Paraprofessional Specialized Program Assistant

Westerly High School; Westerly (RI); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Westerly Public School District is seeking a Paraprofessional Specialized Program Assistant to support students with special needs under the supervision of a teacher.

The role involves instructional support, behavior plan implementation, data collection, and collaboration with the school nurse and specialists. Applicants should have strong patience, reliability, and the ability to work with diverse learners in a district setting.

Qualifications

• Ability to work with children who have special needs in a sensitive, respectful manner.
• Ability to learn duties quickly and follow school procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to follow medical care plans with school nurse supervision.
• Proficient with Microsoft and Google Suites.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher with instruction and adaptations in curriculum.
• Maintain confidentiality of students and staff.
• Supervise and support students during play, lunch, and arrival/dismissal.
• Prepare materials and assist with behavior plans as required.
• Record and report student data and progress.

Skills

Special needs support

Learning duties adaptability

Verbal and written communication

Medical care plan compliance

Computer skills (Microsoft/Google)

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree preferred

ParaPro / Teacher Assistant training requirement

Tools

First Aid and Safety Care Certification

Chauffeur’s license preferred

Job description

Starting Date: Sep 15, 2026

Job Description

Job Title: Paraprofessional Specialized Program Assistant

Location: District (AnticipatedWesterly High School)

Effective Date:10/05/2026

Pay Range: $ $ 23.09 - $24.09

Class Title: FTE: 1.0

Requisition # 351

Union:

Supervision Received: Reports to school principal

Supervision Exercised: None

Job Summary: This paraprofessional position, under the supervision of the teacher, is responsible for the instruction, accommodations and personal care of students within a specialized program. The paraprofessional is responsible for the development of an effective personal relationship with children having special needs, which requires an unusual amount of patience, empathy and flexibility on the part of the paraprofessional. The position requires assisting a teacher in various instructional duties, performing clerical duties according to established procedures which can be learned on the job, following individual or program based behavior plans and following a medical plan for students under the guidance of the school nurse.

Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Maintains and adheres to strict confidentiality requirements regarding students, parents and other staff.
• Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of material or skills initially introduced by the teacher.
• Physically able to restrain a student if necessary, using district safety care techniques and standards.
• Assists the teacher in modification and implementation of curriculum, instruction and assessment.
• Uses age and developmentally appropriate instructional procedures and reinforcement techniques.
• Assists children with academic and/or functional skills of previously introduced concepts following teacher instruction and direction.
• Instructs small groups of students in specific subject areas with teacher direction.
• Follow the teacher or other appropriate professional’s directions.
• Monitors and supervises students and/or continues lessons during short-term teacher absences.
• Prepares and gathers materials and supplies.
• Exhibits self-control, good judgment, patience and conducts self in a professional manner at all times in person and in writing .
• Under direction of the building principal, supervises students during play periods, lunch periods, detention and/or during student arrival and dismissal both indoors and out of doors.
• Maintains order by reinforcing school rules in all settings including recess, lunch and bus.
• Provides positive reinforcers as dictated by the Behavioral Intervention Plan.
• Participates in Professional Development and completes all training required by the school district.
• Receives additional training if deemed necessary for the position, including but not limited to, positions involving students with significant cognitive delay, physical limitations, autism spectrum disorders, social/emotional disorders or behavioral disorders.
• Assists the teacher in providing instruction to individuals with behavioral challenges.
• Utilizes approved de‑escalation strategies and supervises students in a designated de‑escalation area with other adults in safe proximity.
• Supports students with re‑entry following de‑escalation time.
• Under the direction of appropriate professionals, follows through with IEP goals and supplementary services such as, but not limited to, OT, PT, and Speech/Language.
• As instructed by the teacher, records and reports data on student behavior and performance.
• May operate and assist students with the use of augmentative communication systems.
• Preschool level paraprofessionals participate in developmentally appropriate toileting and feeding practices for students under the teacher’s direction.
• Follow through with activities of daily living skills, including feeding, lifting, transferring, toileting and changing.
• Additional duties as required to support students in their daily functioning within the learning environment.

Required Qualifications for Appointment:

Knowledge, skills and capabilities: All skills, certifications and requirements must be maintained and, as necessary, updated throughout the tenure in this position.

• Ability to work with children who have special needs in a sensitive, respectful and effective manner.
• Ability to learn assigned duties readily and to adhere to prescribed classroom procedures.
• Ability to respond simultaneously to a variety of needs for students and staff while maintaining a high degree of sensitivity to individual needs.
• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to follow through with a medical care plan under the supervision of a school‐nurse teacher.
• Demonstrates proficiency in essential computer applications as required, including data collection techniques, Microsoft and Google Suites.
• Ability to learn and assist student(s) with the use of a variety of augmentative/communication devices and activities.
• Ability to learn computer applications in order to assist students with functional as well as academic needs.
• Assist in Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) implementation and training.
• Attends to students’ personal care needs.

Experience:

Prefer three to six months of experience in a school environment providing support to students

Education:

• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree preferred.
• Must demonstrate completion of either 60 academic credits or achievement of passing score on the ParaPro qualifications test with the completion of Teacher Assistant Training program as required by RIGL 16-11-2-2.

Certification:

• Chauffeur’s license or ability to attain Chauffeur’s license preferred.
• Must maintain First Aid and Safety Care Certification.
• Must meet the current RI Department of Education training & certificate requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• Physically capable of: walking, jumping, running, balancing, climbing, crawling, standing , turning stooping, crouching, kneeling, sitting, reaching, lifting, carrying, throwing, pushing, handling, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, color vision, depth perception pulling, grasping and lifting, transferring and repositioning up to at least 50 pounds with assistance.

Length of Work Year: This position is limited to the number of student in‑school days each year plus three professional development days.

Please Note: We encourage internal movements that increase innovation, and encourage employees to stay and grow within our District. Please note that all assignments are subject to change based on the needs of the District. Additionally, school year positions, both certified and non‑certified, posted during the school year are temporary unless otherwise indicated to allow for internal movement at the close of the respective school year.

Westerly Public School District is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Position Type: Full‑Time

Salary: $23.09 to $23.09 Per Hour

Job Categories: Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Human Resources
• 23 Highland Avenue
• Westerly, Rhode Island 02891
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

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