Instructional Assistant (SY25-26) Position Available In Middlesex, Massachusetts

Instructional Assistant (SY25-26)
Watertown Public Schools
Watertown High School – Watertown, Massachusetts This job is also posted in Watertown Public Schools (MA)
Job Details

Job ID:

5248575

Application Deadline:

Jun 30, 2025 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Posted:

Jun 20, 2025

Starting Date:

Aug 25, 2025
Job Description

Position:

Instructional Assistant

Position Type:

Full-time

Department:

Secondary

Location:

Watertown High 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.

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.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in this environment may be quiet to loud depending on the activity and the particular time of the day and location. The activity level in a classroom, school and community-based settings is often busy. The employee interacts with other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.
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.

Position Type:

Full-Time