Long-Term Substitute Instructional Assistant - Special Education (Anticipated until 2/25/26)

Watertown Public Schools • Watertown, MA

6d • $135 • Onsite

About The Position

Watertown Public Schools seeks an outstanding Instructional Assistant to support students with disabilities in accessing their education.

Requirements

• 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
• Instructional Assistants may be required to supervise students in a variety of settings, which requires the ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• This position may require staff to intervene with students who are in behavioral crisis, which requires a normal degree of flexibility; the ability to stand, walk, run, and shuffle for at least several minutes; the ability to kneel on one knee and two knees and then stand up; to bend the trunk at 45 degrees and twist to either side; to grasp firmly; to raise the hands above the head, and to learn and correctly demonstrate multi-step physical skills.
• Instructional Assistants may need to assist students with toileting needs, which may require the ability to lift and pivot.
• Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination and the ability to distinguish color.
• The employee must be able to read printed matter with or without visual aids.
• The employee must be able to visually supervise students in small and large group settings as well as vocational or community settings.
• The employee must be able to communicate effectively with other staff members in order to exchange accurate information.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Experience supporting students with disabilities in a public school setting preferred

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
• Perform other duties as required.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level