Paraprofessional(s) II – 12 Month (South Coast Educational Collaborative - LIFE Academy)

South Coast Educational Collaborative; Swansea (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

South Coast Educational Collaborative LIFE Academy in Swansea, MA is seeking a Paraprofessional II for a 12-month, full-time role. You will work with adult students 18-22, supporting individualized programming and active learning across LIFE Academy Campus, YMCA, and community-based settings.

Responsibilities include one-on-one assistance, data collection, and collaboration with teachers to implement age-appropriate instructional activities and transition-related experiences in employment,

Qualifications

• Associates degree or ParaPro eligibility.
• Ability to lift up to 39 pounds.
• Ability to meet demands of multi-handicapped students.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• CPR/First Aid within 30 days of hire and kept current.
• CPI certification within 30 days of hire and kept current.
• 7-D License and kept current.
• Experience with diverse adult student populations and transition needs.
• Complete and pass Ethics course and exam.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in 1:1 and small-group activities in LIFE Academy and community settings.
• Support students in transition domains (employment, education, daily living skills).
• Collect and monitor progress data to adjust goals.
• Participate in daily duties across LIFE Academy, YMCA, and community settings.

Skills

Collaboration and communication

Deeper Learning

CPS concepts

Agility

Empathy and composure

Self-Determination

Education

Associates Degree or ParaPro competency

Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

ParaPro Exam

Job description

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

• Work as part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team in a world class transition program designed to meet the unique needs of adult students 18-22 years of age
• Recognize the need for and provide assistance to students in an appropriately active classroom setting.
• Participation in a mentor program that focuses on PBIS, SCERTS, & Deeper Learning approaches
• Demonstrated understanding of collaborative problem-solving (CPS) or willingness to learn and adapt its principles and techniques with students, staff and families.
• Maintain data collection employing research-based best practice strategies to demonstrate student progress and adjust student goals.
• Participate in person centered team meetings to develop individualized programming for adult students
• Work as a productive member of the instructional team to maximize student outcomes and independence
• Recognize the need for and aid students in a variety of active learning environments
• Maintain data collection employing research-based best practice strategies to demonstrate student progress and adjust student goals
• Responsible for working with students in the community in a variety of transition related domains (employment, post-secondary education, recreation, daily living skills, etc.) and during these activities collect ongoing transitional data.
• Implement age appropriate, individualized instructional activities under the supervision of the assigned teaching team.
• Participation in daily duties, as assigned by teacher(s) and/or facilitator(s), between all learning environments: LIFE Academy Campus YMCA, Community-based settings, and Adult programs
• Other student-related assigned responsibilities as needed, including 1:1 assistance, repositioning, hygiene needs and various opportunities in community-based settings

Paraprofessional(s) II – 12 Month (South Coast Educational Collaborative - LIFE Academy)

South Coast Educational Collaborative LIFE Academy - Swansea, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5983326

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Nov 05, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Position Type: Full-time

Salary: $28,449 to $46,365 Per Year

Job Categories:

• Special Education > Multiple Disabilities
• Special Education > Special Education Assistant

Welcome to LIFE Academy

The LIFE (Learning In Functional Environments) Academy is an educational program specially designed to meet the needs of adult students with moderate to significant disabilities ages 18-22. This largely community-based program aims to prepare students with moderate to severe disabilities to be fulfilled, happy and productive citizens in their local communities. The program hours are 7:45-2:15 pm with a 220 day schedule. Students receive the following related services as part of their weekly programming: speech and language, counseling, occupational and physical therapy, applied behavioral analysis and health and wellness through a multidisciplinary approach. Students attending this program have satisfied their high school requirements and met state testing requirements.The majority of students attending the LIFE Academy will age out of special education with a Certificate of Attainment having participated in the MCAS-Alternate portfolio assessment process. The cornerstone of programming at the LIFE Academy is focused on Self-Determination, Self-Regulation and Transition related skills. Students participate in choice making as they learn to identify their needs, interests and skills in the arenas of Independent Living, Health and Wellness, Recreation and Leisure, and Vocational skills.The LIFE Academy campus in Swansea includes the Stoico-First Fed YMCA where students have memberships and can participate in a variety of Health, Wellness, Recreation and Vocational activities. In addition, students spend the majority of their time in community based settings where they practice life skills and explore a wide variety of adult experiences. Families are an integral part of the learning team and we work with them to help them navigate the world of adult services, preparing them and their children to transition to adult agencies and programs.

Job Requirements

• REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Associates Degree, or credit equivalent from an accredited College or University; or demonstrate competency on ParaPro Exam
• Able to physically lift up to 39 pounds independently
• Able to respond to the requirements of a physically demanding position which includes meeting the needs of multi-handicapped students
• Able to demonstrate strong collaboration and communication skills
• Commitment to Deeper Learning and Collaborative Problem Solving as demonstrated by personal and professional development
• Demonstrated ability to be agile in dealing with agility.
• Able to demonstrate compassion, empathy and composure in difficult situations
• Certification in CPR/First Aid within 30 days of hire and commitment to keep certification current
• Certification in CPI within 30 days of hire and commitment to keep certification current
• 7-D License and commitment to keep license current
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to the needs of a diverse adult student population with a variety of needs
• Complete and pass Ethics course and exam
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited College or University
• Knowledge of Transition laws, policies and best practices.
• Knowledge and experience related to the importance the role Self-Determination and Self-Regulation has in assisting adult students to reach maximum independence and success
• Experience working in community-based settings with students
• Experience in transitional instruction and experience in implementing the Massachusetts Work Based Learning plan
• At least 3 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• Bachelor degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Lisa Fournier
• 2201 GAR Highway
• Swansea, Massachusetts 02777
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]