Instructional Assistant - Black Hills Acadamy

About the Role

Step into a role where every day brings the opportunity to truly change lives. As an Instructional Assistant, you will work side‑by‑side with instructors and alternative education students ages 10‑17 who often come to us after experiencing significant challenges in traditional school settings. Many of our students have faced trauma and adverse life experiences, and they need patient, consistent, and compassionate adults who understand that behavior is often rooted in those experiences.

In this role, you will support academic learning while also helping foster emotional regulation, resilience, and a safe, inclusive classroom community. The position requires strong collaboration, adaptability, and the ability to de‑escalate situations calmly and effectively. At times, staff may be required to use approved nonviolent crisis intervention techniques, including physical restraint, when a student poses a safety risk to themselves or others.

Ongoing training and support are provided.

If you are steady under pressure, committed to trauma‑informed practices, and ready to be part of a team dedicated to meaningful, life‑changing work for alternative students, we encourage you to apply.

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative (BHSSC) is a public entity that is an educational cooperative under the State of South Dakota. BHSSC is comprised of five divisions dedicated to aiding school districts, individuals, and the communities.

Wage: $19.00/hour

Full‑time, non‑exempt

Spearfish, SD

• Support the instructor in all aspects of the student's education.
• Ensure a safe environment for students and staff.
• Discuss assigned teaching areas with instructors to coordinate instructional efforts.
• Use provided training to help de‑escalate students.
• Interact with students utilizing a variety of methods, such as lecturing, demonstrating, and using audiovisual aids and other materials to supplement presentations.
• Assist all students, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts with the instructor.
• Assist the instructor in modifying or adapting the curriculum to meet the student's needs.
• Meet with instructors to discuss student progress and problems as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or GED Certificate.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work well with subordinates and educational professionals.
• Ability to tutor students in the academic areas as determined by instructors.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

• Health, Dental, and Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account Options
• South Dakota Retirement
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave

Bhssc.org

Because BHSSC is an educational cooperative under the State of South Dakota, all employees are required to undergo a criminal background investigation.