Paraprofessional ESP

Haverhill Public Schools•Haverhill, MA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Haverhill Public Schools seeks a full-time Educational Support Personnel – Special Education employee for Bartlett School and Assessment Center. The position is effective for the 2026–2027 school year. Work is scheduled for either 10 months (182 days) or 12 months (227 days), for 6, 6.5, or 7 hours per day. Salary follows the Educational Support Personnel Salary Scale: $30,509.57 per year with an associate degree or equivalent, or $34,472.62 per year with a bachelor’s degree. Under the supervision of a certified teacher, the employee prepares for instructional and other activities and supports students in accordance with their IEPs. The role provides classroom support in academics, social skills, self-care, vocational tasks, behavior, generalization of skills, and community integration. The employee works with individuals and small groups, reinforces teacher-led instruction, implements teacher-designed curriculum modifications and accommodations, collects data, observes and records student performance and behavior, and assists with instructional technology and online platforms, both in person and virtually. The position also involves implementing treatment, safety, and behavior plans; using ABA strategies, discrete trials, de-escalation techniques, and positive behavioral interventions; and working as part of a team that may include BCBA and RBT staff. Training is provided for ABA strategies and full restraint training, with the expectation that the employee can achieve Safety Care certification. Duties may include toileting and diaper changing, lifting or positioning students when required by an IEP, supervising students during breaks, lunch, transitions, community trips, drills, and assemblies, and covering for absent teaching staff. Additional administrative and school duties may be assigned by school leadership.

Requirements

Pass the Para Pro Test or another state-approved assessment program, have 48 college credits, or hold an associate degree.
Willingness to accept direction and cooperate with all staff.
Ability to use good judgment, tact, and diplomacy; respect confidential matters; and demonstrate sensitivity and respect toward children.
Ability to learn and use assistive technology and online platforms such as Google Meet and Google Classroom, in person and virtually.
Ability to achieve Safety Care certification; full restraint training is provided.
Ability to move around offices, classrooms, and buildings, use stairs, kneel, and move on and off floor mats.
Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 20 pounds, and to lift or carry materials, items, or persons weighing up to 75 pounds with assistance when students need positioning.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability preferred.
Prior experience working with children in a school or similar setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare for classroom instruction and other educational or non-educational activities under a certified teacher’s supervision and in accordance with students’ IEPs.
Assist teachers in implementing strategies and interventions to reinforce material and skills based on students’ individual needs, interests, and abilities.
Provide appropriate role modeling and treat students with respect.
Support students’ academic, social, self-care, and vocational learning, including skill development and community integration.
Address student behavior and encourage effort in the classroom.
Complete onboarding and become familiar with student IEPs and district policies and procedures.
Communicate with teachers about students and specific instruction related to goal attainment.
Assist with behavioral interventions and implement treatment plans, safety plans, and behavior plans.
Collect data as instructed and work as a team with other staff, including BCBA and RBT personnel.
Apply ABA strategies, execute discrete trials, use de-escalation techniques, and provide positive behavioral interventions.
Work with individuals and small groups to reinforce instruction, support self-help and independence skills, conduct remedial and review exercises, aid independent or enrichment work, and help students master assigned tasks.
Assist with test taking, instructional technology, and reading to students.
Observe students and record notes on performance and behavior.
Implement curriculum modifications and accommodations designed by professional staff.
Escort and supervise students throughout the school and provide supervision during breaks, lunches, community trips, fire drills, assemblies, and other assigned times.
Proctor testing, provide make-up work assistance, and assist with toileting, including diaper changing, when required.
Cover for absent teaching staff and assist students outside their regular assignment as requested.
Set up and operate instructional or assistive technology under teacher direction.
Participate in relevant professional development.
Perform other duties assigned by the Principal, Director of Special Education, Superintendent of Schools, or their designees.