Paraprofessional - Specialized Program Assistant

Westerly Middle School; Westerly (RI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Westerly Middle School is seeking a Paraprofessional Specialized Program Assistant to support students with special needs under teacher supervision. The role emphasizes patience, empathy, and strong communication to implement instructional plans and behavior supports.

You will assist with instructional activities, manage materials, and help maintain a safe, respectful learning environment aligned with IEP goals and school procedures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s or Associate degree preferred.
• Must show 60 credits or ParaPro test completion as required by RI.

Responsibilities

• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding students, parents and staff.
• Support individual students or small groups to reinforce learning.
• Assist with curriculum modification and instruction as directed.
• Prepare materials and supervise classroom activities.
• Supervise students during play, lunch and transitions.
• Follow Behavior Intervention Plans and de-escalation strategies as needed.
• Record data on student behavior and performance for review.
• Complete required training and participate in professional development.
• Assist with daily living and personal care tasks as directed.

Skills

Special needs support

Patience & empathy

Communication skills

Medical care plan

Data collection

MS Office

Google Workspace

De-escalation

BIP knowledge

Personal care

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s/Associate degree preferred

60 credits or ParaPro test per RI

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Paraprofessional Specialized Program Assistant

Location: District (AnticipatedWesterly Middle School)

Effective Date: 11/16/2026

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Pay Range: $ $ 23.09 - $24.09

Class Title: FTE: 1.0

Union: Local 808

Supervision Received: Reports to school principal or designee but may receive Special Education direction and training from Director of Pupil Personnel or designee and may receive instruction from classroom teacher.

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 and Salary

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $23.09 to $24.09 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]