What are the responsibilities and job description for the STARS Instructional Assistant - Broad Ford School - GCPS position at Garrett County Public Schools?
- Associate Degree, 48 hours of college credit, or a passing score on the ParaPro Assessment
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to perform basic math
- Ability to present information to others
- Ability to understand, explain, and use data
- Ability to understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions
- Ability to organize, supervise, and work with individual or groups of students, teachers, and other stakeholders
- Ability to problem-solve, work independently and as part of a team, and function without distractions
- Strong stakeholder (i.e., students, staff, administration, parents, general public, community agencies, etc.) service skills
- History of professionalism and strong work ethic
- Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment • Ability to multitask
- Ability to stand, sit, walk, feel, climb, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, push, pull, and carry
- Good hearing, vision, depth perception, and peripheral vision
- Ability to lift and transport heavy to moderately heavy objects averaging 50-75 lbs.
- Ability to lift and assist students with special healthcare needs, including toileting
- Significant dexterity of hands and fingers
- Ability to serve as a positive role model for students, staff, and other stakeholders
- Regular and predictable attendance
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the job either with or without reasonable accommodations
- Previous work experience with special needs students or students with significant behaviors
- CPR and First Aid certification
- RBT Certification
- General understanding of child growth, development, and behavior characteristics
- Knowledge of instructional and behavioral strategies
- Knowledge of special education vocabulary, definitions, and acronyms
- Adapt classroom activities, assignments, and/or materials under the direction of the classroom teacher.
- Assist students with special healthcare needs (e.g., toileting, feeding, gastric tube feeding, grooming, etc.).
- Confer with teachers, as requested, to evaluate student progress, coordinate tests and homework assignments, and/or implement IEP objectives.
- Work with individuals and small groups, as assigned by the classroom teacher.
- Provide programed practice activities and repetitions developed by a teacher, therapist, pathologist, or other medical professional.
- Implement behavioral plans designed by the IEP teams and Student Service teams.
- Provide Support for transition to the regular school environment
- Maintain academic and behavioral data to reflect student progress.
- Participate in STARS Family Nights
- Supervise students (e.g., classroom, hallway, restroom, cafeteria, field trips, etc.).
- Prepare/process food and assist in the feeding of medically fragile students.
- Lift, move, and operate adaptive equipment.
- Assist students with mobility needs (e.g., lifting, positioning, loading and unloading, etc.).
- Report and record observations and incidents.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Perform related clerical duties and responsibilities.
- Respond immediately and appropriately to emergency situations (e.g., injuries, fights, elopement, etc.).
- Take all appropriate safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Attend and actively participate in appropriate job-related professional development.
- Contribute to the short-term and long-term successes of students, staff, school, and the system in general.
- Engage in life-long learning of professional and technical knowledge by attending appropriate workshops, reviewing professional publications and websites, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.
- Present courteous and professional demeanor at all times.
- Demonstrate proficiency, flexibility, self-motivation, accountability and ownership, and positive demeanor
- Perform other duties as assigned.
JobID: 1066
Position Type:
Support Staff/Instructional Assistant
Support Staff/Instructional Assistant
Date Posted:
4/6/2026
4/6/2026
Location:
All Elementary Schools
All Elementary Schools
STARS Instructional Assistant - Broad Ford School
Position: Instructional Assistant in the STARS Program
Location(s): Elementary School (location of employment could change based on student needs within the system)
Terms: 7.6 hour per day, 187 days per year
Status: Full-Time
Salary: In accordance with the established Support Salary Scale ($30,136 - 34,145), commensurate with education and experience
Supervisor: Principal, Director of Elementary Education, and/or Director of Student Services
Availability: Immediately
Deadline: Applications received by 11:59 p.m. on April 11, 2026 will be considered for the initial interviews and will be given first consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
Job Description:
The STARS instructional assistant will provide essential academic and behavioral support within the STARS program.
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Duties and Responsibilities:
The following duties and responsibilities are intended only as examples. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility does not exclude it from the position if the work is a similar, related, or logical assignment.
The special education instructional assistant will:
Total Compensation Benefits:
Comprehensive benefits include healthcare (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, and participation in the Maryland Retirement and Pension Plan, with optional 403(b) contributions. Employees receive paid sick leave, personal days, vacation (based on the position), and access to wellness programs and employee assistance resources.
Questions:
If you have questions and require assistance accessing or completing the online application, contact the Office of Human Resources and Employee Relations at 301-334-8904.
Accommodation Requests:
If you are contacted for an interview, please notify the Office of Human Resources and Employee Relations of any reasonable disability-related accommodation requests.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Garrett County Board of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any federal, or state or local protected class. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Human Resources and Employee Relations at 301-334-8904.
Salary : $30,136 - $34,145