Special Education Instructional Assistant II - Capitol

California Montessori Project • Sacramento, CA

25d • Onsite

About The Position

California Montessori Project (CMP), a tuition-free TK–8 public charter school network serving more than 3,000 students across seven campuses in the greater Sacramento area, is hiring a part-time Instructional Assistant II for its Capitol campus. The role assists classroom teachers and school professionals in supporting students, including special education and TKK students, and works under the supervision of the site’s special education teacher. The assistant supports students across a range of ages and abilities, helping with academic and personal growth and contributing to an inclusive, safe, and supportive learning environment.

The position provides instructional, behavioral, and daily-living support. Duties include assisting with individualized education plans (IEPs), curriculum adaptations, behavior intervention plans (BIPs), and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS); providing one-on-one and small-group support; and, when assigned, serving as a dedicated aide for an individual student. The assistant may also support personal care, mobility, toileting, transitions, and brief supervision of student groups. The position is classified, non-exempt, and scheduled for 192 working days on an 11-month calendar, plus 11 holidays. Pay is hourly on the Instructional Assistant pay scale; the posting lists the IA II (SpED/TK) scale at $21.50–$27.75 per hour across its listed steps.

CMP’s mission is to provide a quality, tuition-free TK–8 Montessori education that challenges students to reach their full potential. Its student-support approach is anchored in Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and PBIS frameworks.

Requirements

• Associate degree, 48 college educational units, or the ability to pass a paraprofessional exam.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with students, teachers, and other professionals.
• Empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to positively support students with diverse abilities.
• Ability to accurately follow and implement instructions from teachers and specialists.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow ethical guidelines when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to remain patient, compassionate, and composed in challenging situations.
• Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including moving around classrooms, assisting with mobility and personal care, occasionally lifting students or materials, and sitting or standing for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

• Education or experience in special education or a related field.
• Montessori experience.

Responsibilities

• Help create and maintain a safe, nurturing, inclusive classroom environment that supports students’ emotional well-being and academic growth.
• Monitor classroom operations, student safety, interactions, engagement, and educational activities.
• Support students during instruction so they remain engaged, on task, and able to understand the material.
• Assist teachers with modifying assignments and assessments and adapting curriculum materials to students’ individual needs.
• Assist in implementing students’ individualized education plans (IEPs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs), and use PBIS strategies to teach and reinforce desired behaviors.
• Help manage classroom behavior and de-escalate tense situations.
• Provide one-on-one and small-group support to students with special needs, including students with learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, and other exceptionalities.
• When assigned as a 1:1 aide, support an individual student’s classroom participation and access to the curriculum alongside peers.
• Assist students with daily tasks, personal care, mobility, transitions, and toileting as necessary, following required training and guidelines.
• Coordinate with teachers and other instructional assistants to support students’ needs throughout the day.
• Maintain records of student performance, behavior, and achievements and contribute to progress reporting; collect data under the supervision of the case manager and/or CMP BCBA.
• Participate in meetings with teachers and other school professionals about student progress, goals, and strategies as needed.
• Prepare and organize classroom materials, resources, and activities, and model appropriate social interactions.
• Coordinate with teachers on homework club, tutoring, student educational needs, and extracurricular activities as necessary.
• Complete accident and injury reports in accordance with school policies and notify teachers or administration of unusual circumstances, including illness, injury, accidents, and infectious disease.
• Clean and sanitize manipulatives and apparatuses regularly, and maintain classroom order, including dusting, mopping, and vacuuming as necessary.
• Support students during assigned disciplinary measures, which may include in-house suspension and social isolation, while maintaining attentive supervision.
• May independently supervise small or large groups briefly, such as during lunch, recess, or transitions.
• Follow applicable state and government regulations, school procedures, safety protocols, health and hygiene standards, and appropriate assistance techniques.
• Attend relevant professional development and perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Sick leave, paid holidays, and vacation as applicable by position.
• 403(b) and 457 retirement plans through CalSTRS Pension2, according to California law, the California Education Code, and CMP policy.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for full-time positions, with coverage for eligible dependents.
• Access to free before- and after-school care through Club M for employees with students enrolled at a CMP campus, subject to availability; application fees apply.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential support for personal or work-related challenges.
• Access to Nivati, a mental health platform offering counseling, coaching, and wellness tools.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree