Paraprofessionals/Teacher Assistants SY 26-27

Young World Physical Education

Portsmouth (RI)

On-site

USD 32,000 - 42,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Portsmouth School Department is hiring paraprofessionals/teacher assistants for the 2026-27 SY at Portsmouth High School and Portsmouth Middle School. Positions require a high school diploma or GED and a RI TA course or equivalent certification.

Responsibilities include assisting teachers, supporting students with diverse needs, and participating in Safety Care training. Candidates must be able to lift and assist with toileting as needed and must pass a ParaPro or related certification

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED required.
Proof of registration in a RIDE-approved Teacher Assistant course qualifies for immediate employment with paid leave and medical benefits while working toward certification.
Maintain confidentiality at all times and adhere to privacy standards.
Participation in Safety Care training and being part of a Safety Care team are essential.
Ability to work with all children in a sensitive, effective manner.
Follow oral and written instructions accurately and promptly.
Be prepared to engage in ongoing job-specific training and development.

Responsibilities

Assist teachers with instructional activities in small group and individual settings.
Provide support to students and teachers to maintain a safe learning environment.
Collect data and track student progress as directed.
Support students with social-emotional learning and behavior plans as developed by the team.
Follow safety protocols during drills, field trips, and other activities.
Assist with supervising students during transitions and meal or restroom breaks.
Participate in professional development and collaborate with classroom staff.

Skills

Confidentiality

Safety Care

Student support

Reading comprehension

Quick learning

Physical lifting

Toileting support

Additional training

Follow instructions

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Paraprofessional certificate / TA course registration

Job description

Paraprofessionals/Teacher Assistants SY 26-27

Portsmouth School Department Portsmouth School Department - Portsmouth, Rhode Island Open in Google Maps

Paraprofessionals/Teacher Assistants SY 26-27

Portsmouth School Department Portsmouth School Department - Portsmouth, Rhode Island Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Rhode Island State DOE Consortium Job Board

Job Details

Job ID: 5871399
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Aug 05, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Aug 26, 2026

Job Description

Opening - Paraprofessional/Teacher Assistant
Reports To: Classroom Teacher/Building Principal
Locations: Anticipated openings at Portsmouth High School (hours: 7:00 - 2:00) and Portsmouth Middle School (hours: 7:45 - 2:45)

QUALIFICATIONS: NEW! PROOF OF REGISTRATION IN A RIDE APPROVED TA COURSE WILL QUALIFY YOU FOR IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT ON STEP WITH PAID LEAVE AND MEDICAL BENEFITS WHILE WORKING TO OBTAIN TEACHER ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION.

YOU MAY ALSO REGISTER FOR THE COURSE WITH ISLR
For more information visit ISLR at https://www.riilsr.org/teaching-certificate-programs

1. Minimum, High School Diploma or GED
2. Must maintain strictest standard of confidentiality.
3. Valid Paraprofessional certificate with instructional qualifications as required by the RI Department of Education OR proof of registration in an approved RIDE Teacher Assistant Training Course
4. Ability to participate in Safety Care training and be part of a Safety Care team
5. Ability to work with all children in a sensitive and effective manner
6. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
7. Ability to learn assigned duties readily and to adhere to prescribed classroom procedures
8. Ability to assist with lifting and/or assist with toileting
9. Ability to follow a toileting plan when one of the primary student support personnel for a student who requires lifting or toileting is absent
10. Additional training may be required if deemed necessary for the position

POSITION SUMMARY:

The position of paraprofessional assists teachers with instructional duties and helps to provide a safe learning environment for all students. Paraprofessionals work in a classroom setting with a small group of students or individual students. This position requires a desire and ability to work with students across various domains which include assisting students to learn and apply academic skills, self-help skills, communication skills, mobility skills, socialization skills, self-regulatory skills, and positive behavioral interaction skills. This position may require the individual to work closely and collegially with a team of professionals and support professionals in a flexible and cooperative manner, putting the needs of the students first. This work involves the development of effective relationships with both the students and other adults working within the classroom. This may require an unusual amount of patience, consistency, flexibility, tolerance and empathy on the part of the employee. This work may require the performance of various instructional and therapeutic duties that may be unique to the student and/or the classroom. These duties, although specialized, can be learned on the job whereby job embedded professional development may be provided via an outside consultant as determined by the administration.

PLEASE NOTE: The positions available involve working with students who have social emotional learning needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Adheres to the policies of the Portsmouth School Department
2. Promotes the attainment of the District's mission, vision, and strategic plan
3. Assists in small group and individual instructional activities in the classroom
4. Follows teacher direction with regard to assisting/supporting other students within the classroom/building
5. Assists with various data collection procedures
6. Provides transitional support to students
7. Demonstrates knowledge of specific disabilities that are part of the IDEA
8. Assists in incorporating differential reinforcement in appropriate alternative responses into behavior program/plan.
9. Utilizes prompts and redirection strategies (i.e.: following routines, utilization of picture schedules and maintaining overall consistency in regard to responses/reactions to students).
10 Attends to personal needs of children (dressing, washing, feeding, changing diapers)
11. Demonstrates proficiency in essential computer and technology applications as required
12. Prioritizes the needs and requests of students and teachers within the school setting and responds in a professional and efficient manner.
13. Supports student social emotional learning, able to implement behavior intervention plans developed by the team, and track data necessary for the implementation
14. Performs responsibilities unique to teacher assistants who work with students who have developmental, cognitive, learning, physical and/or social-emotional disabilities.
15. Assists with the supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, field trips, and other activities, as needed.
16. Exhibits interpersonal skills of a collegial partner with other professionals in order to help create and maintain a positive learning environment.
17. Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements:

1. Communicate and detect information at levels to be able to make presentations and exchange information in person and on the telephone
2. Express oneself so others will be able to clearly understand
3. Constantly operate a computer keyboard and manipulate paper
4. Detect, determine, perceive and identify documentation and reports, and to observe students
5. Able to meet multiple demands from several people and meet deadlines with severe time constraints
6. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, in both indoor and outdoor environments, and possible move and traverse in order to maintain a safe learning environment
7. Stamina to work irregular or extended hours to include a full day and then attending meetings or supervising evening events
8. Work at a desk, conference table, small student classroom table, or in meetings in various configurations
9. Position self to be able to retrieve items overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally
10.Move and transport moderately heavy objects

Additional Requirements: High School Diploma or general equivalency diploma

PROOF OF REGISTRATION IN A RIDE APPROVED TA COURSE WILL QUALIFY YOU FOR IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT ON STEP WITH PAID LEAVE AND MEDICAL BENEFITS WHILE WORKING ON THE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW.

Completion of a Teacher Assistant Pre-Employment Training Program approved by the RI Department of Education (RIDE). Exceptions to this particular qualification are those with a TA certification from another state or those with Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree AND who have completed coursework or other training consistent with the teacher assistant program standards. Candidates will be expected to attend Safety Care training.

Meet one of the following requirements:
Successfully pass the ParaPro Assessment OR
Complete at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher education OR
Obtain an Associate’s Degree or higher
National Criminal Records Check showing no disqualifying information

THIS POSITION MUST BE REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN (RBT) CERTIFIED WITHIN 1 YEAR OF EMPLOYMENT ` PSD WILL REIMBURSE EMPLOYEES FOR RBT COURSE (waived for the 2026/2027 school year) Position Type: Full-time

Job Categories: Instructional Support > Paraprofessional / IA

Welcome to Portsmouth School Department

Our mission is to create a comprehensive teaching and learning environment which provides opportunities to students to become, to their fullest potential, responsible citizens, self-directed individuals, and life-long learners.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Portsmouth School Department provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Any person who believes they may need reasonable accommodations should contact the Director of Human Resources.

Information pertaining to Title IX and how to file a report, including the Title IX Coordinator contact information and the PSD Title IX Policy, can be found on our website .

About Portsmouth School Department

The Portsmouth School Department (PSD) comprises four (4) schools that serve approximately 2200 students and an administration building. Portsmouth High School is a comprehensive 9-12 high school, Portsmouth Middle School 5-8, Hathaway Elementary School K-4 and Melville Elementary School PreK-4. PSD employs approximately 340 staff members including teachers, administrators, counselors, nurses, and support staff including clerks, maintenance, custodians and paraprofessionals.

About the Town of Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a scenic town in Newport County, Rhode Island and is the second-oldest municipality in Rhode Island, after Providence. Portsmouth boasts a total area of 59.3 square miles, of which 23.2 square miles is land, including 4,000 acres of farmland and 36.1 square miles is water and 56 miles of coastline. Most of its land area lies on Aquidneck Island, which it shares with Middletown and Newport. In addition, Portsmouth encompasses some smaller islands, including Prudence Island, Patience Island, Hope Island and Hog Island. With a population of 17,349 (2010 U.S. Census), the town has one of the most progressive farm preservation programs in New England. The local economy thrives on its boating industry including its five (5) marinas.Portsmouth is centrally located on the eastern seaboard between the major metropolitan areas of New York and Boston. Situated close to interstate highways, I-95, I-195, and 24, Portsmouth remains easily accessible to the rest of the northeast. Portsmouth is located 4 miles north of historic Newport, 22 miles east of Providence, 10 miles south of Fall River, 65 miles west of Cape Cod, 70 miles south of Boston, and 210 miles east of New York City.

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