Instructional Assistant - TK

Salary: $19.12 - $23.24 Hourly
Location : 37230 37th Street East, Palmdale, CA
Job Type: 182 Days
Job Number: 25/26 - 06/11
Division: School Site
Opening Date: 06/11/2026
Closing Date: 7/2/2026 4:00 PM Pacific


Summary
Under the supervision of a certificated teacher and site administrator, this position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in assisting the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) educational programs. Incumbents in this classification will facilitate support for students between the ages of 3 and 5 years old, to meet their education needs. Responsibilities include preparing learning materials, assisting with classroom management, and providing personal care to students.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
An Instructional Assistant for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) specializes in supporting early childhood development, focusing on social, motor, and pre-academic skills, emotional regulation and play-based learning. Key characteristics include extreme patience, creativity, ability to manage high-energy classrooms, and collaborating with teachers to implement play-based learning and self-help skills. In addition, TK Assistants support young students with personal hygiene (e.g. toileting, feeding, and cleanliness).

Representative Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Support the classroom teacher in the facilitation of classroom and learning station activities and projects, and in general cleanup after classroom projects.
2. Supports classroom routines, including arrival, meals/snacks, rest time, dismissal, outings and other activities; oversees bus loading and unloading.
3. Observe students; provide individualized or small group instruction; answer questions; counsel and calm students as needed.
4. Assist in supervising and maintaining order among students in the classroom and on school grounds during playground and other activities.
5. Assist children with self-help, hygiene, and toilet training, as required.
6. Support the teacher in assessing programs and organizing instructional materials.
7. Maintain a neat, orderly, and attractive learning environment; assist with preparing bulletin board materials and classroom decorations.
8. Attend and participate in staff in-service and other meetings as required.
9. Prepare and operate audio-visual, computer, standard office, and other related equipment that support the instructional program.
10. Perform a variety of general clerical duties.
11. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Click HERE for complete job description.

Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
Some Instructional Assistant experience working with preschool-aged children in an educational or child care setting.

Education/Training:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• A minimum of twelve (12) completed units of coursework in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development from a regionally accredited college or university; AND
• One of the following required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, math, and classroom instruction:

a) AA degree or higher; or

b) Completion of 48 units from a nationally accredited college or university; or

c) Passage of a proficiency test administered by the Palmdale School District.

If you are attempting to satisfy the academic proficiency requirement, official college transcripts must be attached to the application to validate the degree awarded or completion of 48+ college units. If official transcripts are not attached to the application, you will be required to take and pass the academic proficiency assessment in addition to the job-specific examination for this position.

Foreign degrees and credit units require translation and equivalency established by an agency recognized by the .

Employment Standards

Application Filing
Applications for this position will be accepted online only during the specified recruitment period. An eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. Applicants will receive notifications electronically by email only.


Examination The examination components consist of a qualifying written multiple-choice and oral exam. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be required to take the exam and are notified via email communication of the scheduled date, time, and location. A valid picture identification is required prior to admittance.


After the exam procedure concludes for this recruitment, an eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. When eligibility lists include open and promotional lists of qualified persons through competitive examination, the promotional list will be used first, unless otherwise stated on this bulletin.


Test Taking Tips (example guide only)
TENTATIVE EXAM DATE: Week of July 6, 2026.

Subject to change as necessary.

Work year This position works part-time at seven hours (7.0) per day, and observes a 182-day work calendar.


Salary and Benefits
The salary rate for a new employee is at the first step of the appropriate five-step salary schedule for this position. The probationary period is 130 work days (not counting sick, industrial accident). Upon becoming permanent, a one-step salary advance shall be granted with future annual advances up to the fifth step of the salary schedule.
The District provides and contributes to a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, term life insurance) per contract year for each employee and eligible dependents. View the benefit matrix

Holidays and Leaves Seventeen (17) paid holidays that fall within the work year, pursuant to the District's Collective Bargaining Agreement with California Schools Employees Association Chapter 296 (CSEA).


Sick leave shall be granted in the proportion of daily hours worked. Vacation is earned at the prescribed rate as part of compensation, and does not become vested until after completion of the initial probationary period.

