Instructional Assistant (Special Education)

Norfolk Public Schools; Norfolk (MA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Norfolk Public Schools is seeking a Special Education Instructional Assistant at H. Olive Day Elementary in Norfolk, MA.

The role supports core and specialized instruction under the supervision of educators, focusing on academic and social-emotional interventions for students with special needs. The position is a 10-month school year (183 days), with responsibilities including materials prep, small-group instruction, behavior support, and collaboration with the IEP team.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or ParaPro Certificate required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; college-level training in education, special education, child development, or psychology is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist special education students in accessing general education curriculum and specialized instructional settings.
• Prepare materials for adapted or modified lessons, activities, and assessments per each student’s IEP or 504 Plan under the educator’s direction.
• Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce skills under educator supervision.
• Help create and maintain an orderly, predictable instructional environment.
• Facilitate clear, professional communication between special educators, specialists, and general education teachers.
• Support and implement behavioral interventions and positive behavior management strategies.
• Follow crisis management protocols and document data as required.

Education

Associate’s Degree or ParaPro Certificate

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Instructional Assistant (Special Education)

Norfolk Public Schools H. Olive Day Elementary School - Norfolk, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Starting Date: Immediate

Job Description

Norfolk Elementary Schools Norfolk, Massachusetts Title: Special Education Instructional Assistant Position: The Special Education Instructional Assistant is employed to support and assist in the delivery of the core curriculum and specialized programming. Utilizing a specialized knowledge or skill base, the assistant works under the direct supervision of educators and specialists to support whole-class instruction, and assist with academic instruction, targeted social, emotional, and behavioral health interventions for individual or small groups of identified students with special needs.

Qualifications

Associate’s Degree or ParaPro Certificate required. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. College-level training in education, special education, child development, or psychology is highly desirable.

Reports To: Building Principal, Director of Student Support Services

Work Year: 10-month school year position (183 Days)

Essential Job Functions

Academic and Special Education Program Support:

• Assist special education students in accessing both the general education curriculum and specialized instructional settings.
• Assist teachers by preparing materials for adapted or modified lessons, classroom activities, and assessments in strict accordance with each student's current Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan under direction of educator.
• Work with individual students or small groups on prescribed educational programs to reinforce skills under the direct supervision of the educator.
• Assist the teacher in creating and maintaining an instructional environment that is organized, predictable, and conducive to learning.
• Facilitate clear, professional communication and collaboration between special educators, specialists, and general education classroom teachers.

Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Health Support:

• Support and implement the behavioral philosophy and positive behavioral intervention frameworks of the building as defined by educator.
• Encourage appropriate student behaviors by assisting with motivation, engagement, and positive behavior management strategies.
• Follow student-specific Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), crisis management protocols, and prescribed consequences for student behavior with high fidelity.
• Support students in developing self-regulation, coping mechanisms, and social competencies during structured and unstructured times.
• Adhere strictly to the Norfolk Public Schools Physical Restraint Policy and the Norfolk Public Schools Crisis Intervention Policy.
• Accurately document behavioral, emotional, and academic data as specified and required by the student's team or individual plan.

Instructional and Non-Instructional Supervision:

• Support students across all school environments to ensure safety and inclusion, including but not limited to arrival and dismissal duties, lunchroom supervision, recess duties, field trips, classroom transitions, and general work habits.
• Attend specialist classes (such as Art, Music, Physical Education, and Media) with students as determined by the IEP Team or specialist teacher to support participation and behavioral regulation.
• Assist in maintaining clean, safe, and organized classroom areas appropriate for learning.

Student-Specific Physical and Personal Care Guidelines:

• Respond to the specific physical needs of students, including proper positioning, lifting, and the reinforcement of gross/fine motor self-help skills.
• Assist individual students with personal care routines, including toileting, hygiene, and feeding or the explicit teaching of utensil use, while preserving student dignity, as needed.
• Utilize school-to-home communication logs strictly according to the format and boundaries agreed upon with the student's team liaison.

Professionalism and Responsibility:

• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, maintain an appropriate professional demeanor, and serve as a positive role model within the school setting.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality regarding student records, family information, and staff consultations at all times.
• Work collaboratively with all building staff and contribute positively to the overall school climate.
• Demonstrate strong operational reliability, responsibility, and punctual attendance for work hours and all assigned duties (e.g., bus duty, lunch, or recess duty).
• Complete all required district safety training, medical training, and crisis intervention programs.
• Select appropriate, professional channels for resolving operational or student concerns by addressing them directly with the classroom teacher, child’s liaison, or building administration.
• Participate actively in district-provided professional development programs.

Other Duties:

• Perform other related duties within the scope of the position as assigned by the Building Principal or Director of Student Support Services.

Salary Range

Step 2: $21.41/hour (with Associate’s Degree or ParaPro Certificate)

Step 2: $27.06/hour (with Bachelor’s Degree +15 credits or higher)

Rates established per the Union Agreement between the Norfolk School Committee and the Paraprofessional Unit.

Job Details

Job ID: 5982832

Application Deadline: Nov 11, 2026 11:59 PM (UTC)

Posted: Nov 04, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Position Type: Full-time

Salary: $21 to $27 Per Hour

Job Requirements

• At least 3 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• Associate degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Contact Information

• Kara Muirhead , Director of Student Services
• 70 Boardman Street
• Norfolk, Massachusetts 02056
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]