Short-Term Substitute Instructional Assistant - Special Education (Anticipated 5/26/26 until End of Year)

Watertown Public Schools • Watertown, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Watertown Public Schools seeks an outstanding Instructional Assistant to support students with disabilities in accessing their education. This is a temporary Short Term Substitute position expected to run until the end of the school year.

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.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• 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.
• Ability to lift and pivot (may be required to assist students with toileting needs).
• Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination and the ability to distinguish color.
• Ability to read printed matter with or without visual aids.
• Ability to visually supervise students in small and large group settings as well as vocational or community settings.
• Ability 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

• Provide needed supports to students during instructional periods as well as non-instructional activities under the direction of school administration, general education teacher, special education teacher, and related service providers.
• 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