Instructional Assistant - Special Education

Position Type:
Support Staff/Instructional Assistant - Special Education

Date Posted:
4/29/2026

Location:
Sites as assigned and needed

Date Available:
08/12/2026
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday
7 hours/day; 35 hours/week
Start date: 8/12/2026

Position Description
Under the general supervision of a principal and the certificated teacher the Instructional Assistant (IA) will assist the teacher in presentation, preparation of teaching materials, and other classroom or playground activities for children in a special education setting or inclusive setting. Responsibilities include but are not limited to providing Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI) as outlined by the special educator the IA is assigned to. Duties can include supporting students with health and behavior needs as well as other related duties as assigned.

Compensation
Salary Range: $27.82 - $37.28 (New employees to the District, no higher than Step 6 $35.51)
*Based on the 2026-27 Classified Salary Schedule

Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent
AA degree or equivalent in course work relating to education or passage of proficiency test
Six months experience in the care and supervision of children desired
First Aid Certification
CPR Certification
Possession of a valid California Driver's License or other valid State issued ID
Willing to complete appropriate training
Bilingual - For positions designated "Bilingual/Biliterate required," successful completion of test certifying competence and literacy in English and another language, determined by MVWSD, is required.

Skills/Abilities
Ability to maintain harmonious working relationships with students, staff, and community
Ability to accept supervision and guidance
Ability to perform basic clerical work related to supporting students
Ability to make decisions quickly regarding health and safety of students
Ability to be sensitive to confidentiality of students/family situations
Maintain confidentiality of records and discussions
Knowledge of correct English usage, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary
Ability to speak clearly and effectively and follow oral and written directions
Empathize and positively support students with disabilities
Work independently
Able to adjust to changing needs of students
Ability to use office equipment

Examples of Duties & Responsibilities
Assists children individually or in small groups in academic areas to support, review and reinforce curriculum
Assists children with activities relating to the development of small muscles and hand-eye coordination
Performs basic clerical work related to supporting students
Leads activities designed to assist children to achieve motor control and body awareness
Observes behavior of children carefully to ensure safety and reacts appropriately
Guides students to settle disputes and assist in implement behavior management plans
Assists in the supervision and monitoring of students during lunch, recess, bus loading/unloading, and/or field trips
Sets up work areas and assist in preparation of materials
Assists with classroom clerical tasks and preparation of materials as directed
Attends to children's physical needs in the classroom (academic, physical, behavior)
Supervise and facilitate children in playground activities related to classroom activities and on educational field trips
Participate in staff meetings and in-service programs as required
Maintains cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Assists teacher in supervising students, classroom and playground activities
Provides individual assistance to students in the areas of academic and basic self-help skills such as toileting, washing and feeding
Helps student(s) work independently
Assists student(s) in developing skills which lead him/her to join the mainstream educational environment
Engages in physical and sometimes strenuous activities with student such as lifting, weight shifting and positioning of students
Operates a variety of instructional media and equipment and maintains and distributes an inventory of textbooks, supplies, and equipment
Provides a variety of clerical and supportive tasks; maintains confidential student records and files and upon request, attends team meetings and parent conferences related to curriculum and/or student-related concerns
Attends to the personal care needs of some students with physical limitations; implements health and physical care procedures such as toileting, washing and feeding. This may also include assistance with educational aids such as computers, visual and hearing amplification aids, braces, crutches, and wheelchairs.
Attends training regarding physical care, health care, daily living assistance, behavior management, and crisis intervention, as appropriate.
Performs other related duties as assigned

ADA Profile
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time; ability to sit, bend, kneel, perform grasping and handling motions and torso rotations on a continuous basis, lift, carry or move up to 25 lbs., ability to reach in all directions; adequate sight or corrected vision to read printed directions or instructions; hear and speak to communicate with co-workers, students and the public; dexterity of the hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.

Supervised by: Site or District Administrator
Evaluated by: Site or District Administrator

The Mountain View Whisman School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, parental, pregnancy, family or marital status, military status or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. The Mountain View Whisman School District requires that school personnel take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so when he or she witnesses an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying, equity or Title IX equity and compliance concerns should be directed to Erin Green at View phone number on click.appcast.io, 1400 Montecito Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043, or View email address on click.appcast.io.