Para Educator - Autism High Needs (SY26-27)

Holyoke Public Schools; Holyoke (MA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Holyoke Public Schools is seeking an ABA Paraeducator to support students with disabilities in the ABL Program. You will provide direct 1:1 and small-group instruction under the classroom teacher and collaborate with therapists, behavior specialists, and school staff to support each student's IEP.

This role emphasizes data collection, ABA-based strategies, daily living skills, communication practice, and maintaining a safe, structured environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an Associate's Degree or higher, or equivalent college coursework (48 credits).
• Successful completion of an approved assessment demonstrating ability to assist instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics (e.g., WorkKeys or ParaPro).
• Experience working with students with disabilities, especially those with behavioral, communication, or adaptive needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct 1:1 and small-group support to students throughout the day.
• Implement ABA strategies and instructional programs as directed by teachers and specialists.
• Collect and maintain accurate data on student goals and progress.
• Collaborate with teachers and related staff to support IEP implementation.
• Maintain a safe, organized learning environment and follow district procedures.
• Assist with personal-care tasks and support daily living skills as needed.

Skills

Experience with disabilities

ABA-based instruction

Bilingual (Spanish encouraged)

Collaborative team player

Education

Associate's Degree or higher

Two years / 48 credits of college

WorkKeys / ParaPro assessment

Job description

Job Description:

The ABL Program Paraeducator provides direct instructional, behavioral, communication, adaptive, and personal-care support to students within the ABL Program. The paraeducator works under the direction of the classroom teacher and in collaboration with related service providers, special education staff, behavior specialists, and school administration to support implementation of each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and individualized programming.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide direct 1:1 and small-group support to students throughout the school day, as assigned.

• Implement Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies, instructional programs, behavior-support plans, and other interventions as trained and directed by the classroom teacher and appropriate specialists.

• Collect accurate, objective, and timely data on student academic, behavioral, communication, adaptive, and functional goals.

• Maintain daily data sheets, behavioral logs, and other required documentation and provide information to the teacher and student-support team.

• Reinforce skills and concepts initially taught by the classroom teacher, therapists, specialists, and other instructional staff.

• Support implementation of discrete-trial instruction, natural-environment teaching, reinforcement systems, prompting and prompt-fading strategies, visual supports, communication systems, and other evidence-based practices as appropriate to individual student needs.

• Support students in developing independence with communication, social interaction, classroom routines, transitions, self-regulation, academics, and activities of daily living.

• Implement behavior-support and de-escalation strategies consistently and in accordance with student plans, staff training, district procedures, and applicable regulations.

• Respond appropriately to student behavior while maintaining student dignity, safety, and confidentiality.

• Assist students with mobility, feeding, toileting, diapering, hygiene, dressing, and other personal-care needs when required by the student's program.

• Support students during breakfast, lunch, snack, arrival, dismissal, transitions, recess, specials, assemblies, emergency drills, community-based activities, and field trips.

• Meet and assist students during bus arrival and dismissal as assigned.

• Operate, maintain, and assist students in using instructional materials, communication devices, adaptive equipment, sensory materials, and other classroom equipment.

• Prepare instructional and behavioral materials as directed by the classroom teacher or specialists.

• Maintain a safe, organized, structured, and supportive learning environment.

• Follow established classroom routines, student schedules, visual supports, reinforcement systems, and behavior plans with consistency and fidelity.

• Collaborate professionally with teachers, paraeducators, related service providers, behavior staff, administrators, and other members of the student's educational team.

• Participate in required training related to ABA, behavior support, safety, de-escalation, communication systems, personal care, and other program-specific practices.

• Maintain confidentiality regarding students and families in accordance with district, state, and federal requirements.

• Demonstrate flexibility in responding to changing student needs, staffing assignments, classroom routines, and program needs.

• Support students across classroom and school environments as determined by student programming and administrative assignment.

• Perform other duties consistent with the role as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent, or designee.

Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree or higher; or

• Completion of at least two years, or 48 credit hours, of study at an institution of higher education; or

• Successful completion of an approved assessment demonstrating the knowledge and ability to assist in instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics, such as WorkKeys or the ParaPro Assessment.

• Experience working with students with disabilities, particularly students with significant behavioral, communication, developmental, or adaptive needs, strongly preferred.

• Experience implementing ABA-based instruction or behavior-support strategies preferred.

• Experience collecting and documenting student performance and behavioral data preferred.

• Experience supporting students with communication systems, adaptive skills, personal care, or activities of daily living preferred.

• Ability and willingness to participate in required behavioral, safety, and program-specific training.

• Ability to implement instructional and behavioral plans consistently and follow direction from teachers, specialists, and administrators.

• Ability to remain calm, professional, and responsive during challenging or escalated student behavior.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate professional judgment.

• Experience working in an urban school setting and with diverse student populations preferred.

• Bilingual applicants, particularly Spanish-speaking applicants, are strongly encouraged to apply.