Long Term Substitute Specialized Support Paraprofessional (November 2026-February 2027)

Arlington Public Schools (MA); Arlington (MA); On-site; USD 3,582,000 - 4,408,000; Full time

Job summary

Arlington Public Schools seeks a Specialized Support Paraprofessional to assist general and special education students in accessing the curriculum. The SSP will collaborate with the principal, classroom teachers, and families to support social-emotional and behavioral needs.

Responsibilities include implementing modifications, traveling with students, and coordinating with support staff. This is a long-term substitute position with a strong emphasis on collaboration and student safety.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Experience working with children.
• Ability to coordinate with a team including Principal, Classroom Teacher, Special Educators, other building staff, related service personnel, clinicians and parents.
• Must have experience with and demonstrated ability to support students with social-emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred specialized training, such as Safety Care or Equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Establishes emotionally supportive rapport with students.
• Travels to general education classes with students as needed.
• Accurately implements content, instructional and performance modifications as designed by the classroom teacher, special education liaison, and BCBA.
• Ensures information is shared between other support personnel when this individual is on scheduled breaks.
• Participates in classroom planning meetings or other organizational meetings, as well as professional development as determined by principal and or special education department.
• Greets students upon arrival to school, assists with student dismissal and debriefs with teacher at the end of the day.
• Implements behavior management plans as written.
• Assists with crisis management plans, including physical management per behavior management protocols when required.

Skills

Experience working with children

Team collaboration

Strong written and verbalcommunication

Social-emotional and behavioralSupport

Safety Care or equivalent training

Education

Associates Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Job Description

The Arlington Public Schools are committed to creating an inclusive and safe learning and working environment that reflects a diversity of perspectives, values, and experiences. We welcome staff who are aware of the role that bias and prejudice play in society, are creative and willing to try new approaches, and are reflective about their daily practice. We are looking for candidates who welcome a challenge, are eager to collaborate and contribute to the success of students, are ready to engage in two-way partnership with families, and who will contribute their diverse talents to the organization as a whole.

POSITION: SPECIALIZED SUPPORT PARAPROFESSIONAL

The Special Support Paraprofessional (SSP) will support educators by working with students in general education and special education settings to enable them to access the curriculum.

• Associates Degree Required; Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
• Experience working with children
• Ability to coordinate with and work as a member of a team that includes Principal, Classroom Teacher, Special Educators, other building staff, related service personnel, clinicians and parents
• Must have experience with and demonstrated ability to support students with social-emotional and behavioral challenges
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Preferred specialized training, such as Safety Care or Equivalent

ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Arlington, MA 02476

Job Description

The Arlington Public Schools are committed to creating an inclusive and safe learning and working environment that reflects a diversity of perspectives, values, and experiences. We welcome staff who are aware of the role that bias and prejudice play in society, are creative and willing to try new approaches, and are reflective about their daily practice. We are looking for candidates who welcome a challenge, are eager to collaborate and contribute to the success of students, are ready to engage in two-way partnership with families, and who will contribute their diverse talents to the organization as a whole.

POSITION: SPECIALIZED SUPPORT PARAPROFESSIONAL

JOB GOAL: The Special Support Paraprofessional (SSP) will support educators by working with students in general education and special education settings to enable them to access the curriculum.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree Required; Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
• Experience working with children
• Ability to coordinate with and work as a member of a team that includes Principal, Classroom Teacher, Special Educators, other building staff, related service personnel, clinicians and parents
• Must have experience with and demonstrated ability to support students with social-emotional and behavioral challenges
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Preferred specialized training, such as Safety Care or Equivalent

Performance Responsibilities

• Establishes emotionally supportive rapport with students
• Travels to general education classes with students as needed
• Accurately implements content, instructional and performance modifications as designed by the classroom teacher, special education liaison, and BCBA
• Ensures information is shared between other support personnel when this individual is on scheduled breaks.
• Participates in classroom planning meetings or other organizational meetings, as well as professional development as determined by principal and or special education department
• Greets students upon arrival to school, assists with student dismissal and debriefs with teacher at the end of the day
• Implements behavior management plans as written
• Assists with crisis management plans, including physical management per behavior management protocols when required.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Long Term Substitute position. November 20, 2026 until a date to be determined in February 2027

REPORTS TO: Special Education Coordinator and Building Administrators

$27.11 per hour. $189.77 per day, for a 7 hour workday.