Instructional Assistant III American River
Job Location:
Fair Oaks, CA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not provided by the employer
Posted:
30 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline:
27 October 2026
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Job Title: Instructional Assistant III
Reports To/Supervisor: Campus Principal
Location: American River
Classification: Full-time Non-Exempt Classified
Number of Working Days: 192 days
Work Calendar: 11 Month Hourly - 101 Days (11 Holidays)
Salary/Pay Rate: On the Instructional Assistant Pay Scale
Summary/Objective
An Instructional Assistant III (IAIII) reports to the Principal and is responsible for assisting in the classroom with all students including special education students as needed. IAIIIs work in collaboration with teachers and other school professionals and are crucial in creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment wherever assigned. An Instructional Assistant III will spend a substantial portion of their time providing intervention to students who exhibit disruptive aggressive and/or self injurious behaviors associated with the ED or autistic designation with special needs supporting them in their academic and personal growth under the supervision of the special education teacher. Collaboration with teachers and other professionals will be crucial in creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Essential Functions
Classroom Environment & Safety
Reports To/Supervisor: Campus Principal
Location: American River
Classification: Full-time Non-Exempt Classified
Number of Working Days: 192 days
Work Calendar: 11 Month Hourly - 101 Days (11 Holidays)
Salary/Pay Rate: On the Instructional Assistant Pay Scale
Summary/Objective
An Instructional Assistant III (IAIII) reports to the Principal and is responsible for assisting in the classroom with all students including special education students as needed. IAIIIs work in collaboration with teachers and other school professionals and are crucial in creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment wherever assigned. An Instructional Assistant III will spend a substantial portion of their time providing intervention to students who exhibit disruptive aggressive and/or self injurious behaviors associated with the ED or autistic designation with special needs supporting them in their academic and personal growth under the supervision of the special education teacher. Collaboration with teachers and other professionals will be crucial in creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Essential Functions
Classroom Environment & Safety
- Contribute to the creation and maintenance of a safe and nurturing learning environment that promotes emotional well-being and academic growth.
- Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment by promoting respect understanding and cooperation among all students directing children in a positive and respectful environment.
- Monitor and observe the daily operation of classrooms for safety positive interaction and productive educational activity.
- Notify Teacher and/or Administration of unusual circumstances to include infectious disease injury illness and accident.
- Adhere to state and government regulations appropriate to school operational procedures.
- Clean and sanitize all manipulative materials and apparatuses often (weekly).
- Maintain a neat and orderly classroom to include dusting mopping and vacuuming as necessary.
- Complete required reports related to accidents and injuries in accordance with school policies
- May be required to independently supervise small or large groups of students for brief periods (e.g. during lunch recess or transitions) without direct support from another adults.
Instructional & Academic Support
- Assist in the preparation and organization of classroom materials resources and activities.
- Support students during instructional activities ensuring they are engaged on task and comprehending the material being presented.
- Coordinate with teachers for homework club tutoring student educational needs and extra curricular activities as necessary.
- Collaborate with classroom teachers to modify assignments and assessments as needed to accommodate individual student requirements.
- Participate in meetings with teachers and other school professionals to discuss student progress goals and strategies as necessary.
- Student Support & Behavior Management
- Model appropriate social interactions with students and peers.
- Help manage classroom behavior by implementing strategies outlined in behavior intervention plans (BIPs) use Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to help teach and reinforce desired behaviors and effectively de-escalate tense situations.
- Support students during assigned disciplinary measures which may include in-house suspension and social isolation. Attentive supervision will contribute to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for all students involved.
Special Education & Individualized Support
- Provide the highest level of support to students with more intensive needs (e.g. medically fragile students students with more severe behaviors that may constitute a safety risk for the student or staff).
- Assist the classroom teacher in implementing individualized education plans (IEPs) and adapting curriculum materials to meet the diverse needs of students.
- Provide one-on-one and small group support to students with special needs including those with learning disabilities behavioral challenges and other exceptionalities under the supervision of the teacher.
