Position: Instructional Assistant - Special Education

Position Type: Full-time

Department: Special Education

Location: Cunniff Elementary School

Reports to: School Principal       

Affiliation: WEA Unit D

Salary range: Per the Unit D Salary Scale

 

General Description:

Instructional Assistants will assist teachers in providing an innovative, high quality education program designed to meet the needs of the children in the Watertown Public Schools. Paraprofessionals will work with school staff to create an educational environment in which quality and continuity are key factors in educating the students of the Watertown Public Schools. This position includes supporting students with special education needs in both inclusive and specialized settings.

 

Responsibilities:

Under direction from the school administration, general education teacher, special education teacher, and related service providers, provide needed supports to students during instructional periods as well as non-instructional activities

• Maintain student data as directed by teachers /related service providers
• Follow and implement behavior support plans as provided by teachers/related service providers
• Provide overall support to the classroom teacher and student, based on the needs of the student and the classroom
• Incorporate knowledge of student learning styles and child development to assist student learning
• Recognize when teaching and learning strategies are not successful and seek the guidance of the classroom teacher to adapt assistance accordingly
• Provide verbal support, prompting, redirection, and modeling in helping the student(s) access the activities of the curriculum
• React professionally and objectively to unpredictable situations (e.g. environmental changes, behavior/aggression, etc.)
• Perform other duties as required.

 

Qualifications Required:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of two years experience working with young children.
• Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment
• Flexibility with respect to age groups, assignments
• Ability to follow through with directions
• Experience working with students at the elementary level who have significant learning and social/emotional needs
• Experience implementing Behavior Intervention Plans and an understanding of functions of behaviors
• Must have experience with or ability to learn ABA methodology and techniques
• Ability to take initiative to complete tasks and to assist students with de-escalation techniques and executive functioning skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as a part of a team
• Experience with, or ability to learn to utilize, assistive technology and PECS functional communication systems in support of students

 

Preferred:

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.
• Certification as a teacher or license as a social worker.

 

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer
Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.