel Commission Office by the last day to file.

VETERAN'S CREDIT : Veterans shall have an additional five (5) points added to their final percentage score on an open eligibility list as prescribed by Education Code, Section 45296. "Veteran" as used in this article means any person who has served in the United States armed forces in time of war, or national emergency declared by the President of the United States of America, and who has been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. "Armed forces" means the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. At least thirty (30) days of active service are required to obtain veteran preference points.

Disabled veterans shall have an additional ten (10) points added to their final percentage score on an open eligibility list as prescribed by Education Code, Section 45296. A "disabled veteran" as used in this article means any veteran who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be ten percent (10%) or more disabled as a result of service in the Armed Forces of the United States. Proof of disability shall be deemed conclusive if it is of record in the United States Veterans Administration.

Additional eligibility may be granted based on future changes to the law and verification from the Veteran's Administration or the United States Office of Personnel Management.

In order to obtain credit, the applicant shall furnish satisfactory proof of qualifying military service prior to establishment of the eligibility list. No adjustment of rank on the list shall be made when such proof is presented thereafter.

A veteran may be credited veterans' preference points only to obtain initial employment in the district. Thereafter, the only additional points for an open examination shall be seniority points granted in accord with section 4220.3(C)2.

HIRING PROCEDURES : Garden Grove is a merit system (civil service) school district. Employment and promotions are based upon merit, fitness and qualifications. The person selected to fill any regular position will be from among the top three ranks on the eligibility list approved by the Personnel Commission. All regular employees will serve a six (6) month probation.

EXAMINATION FOR TUBERCULOSIS : Proof of freedom from active tuberculosis must be furnished prior to employment and must be based upon an intradermal Mantoux tuberculin skin test completed within the last 60 days.

FINGERPRINTING : All new employees will be fingerprinted.

BENEFITS : All classified employees receive the following benefits:

• Up to 22 paid vacation days per year
• Up to 14 paid holidays per year
• Up to 12 sick leave days per year with unlimited accumulation
• Social Security coverage

All regular classified employees who are employed 30 hours or more a week are eligible for the following additional benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for the employee and family
• Life Insurance for the employee
• Generous Retirement Plan (CalPERS)

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYER

9701.89 (Revised: 7/24)

Garden Grove Unified School District offers a tremendous benefit package that includes:

• Up to 22 paid vacation days per year
• Up to 14 paid holidays per year
• Up to 12 sick leave days per year with unlimited accumulation
• Social Security coverage

All regular employees who are employed 30 hours or more a week are eligible for the following additional benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance for the employee and family
• Life Insurance for the employees
• Generous Retirement Plan (CalPERS)

The information you provide on the general and supplemental applications will be used to evaluate whether you meet the minimum requirements for this position. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the position will be invited to participate further in the selection process. It is important that you fill out the application as complete and accurate as possible. Supplemental questions that are not answered fully and completely will be considered incomplete and will cause you to not be considered further in the recruitment process. All experience mentioned in the Supplemental Questions must also be included in the Work Experience section in order to be considered complete. A resume in lieu of a complete response on the application or the supplemental is not acceptable. Did you read and understand this information?

• Yes
• No

As of January 1, 2026, in accordance with Education Code section 44051 (as added by California SB 848), applicants for classified positions are required by law to provide a complete list of every school district, county office of education, charter school, private school, and/or state special school with which you have previously been employed, regardless of the length of service. Please be comprehensive in disclosing any part-time, full-time, and substitute employment. Failure to disclose any previous educational employment may result in the disqualification of your application.

Have you ever previously been employed by another school district, county office of education, charter school, private school, and/or state special school?

• Yes
• No

If you marked “Yes” to the previous question regarding Education Code section 44051, for each location you were previously employed at, please state:

District/County/Charter/Special/Private School Name: Job Title: Dates of Employment: Presently Employed: Yes or No

• Type N/A if you have not previously been employed by a school district, county office of education, charter school, private school, and/or state special school.

Individuals in these positions work 3.5 hour per day, every day, Monday through Friday, during the school session. Will you be available to meet this work schedule?

• NOTE: If you cannot meet this work schedule, you may be eligible for substitute work at $22.17/hour
• Yes
• No

Do you have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent certificate? Reminder: You are required to bring a copy of your high school diploma or GED at the time of the multiple choice exam.

• Yes
• No

Do you have experience working with young people?

• Yes
• No

Please describe your experience working with young people. Include title(s), the organization(s), your duties and the dates you worked for each position. NOTE : The experience you list for this question must also be listed in the Work Experience section of your application (even if it is volunteer experience).

The questions below are designed so you can indicate which of the tasks you are WILLING to perform. Respond to each question and indicate whether you will do or will not do the task. Please keep in mind that all of the tasks listed below are REQUIRED of the position. If you are not willing to do any one of the tasks listed below, you will not be recommended for further consideration in the recruitment process for Instructional Assistant II-Special Education. Did you read and understand these instructions?

• Yes
• No

Assist students ages 4 to 22 (adult transition) requiring specialized personal care procedures such as diaper changing and toileting.

• Yes
• No

Work where contact with bodily fluids will occur.

• Yes
• No

Assist students in dressing, undressing, and personal grooming as needed.

• Yes
• No

Individually, or with the assistance of other staff members, lift and position students in and out of wheelchairs, braces and/or other orthopedic equipment.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question