Special Education Instructional Assistant Jobs
Special education instructional assistant jobs are open across public K-12 schools, private and charter schools, and therapeutic day programs, at every level from entry-level paraprofessional to senior aide, with specializations in autism support, behavioral intervention, and life-skills instruction. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Providence Elementary School
Summary
Performs a variety of paraprofessional curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to support teachers and other professional staff in a general or special education classroom or learning environment; assists with the daily management of the students and classroom.
Qualifications
Required
- Graduation from high school or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
- One (1) year of experience working with children as a volunteer or paid employee, or equivalent participation in any teacher education introductory course with the provision of documented support.
- Advanced degree(s) beyond the minimum degree requirement in a relevant field may be considered for some experience.
- For assignments to Title I schools:
- Associate degree; OR
- Two years of college (48 credit hours); OR
- Meet a rigorous standard of quality demonstrated through a state or local academic assessment knowledge of, and the ability to assist with, reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.
- Knowledge and understanding of child growth and development.
- Knowledge of instructional procedures and practices applicable to assignment;
- Knowledge of subject matter reinforcement practices of the classes to which assigned.
- Ability to implement teachers' instructional plans in assigned field.
- Ability to work effectively with students and staff.
- Ability to assist with the implementation of an instructional program and related technology, and to participate in monitoring and ensuring appropriate student behavior.
- Ability to learn and apply the instructional goals and policies of Fairfax County Public Schools.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions and to perform all required tasks.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Preferred
- For assignments to non-Title I schools:
- Associate degree; OR
- Two years of college (48 credit hours); OR
- Meet a rigorous standard of quality demonstrated through a state or local academic assessment knowledge of, and the ability to assist with, reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.
Major Duties/Essential Functions
- Performs curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to assist teachers and other professional staff in a classroom or other instructional setting.
- Works with the teacher to provide instructional or developmental activities for a general or special education population.
- Performs remedial instruction or tasks to reinforce learning initiated by a teacher or professional staff.
- Works with students requiring individual or close attention.
- Observes and assists individual students experiencing difficulties.
- Assists the teacher with the development of individualized programs.
- Prepares a variety of instructional materials and reports, as requested.
- Works with individuals or small groups of students.
- Reads to students, listens to their recitations, and collaborates on reading strategies.
- Facilitates activities with groups of students engaged in drawing, writing, independent study, or other work.
- Assists with teaching classes of basic skills and may monitor a computer, writing, or other technology laboratories under general supervision.
- May assist with instructing students with special needs under the supervision of the teacher, including monitoring students on independent work.
- Supervises and monitors students in off-site vocational training and community travel settings, as assigned.
- Helps maintain order and assists with managing the behavior of students, including behavior intervention plans and crisis management.
- Proctors tests and examinations, corrects and scores objective tests.
- Maintains inventory and distributes textbooks and other instructional materials.
- Assists with maintenance of files containing student work and evaluation and assessment data; observes, gathers, and records assessment data on students; reviews observations/progress of students with instructional staff.
- Continues instructional activities during the teacher's absence from the classroom.
- Assists with routine care, including personal hygiene, feeding and other tasks, as required or requested.
- On occasion, serves as a substitute teacher.
- Performs related duties as required or assigned.
Work Environment/Physical Requirements
This job operates in a school environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard classroom equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, projectors, smartboards, filing cabinets, and assistive technology. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to regularly stand, sit, walk, bend, and/or kneel. This job requires lifting up to 35 lbs., and occasional lifting/moving up to 70 lbs. and/or use of a Hoyer lift.
Salary Grade
[Salary Information]
Classroom Instructional Support Scale-FEU-OP
Salary Range
Starting at $31,803
Job Type
Instructional Assistant
Instructional Level
Elementary
Contract Length
191-Day Contract
Percent Full-Time
Full Time
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Special Education - Instructional Assistant - One Year Only | Fairfax County Public Schools
Providence Elementary School
Summary
Performs a variety of paraprofessional curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to support teachers and other professional staff in a general or special education classroom or learning environment; assists with the daily management of the students and classroom.
Qualifications
Required
- Graduation from high school or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
- One (1) year of experience working with children as a volunteer or paid employee, or equivalent participation in any teacher education introductory course with the provision of documented support.
- Advanced degree(s) beyond the minimum degree requirement in a relevant field may be considered for some experience.
- For assignments to Title I schools:
- Associate degree; OR
- Two years of college (48 credit hours); OR
- Meet a rigorous standard of quality demonstrated through a state or local academic assessment knowledge of, and the ability to assist with, reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.
- Knowledge and understanding of child growth and development.
- Knowledge of instructional procedures and practices applicable to assignment;
- Knowledge of subject matter reinforcement practices of the classes to which assigned.
- Ability to implement teachers' instructional plans in assigned field.
- Ability to work effectively with students and staff.
- Ability to assist with the implementation of an instructional program and related technology, and to participate in monitoring and ensuring appropriate student behavior.
- Ability to learn and apply the instructional goals and policies of Fairfax County Public Schools.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions and to perform all required tasks.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Preferred
- For assignments to non-Title I schools:
- Associate degree; OR
- Two years of college (48 credit hours); OR
- Meet a rigorous standard of quality demonstrated through a state or local academic assessment knowledge of, and the ability to assist with, reading, writing, and mathematics instruction.
Major Duties/Essential Functions
- Performs curricular, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to assist teachers and other professional staff in a classroom or other instructional setting.
- Works with the teacher to provide instructional or developmental activities for a general or special education population.
- Performs remedial instruction or tasks to reinforce learning initiated by a teacher or professional staff.
