Instructional Assistant II - Special Ed, Berkeley

Instructional Assistant I-Special Education

Employer: Berkeley Unified School District Salary: $23.92 - $29.19 Hourly Location: Varies, Berkeley, CA Job Type: School Year / 10 Months Department: Special Education Opening Date: 05/26/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Basic Function and Representative Duties

Basic function: Under the direction of a certificated administrator, assist certificated teachers and/or other service providers in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of students with special needs; assist in providing learning activities and meeting the special needs of assigned students in areas related to feeding, toileting, positioning, hygiene, motor skills, sensory and physical therapy functions; monitor health conditions. Assist in the preparation of instructional materials and implementation of Individual Education Programs; provide routine clerical duties in support of educational program.Distinguishing characteristics: Instructional Assistant I-Special Education incumbents provide instructional support to students classified with mild to moderate learning and/or emotional disabilities. Instructional Assistant II-Special Education incumbents provide instructional support, health and hygiene services and behavior modifications to students classified with mild to moderate or moderate to severe learning and/or emotional disabilities. Incumbents in this class may be trained in specialized health care procedures.Representative duties: Essential duties include assisting instructional staff and/or other service providers in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of students classified with mild to moderate or moderate to severe learning and/or emotional disabilities in a classroom or other learning environment; monitoring and reinforcing student drills, practices and assignments in various subjects; assisting with the implementation of Individual Education Programs; monitoring student health conditions; responding to seizures, respiratory problems and other medical emergencies according to District protocols; preparing related paperwork as appropriate; notifying appropriate staff of student health conditions and progress; observing, monitoring and redirecting behavior of students in accordance with grade level, student's ability to understand discipline and approved procedures; utilizing approved techniques for responding to students whose behavior may escalate to self-injurious or physically aggressive acts, including spitting, pinching, biting, hair-pulling, kicking and hitting; collecting data and monitoring progress; assisting students in completing classroom assignments, homework and projects in various subject areas; ensuring student understanding of classroom rules and procedures; assisting students by answering questions, providing proper examples, emotional support, positive attitude and general guidance; conferring with instructional staff and/or other service providers concerning adapting lesson plans and materials to meet student needs; assisting students with personal hygiene including bathing, brushing teeth and grooming as required; assisting students with eating activities; toileting students and changing diapers and soiled clothing as required; monitoring and assisting students with activities to develop small muscle and eye-hand coordination; assisting students in learning gross motor skills such as walking, jumping and climbing; assisting students in learning fine motor skills such as reaching, grabbing, folding, cutting and writing; performing routine clerical duties in support of educational activities such as preparing, typing, duplicating and filing instructional materials; distributing and collecting student assignments, documents and various forms; reinforcing concepts and ensuring student understanding of assignments and homework instructions; reinforcing vocabulary and concepts as necessary; assisting students with meeting individual education goals and objectives; collecting data and reporting progress regarding student performance and behavior; observing and redirecting behavior of students according to approved procedures; monitoring and interacting with students during outdoor, physical education and other recreational activities as directed; developing incentives as positive reinforcement; reinforcing behavior modification techniques determined by the teacher; assisting with maintaining student records and files related to progress, behavior and assigned activities; preparing mandated time accounting reports and documentation as required; collecting data and monitoring student progress; assisting students to perform and develop independent living and self-help skills such as shopping, counting money, cleaning and related activities as assigned; assisting students to develop social, vocational and job searching skills as assigned; reading books to students and observing their reading abilities; assisting students with letter and word pronunciation and recognition; assisting students with assignments such as reading, writing and mathematics; escorting students during the regular duty day as assigned to and from designated locations; accompanying students on fieldtrips, recreational therapy activities, social events and during outdoor activities; may accompany students to District-sponsored events or recreational functions; assisting in maintaining the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; assisting in maintaining a learning environment in a safe, orderly and clean manner; providing classroom support by setting up work areas and displays and distributing and collecting paper, supplies and materials; maintaining confidentiality of student information in accordance with state and federal mandates; operating a variety of office and classroom equipment including a copier, computer and software as appropriate; communicating with faculty, staff, administrators and others to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns; answering telephone calls, taking messages and providing general class and student information as assigned; responding to student medical emergencies according to District protocol and preparing related paperwork as appropriate; assisting in monitoring, classroom supplies; assisting in ordering and arranging food items as appropriate; performing related duties as assigned.Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Guidance principles and practices related to students with special needs Basic subjects taught in local schools, including basic and advanced arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language, history, science and reading Basic instructional methods and techniques Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary Challenges and concerns of students with special needs Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct Safe practices in classroom and playground activities Operation of standard office and classroom equipment including a computer Oral and written communication skills Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and professionalism Basic record-keeping and report preparation techniques Serving students with disabilities in full-inclusion settings Ability to: Assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment Reinforce instruction to individual or small groups of students with special needs Assist in the preparation of instructional materials in support of Individual Education Programs Perform routine clerical duties including keyboarding, filing and duplicating materials Understand and relate to students with special needs Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others Communicate effectively both orally and in writing Demonstrate an understanding, patient and receptive attitude toward students with special needs Read books to students and assist with reading and writing activities Collect data, monitor, observe and report student behavior and progress Understand and follow oral and written instructions Operate standard office and classroom equipment including a computer Observe health and safety regulations Prepare routine reportsEducation, Experience and Other Requirements

Education and experience: Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school and one year experience working with students with special needs in an organized setting Licenses and other requirements: Valid first aid and CPR certificates issued by authorized agency preferred Incumbents must meet requirements specified under the No Child Left Behind Act Some incumbents in this classification may be required to speak, read and write in a designated second languageWorking Conditions and Additional Information

Environment: Classroom and other indoor and outdoor learning environments Physical demands: Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate standard office and classroom equipment Sitting or standing for extended periods of time Bending at the waist and/or kneeling to assist students Lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling students weighing up to 50 pounds and with assistance for over 50 pounds Seeing to read a variety of materials and monitor student activities Hearing and speaking to exchange information Hazards: Contact with dissatisfied, assaultive or abusive individuals Potential physical hazards involved in intervening in fights and other anti-social, and violent behaviors Exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases Examination information: The first step in the examination process is the application screening and whether or not the candidate meets the minimum qualifications listed. The testing process may consist of a written exam; an oral exam; a performance exam; a structured interview (SI); a qualification appraisal interview (QAI); an evaluation of training&experience/education (T&E) and/or any combination …