- If assigned as a 1:1 instructional aide provide support to a specific student helping the student succeed in the classroom and ensuring access to the curriculum alongside their peers. Provide assistance with daily tasks such as personal care mobility and transitioning between activities.
- Complete the required toileting training and provide toileting support according to the guidelines for students as necessary.
- Coordinate with other IAs throughout the day to support the needs of multiple students when necessary.
Data Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records of student performance behavior and achievements and contribute to progress reporting. Data collection will be supervised by case manager and/or CMP BCBA.
- Professionalism & Development
- Attend relevant professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and stay up-to-date with best practices in special education.
- Must be CPI trained annually while employed with CMP.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with students teachers and other professionals.
- Empathy patience and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of students with diverse abilities.
- Ability to follow and implement instructions from teachers and specialists accurately.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines in working with sensitive information.
Physical Demands
The role of an Instructional Assistant III involves various physical demands due to the nature of working with students. These demands may include:
- Mobility: Moving around the classroom assisting students with mobility challenges and transitioning between activities.
- Lifting: Occasionally lifting and assisting students with physical disabilities as well as lifting and arranging classroom materials.
- Sitting and Standing: Engaging with students teachers and activities while both sitting and standing for extended periods.
- Physical Assistance: Providing support with personal care tasks which might involve assisting with feeding toileting and other activities of daily living.
- Adapting to Student Needs: Quickly responding to unexpected situations such as helping a student who is experiencing a behavioral challenge.
Travel Requirements
Minimal or None
Required Education and Experience
Associates Degree 48 college educational units or the ability to pass a paraprofessional exam
Preferred Education and Experience
Special Education or related field
Montessori experience
AAP/EEO Statement: It is the policy of California Montessori Project to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability marital status veteran status sexual orientation gender identity genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy applies to all employment practices including recruitment hiring compensation promotion training and termination.
Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Placement for this position will be on the IA III (Sped) Column.
Creditable Service for Instructional Assistant
Instructional Assistant Salary Scale allows for:
- 1 step for every year of full time full year equivalent experiencemax of 8 years
Montessori Credits:
-Montessori applies only to fully completed certificate programs from accredited Montessori training centers.
Steps | IA I | IA I w/ Montessori Credential | IA II (Sped/TK) | IA III (Sped) |
1 | $19.50 | $20.50 | $21.50 | $23.50 |
2 | $19.75 | $20.75 | $21.75 | $23.75 |
3 | $20.00 | $21.00 | $22.00 | $24.00 |
4 | $20.25 | $21.25 | $22.25 | $24.25 |
5 | $20.50 | $21.50 | $22.50 | $24.50 |
6 | $20.75 | $21.75 | $22.75 | $24.75 |
7 | $21.00 | $22.00 | $23.00 | $25.00 |
8 | $21.25 | $22.25 | $23.25 | $25.25 |
9 | $21.50 | $22.50 | $23.50 | $25.50 |
10 | $21.75 | $22.75 | $23.75 | $25.75 |
11 | $22.00 | $23.00 | $24.00 | $26.00 |
12 | $22.25 | $23.25 | $24.25 | $26.25 |
13 | $22.50 | $23.50 | $24.50 | $26.50 |
14 | $22.75 | $23.75 | $24.75 | $26.75 |
15 | $23.00 | $24.00 | $25.00 | $27.00 |
16 | $23.25 | $24.25 | $25.25 | $27.25 |
17 | $23.50 | $24.50 | $25.50 | $27.50 |
18 | $23.75 | $24.75 | $25.75 | $27.75 |
19 | $24.00 | $25.00 | $26.00 | $28.00 |
20 | $24.25 | $25.25 | $26.25 | $28.25 |
21 | $24.50 | $25.50 | $26.50 | $28.50 |
22 | $24.75 | $25.75 | $26.75 | $28.75 |
23 | $25.00 | $26.00 | $27.00 | $29.00 |
24 | $25.25 | $26.25 | $27.25 | $29.25 |
25 | $25.50 | $26.50 | $27.50 | $29.50 |
26 | $25.75 | $26.75 | $27.75 | $29.75 |
Required Experience:
Junior IC