Work Environment
This job is primarily performed indoors in a climate-controlled environment, and outdoors for some student activities; exposure to adverse weather conditions, bloodborne pathogens and/or illness; sanitizing agents, classroom noises from students, staff, and standard equipment.
Physical Demands

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending at the waist, reaching overhead and horizontally; dexterity of hand and fingers to manipulate instructional materials, writing instruments, computer keyboard/mouse; hearing and speaking sufficiently for the exchange of information.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
In accordance with Federal civil rights law, civil rights regulations and policies, the Palmdale School District, its offices, and employees, are prohibited from discriminating based on age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, marital status, nationality, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity.


For further information regarding Palmdale School District's non-discrimination, sexual harassment and Title IX policies and/or Coordinator contact information, please click the following link:


For further information regarding Palmdale School District's Personnel Sexual Harassment Board Policy, BP 4119.11, please click the following link:
Offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, and life up to the maximum district contribution for eligible employees.


More detailed information regarding benefit package eligibility will be presented at time of employment offer.
01


The following supplemental questions give you the opportunity to fully explain your background and qualifications as they pertain to the position of Instructional Assistant-TK. The information provided in answer to these questions may be considered in determining whether you will move forward in the recruitment process. Your answers are required for your application to be considered complete. The information that you provide will be evaluated as it stands, and revisions to clarify the information provided are not allowed. Respond honestly and truthfully to all questions. Overstating your skill level is considered false and/or misleading information. Applicants found to have provided false or misleading information of their skills or experience will be disqualified from further processing, or if hired, immediately terminated from employment.NOTE: All work experience and education that is described or included in your response(s) must be reflected in the "Work Experience" and "Education" sections of the application. A résumé or other documentation to convey this information will not be considered in lieu of completing all sections of the application. Providing incomplete responses or answering "See Resume" or "See Application" may automatically disqualify your application from further consideration. I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02


Do you possess a High School Diploma or equivalent diploma, such as a GED? (proof may be required upon hire)

• Yes
• No

03


Have you completed 12 or more college level units in Early Childhood Education (including core courses such as child/human growth & development, child/family community relations, and programs/curriculum)? Official college transcripts are required to support a "Yes" response.

• Yes
• No

04


Indicate the number of years that best describes your experience providing instructional assistance to support preschool-aged children in an educational or child care setting (answer must reflect on application)

• None
• Up to one year
• One year to less than two years
• Two years to less than three years
• Three years or more

05


Do you possess at least an AA degree or completed 48 college units? (official college transcripts are required)

• Yes
• No

06


Indicate the amount of weight you are able to safely lift/carry?

• Under 30 pounds
• 30 to 39 pounds
• 40 to 49 pounds
• 50 pounds or more

07


The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), formerly known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), requires all paraprofessionals who provide instructional assistance to possess a high school diploma or equivalent, AND one of the following:1) an Associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university; OR, 2) a minimum of 48 semester college units; OR, 3) pass an assessment that demonstrates knowledge of the ability to assist in instruction, reading, language arts, and mathematics. Official transcripts on college letterhead showing the degree awarded or completion of 48 college units, must be attached to the application. Otherwise, applicants will be required to take and pass the assessment. (transcripts will not be accepted or evaluated upon entrance to the exam room.)I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statement.

• Yes
• No

08


REQUIREMENT: In keeping with the Early Childhood Education ("ECE") college credit requirement for this position, you must attach official college transcripts to your application showing proof of 12 ECE units completed. If transcripts are not attached, your application may be disqualified.NOTE: Foreign degrees and credit units require translation and equivalency established by an agency recognized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statement and requirement.

• Yes
• No

09


Employees in this position must be willing to provide support to young students in the areas of feeding, self-help, hygiene, and toilet training as necessary. Indicate if you are willing and able to perform such duties. Your signature on the application and a "Yes" response certifies that you are willing and able to perform said duties if you are hired.

• Yes
• No

10


ACKNOWLEDGMENT: I certify that all of my statements in this supplemental application are accurate and true, and understand if I have made any false statements, I may be disqualified or dismissed.

• Yes
• No, therefore I am choosing to withdraw my application from this recruitment.

Required Question