Instructional Aide, Alternative Education - Biliterate (English/Spanish) Required. Grant-Funded Position Subject to Lay-off at End of Grant. en Santa Cruz County Office Of Education

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is committed to ensuring all students have the educational opportunities they need to thrive. We offer a wide range of services and programs geared at supporting our 10 public school districts and expanding educational opportunities and outcomes for the nearly 40,000 students who call Santa Cruz County home. We envision an impactful educational community where everyone feels they belong and have the resources, relationships, and skills to thrive. Our mission is to create an equitable educational system that fosters growth, opportunities, and well-being for all. We work alongside partners in Santa Cruz County’s educational community to build BRIDGES — Belonging, Relationships, Innovation, Data-informed decision-making, Growth mindsets, Excellence, and Sustainability — to equity in education. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is an equal opportunity employer.

The position will be assigned to the Career and Adult Learning Services (CALS) Department: Under general direction of the assigned administrator, assist certificated teachers in the instruction, supervision and/or care of assigned students in the Alternative Education programs; maintain an effective learning environment, and perform a variety of instructional and clerical functions in support of assigned classroom activities and programs. Exercise no supervision of other employees. Please note this grant-funded position is subject to layoff in May 2026. Work sites vary and will extend from across the county. This is a 10-month position in which the employee will report from August to May while school is in session.

Application Procedures: Applicants must submit a completed application and are encouraged to attach a résumé and proof that you have earned 48 semester or 60 quarter units of higher education to complete the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirement to the application material. Alternatively, those who cannot provide proof of higher education units are welcome to take the ESSA exam via Zoom to satisfy the requirement. Qualified applicants will be invited to an oral examination covering the knowledge and skills required. An eligibility list will be established and the top three ranks of candidates will be interviewed for final consideration and appointment. The eligibility list established will remain in effect for a period of six (6) months unless it no longer exists due to an insufficient number of available candidates. If an applicant needs reasonable accommodation, we must be informed prior to the administration of the test. Applicants will be invited to a bilingual and biliterate proficiency exam and must pass the Oral section to receive the 2.5% Bilingual Stipend or pass the Oral, Written and Reading sections to receive the 5% Biliterate Stipend. If selected, fingerprinting is required. You will need to supply our office with a negative (tuberculosis) PPD skin test clearance. The certificate is good for a four-year period. You can have the test done through the Santa Cruz Health Department, Doctors on Duty Clinic or by calling a physician or a clinic of your choice.

Please read the full job description. Education and Experience: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Additional specialized training in child development, education, or a related field is desirable. Some experience in working with high-risk students is desirable. License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license and appropriate vehicle operation insurance. Possession of, or ability to obtain, CPR and first aid certificates.

Based on the 2025-2026 Classified Salary Schedule (Salary range placement depends on education/experience).

Benefits: Employees assigned to this schedule are entitled to receive vision, dental and medical coverage for the employee and their dependents. Employees have a choice between various medical plans. Each plan may have an employee premium contribution amount for which the employee can utilize a tax sheltered Section 125 Plan. The COE contribution is prorated based on FTE. Retirement benefits are accrued through the Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS members are required to pay their portion of the retirement plan. The employee also receives long-term disability insurance and life insurance. For more information please review the Classified Summary of the Benefits Administration Page on the Santa Cruz County Office of Education website or read it on the link to the right under Links Related to this Job. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education provides an Associate Degree stipend of $375, a Bachelor’s Degree stipend of $750, a Master's Degree stipend of $1,500, a Doctorate Degree (no Master's) of $1,500 or a Doctorate Degree (with Master's) of an additional $400 per year for eligible employees. Degree stipend is prorated based upon full time equivalency.