Special Education Support Staff

WALKER INC•Needham, MA

5d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs is hiring a Special Education Support Staff member for its Needham, Massachusetts location. The role works as part of a three-person classroom team serving up to nine children with social, emotional, learning, and behavioral disabilities. Staff provide behavior management and social-emotional support, assist teachers with academic activities, and collaborate with specialists to maintain a structured, calm learning environment. The position also supports residential students during wakeups, school vacations, holidays, and other non-school days. The successful candidate will provide child-centered, family-focused, culturally competent, strengths-based care. They will support students’ emotional, behavioral, and educational development, follow individual treatment and education plans, supervise youth, respond to crises using Walker-trained techniques, and help with classroom and residential routines. The role includes leading the assigned classroom during summer sessions, supporting field trips and activities, transporting students as needed, documenting progress and incidents, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and staff across programs. This is a full-time, day-shift position scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; additional flexibility may be required based on operational and business needs. The position is based in Needham, Massachusetts, and pays $21.25–$22.25 per hour. A high school diploma or GED is required. An associate degree or higher and prior experience with youth in residential or special education settings are preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Successfully pass and apply Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training.
Successfully complete First Aid/CPR training.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to remain calm and make safe decisions in high-pressure situations.
Ability to work effectively in a stressful, fast-paced environment.
Ability to learn, retain, and apply principles taught in training and supervision.
Physical stamina to participate in activities with children.
Ability to stand, walk, and run for extended periods and perform frequent bending, stooping, stretching, lifting, sitting, stair climbing, typing, and looking at a computer screen.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and computer experience.
Ability to meet deadlines and follow through with multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively as part of a team, including during high-stress situations.
Ability to transport clients in company vehicles.
Successfully complete all background check suitability requirements.
Reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or higher.
Prior experience working with youth in a residential or special education setting.
Valid Massachusetts driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Support the emotional, behavioral, and educational development of youth as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Maintain a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning and manage student behavior individually and in groups.
Implement protocols in youth treatment plans, IEPs, and individual support plans.
Supervise youth at all times and plan and implement engaging social and recreational activities as needed.
Use crisis intervention techniques consistent with Walker’s training when responding to youths’ challenges.
Work in a residential house during school vacation periods and holidays, providing caretaking and developmentally appropriate group activities throughout the shift.
Provide transportation to students for appointments as needed.
Work on the residential wake-up team, ensuring morning routines, including medications and breakfast, are completed and students arrive at school on time.
Lead the assigned classroom during the summer session, ensure students participate in activities, and lead students on field trips.
Participate actively in supervision and remain receptive to feedback and professional development.
Assist the lead teacher with data collection and progress notes; document incidents and complete accurate oral and written reports on time.
Attend multidisciplinary and treatment meetings as needed to discuss youths’ progress.
Collaborate with staff and supervisors across shifts and campus programs to support smooth operations and consistent treatment.
Complete required training and professional development opportunities.
Perform duties in alignment with the agency’s mission and core values, including trauma-informed, relationship-based, family-involved, developmentally focused, competence-centered, and ecologically oriented services.
Perform additional duties as assigned.