- Works with students requiring individual or close attention.
- Observes and assists individual students experiencing difficulties.
- Assists the teacher with the development of individualized programs.
- Prepares a variety of instructional materials and reports, as requested.
- Works with individuals or small groups of students.
- Reads to students, listens to their recitations, and collaborates on reading strategies.
- Facilitates activities with groups of students engaged in drawing, writing, independent study, or other work.
- Assists with teaching classes of basic skills and may monitor a computer, writing, or other technology laboratories under general supervision.
- May assist with instructing students with special needs under the supervision of the teacher, including monitoring students on independent work.
- Supervises and monitors students in off-site vocational training and community travel settings, as assigned.
- Helps maintain order and assists with managing the behavior of students, including behavior intervention plans and crisis management.
- Proctors tests and examinations, corrects and scores objective tests.
- Maintains inventory and distributes textbooks and other instructional materials.
- Assists with maintenance of files containing student work and evaluation and assessment data; observes, gathers, and records assessment data on students; reviews observations/progress of students with instructional staff.
- Continues instructional activities during the teacher's absence from the classroom.
- Assists with routine care, including personal hygiene, feeding and other tasks, as required or requested.
- On occasion, serves as a substitute teacher.
- Performs related duties as required or assigned.
Work Environment/Physical Requirements
This job operates in a school environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard classroom equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, projectors, smartboards, filing cabinets, and assistive technology. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to regularly stand, sit, walk, bend, and/or kneel. This job requires lifting up to 35 lbs., and occasional lifting/moving up to 70 lbs. and/or use of a Hoyer lift.
Salary Grade
[Salary Information]
Classroom Instructional Support Scale-FEU-OP
Salary Range
Starting at $31,803
Job Type
Instructional Assistant
Instructional Level
Elementary
Contract Length
191-Day Contract
Percent Full-Time
Full Time
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Special Education - Instructional Assistant - One Year Only | Fairfax County Public Schools
Special Education Instructional Assistant Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsSpecial Education Instructional Assistant Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Wake County Public School System39
- Montgomery Public Schools9
- International Leadership of Texas8
- Sioux City Community School District7
- Mesa Public Schools - AZ6
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in special education instructional assistant jobs.
- High school diploma or GED, with many districts requiring some college coursework
- Experience supporting students with IEPs or 504 plans in a school setting
- Knowledge of behavior management strategies including positive behavior support
- Ability to implement instructional modifications under the direction of a special education teacher
- Current CPR and first aid certification, often required before start date
- Familiarity with data collection methods for tracking student progress toward IEP goals
Tips for Your Special Education Instructional Assistant Job Search
Highlight your specific disability experience
List the disability categories you've worked with directly, such as autism spectrum disorder, emotional and behavioral disorders, or multiple disabilities. Recruiters scan for these terms when filtering applicants, so naming them specifically beats vague phrases like 'diverse learners.'
Include your paraprofessional credential upfront
If you hold a Paraeducator Certificate, NCLB-compliant credential, or have completed 60 college credit hours, put that near the top of your resume. Many districts filter applications before review, and missing this detail can eliminate you automatically.
Filter openings by caseload type and setting
Search for roles specifying self-contained classrooms, inclusion settings, or one-to-one support separately. Your experience in a pull-out resource room is a different match than a co-taught general education classroom, so targeting the right setting improves your callback rate.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists special education instructional assistant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare examples of behavior support strategies
Interviewers frequently ask how you've handled escalating behaviors or implemented a student's behavior intervention plan. Have two or three concrete examples ready that describe the situation, the strategy you used, and the outcome for the student.
Ask about caseload size and IEP involvement during negotiations
Before accepting an offer, ask how many students you'll support simultaneously and whether you attend IEP meetings. These details define your daily workload and professional growth, and the answers help you compare offers that look identical on paper.
Special Education Instructional Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most special education instructional assistants?
Wake County Public School System, Montgomery Public Schools, and International Leadership of Texas are hiring the most special education instructional assistants right now, with openings concentrated in North Carolina, Texas, and Arizona, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to be highest in districts with growing special education enrollment and in states with strong paraeducator staffing mandates.
How many special education instructional assistant jobs are remote?
About 0% of special education instructional assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most work requires in-person student support. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote options include roles focused on virtual instruction support, telehealth-adjacent behavioral coaching, and administrative coordination for special education programs.
How do you become a special education instructional assistant?
Earn a high school diploma at minimum, though many districts require an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours to meet federal paraprofessional standards. Complete a background check, obtain CPR certification, and gain hands-on experience through volunteering or a supervised practicum in a special education setting. Some states require a paraprofessional license or certificate, so check your state's department of education requirements before applying.
Can you get hired as a special education instructional assistant with little or no experience?
Yes, many districts hire candidates with no paid experience if you can demonstrate relevant exposure, such as volunteer work with individuals with disabilities, coursework in special education or child development, or experience caring for a family member with complex needs. Applying for entry-level paraprofessional openings in higher-need schools or in summer extended school year programs is one practical way to build your first professional reference in the field.
What does the special education instructional assistant interview process look like?
Most hiring processes include an application screening, a phone or video interview with a human resources coordinator, and a final in-person interview with the special education department head or lead teacher. Interviewers typically ask scenario-based questions about managing student behaviors, supporting IEP goals, and working within a team alongside certified teachers and related service providers. Some districts require a brief classroom observation or a written exercise about handling a specific student situation.
Where can I find and apply to special education instructional assistant jobs?
You can find and apply to special education instructional assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience, disability specialization, and preferred setting, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 266+ Special Education Instructional Assistant Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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