INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT I - (BLIND ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL) 48008488

Requisition No: 860686 

Agency: School for the Deaf & Blind

Working Title: INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT I - (BLIND ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL) 48008488

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48008488 

Salary: $29,874.00 - $37,374.00 

Posting Closing Date: 09/25/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB)

Instructional Assistant (Career Service)

Position Number 48008488

Department: Blind Elementary/Middle School

Who are we?

FSDB is a state public school available at no cost to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind, including boarding and transportation services. FSDB is nationally recognized for its comprehensive educational services, designed for the unique communication and accessibility needs of students. FSDB also provides educational outreach programs for children ages 0-5 and their families. The FSDB experience provides students with the edge to do more, be more, and achieve more.

How you will make an impact

The incumbent of this position works as an Instructional Assistant in a state-mandated academic program.

• Assists classroom teacher with classroom instruction, redirection of students who are off-task, behavior management, role playing, planning and preparation for field trips and special events, recordkeeping, attendance, and grading classwork. Develops learning materials for students (independently or as directed by the classroom teacher). Supervises students during school time, lunch time, recess time, and before and after school hours. Writes and submits student occurrence reports to the assistant principal on significant occurrences. Substitutes and maintains the instructional momentum of the program in the absence of the teacher. Assists students in understanding and completing classroom assignments. Provides remedial assistance to students having difficulty achieving objectives in their specific subject areas. Accompanies students on scheduled appointments and medical trips. Duties may include instructing and assisting students with activities of daily living which may include personal hygiene, toileting, and self-care tasks as assigned.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective communication;
• Ability to prepare and maintain records;
• Ability to implement and maintain individual programs for students;
• Ability to plan and prepare educational materials;
• Ability to instruct and/or assist students in social and daily living skills, such as personal hygiene, toileting, and self-care tasks, etc.;
• Ability to communicate in the appropriate modes for assigned students;
• Ability to document and follow through on behavior programs;
• Ability to assist in classroom with small group and individual activities;
• Ability to write reports and to pay attention to details;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; Ability to supervise and transport/escort students independently;
• Ability to attain sign language proficiency level in accordance with FSDB O.P.P.1.24;
• Ability to complete training and administer skills acquired during CPR and CPI;

Qualifications

Completion of 60 college semester hours from an accredited institution; or Associate of Arts Degree or higher; or high school diploma and a score of 464 or higher on the Para Pro Assessment. **Proof of education will need to be provided at time of interview.**

Sign Language Requirements

Applicants who are selected for hire will be encouraged to learn American Sign Language.

Please note: The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind provides education to acquire sign language skills.

Hiring Salary Range 10 month position: $29,874.00 - $37,374.00 annually. (paid biweekly over 26-pays) This range is inclusive of verified experience and education.

*Base $29,874.00

Associate’s degree addl $1500.00

Bachelor’s degree addl $3000.00

Master’s degree addl $4500.00

Additional Related and verified Full-time Experience (20-year max) addl $150.00 per year

Hours Monday-Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm

Vision

FSDB will prepare each student for a lifetime of success.

Mission

The mission of FSDB is to utilize all available talent, energy, and resources to provide free appropriate public education for eligible sensory impaired students of Florida. As a school of academic excellence, the school shall strive to provide students an opportunity to access education services in caring, safe, unique learning environment to prepare them to be literate, employable, and independent lifelong learners. The school shall provide outreach services that include collaboration with district school boards and shall encourage input from students, staff, parents, and the community. As a diverse organization, the school shall foster respect and understanding for each individual. (Section 1002.36, Florida Statutes)

Values

Integrity & Respect – The FSDB community is a cohesive group that serves with honor, care, kindness and responsibility.

Safety & Security – The FSDB community is committed to the protection and well-being of stakeholders.

Innovation – The FSDB community welcomes change and embraces a continuous improvement mindset to encourage new methods to solve problems and foster creativity and growth.

Trust – The FSDB community is committed to high quality services and accountability through honest, reliable and consistent actions.

Our benefits include:

• Automatic enrollment into the Florida Retirement System.
• Medical insurance coverage is $90 per pay period for family coverage; $25 per pay period for employee only.
• Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage.
• Low-cost supplemental benefit packages that include dental, vision, and much more.
• Professional development opportunities and ability to learn American Sign Language on campus at no cost.
• Tuition waiver program – earn up to 6 credit hours per semester at state universities.
• Biweekly accrual up to four (4) hours of sick leave and annual leave.
• Paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.

How You Will Grow

FSDB provides staff members with opportunities to grow professionally, enhancing their ability to support students' growth. School- and state-required training and skills development is offered both online and in-person for academic and non-academic staff members.

Condition of employment

Applicants under consideration for employment at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind will be required to complete background investigation. Fingerprints will be taken and sent to the Florida Department of Law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a background check of your criminal history record(s) at the state and national level. FSDB is a drug-free workplace.

To apply

Applications accepted through People First only.

An attached resume is not a substitute for the information required on the application. It is the responsibility of all applicants to keep their application current.

All members of the Florida Retirement System are required to contribute 3% of their salary on a pre-tax basis.

To access additional information please log on to and in Keywords enter 48008488

Take this opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life and become part of a great School. Apply today!

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.