Program Assistant Footsteps Lower School

Methuen Public School District; Methuen (MA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Methuen Public School District is seeking a Program Assistant to support Footsteps Upper School students with developmental and cognitive delays in a self-contained setting. You will implement lesson plans, manage behavior plans, and promote social and self-help skills while ensuring smooth arrival, dismissal, and inclusion in general education classes.

The role requires collaboration with teachers and staff, and may involve lifting up to 50 lbs as part of daily activities in a dynamic school

Qualifications

• High school diploma required with associates degree or higher preferred.
• Experience working with children, particularly those with cognitive delays.
• SPEDIAC training preferred and helpful for program delivery.
• Experience assisting in program implementation, including behavioral interventions.
• Ability to work with professional staff and support inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Support students with developmental and cognitive delays in a self-contained Lower School classroom.
• Assist with academics by implementing lesson plans and behavior plans.
• Support self-help skills, toileting, social skills, and inclusion throughout the school.
• Assist with arrival and dismissal and help with inclusion into general education classes.
• Be trained to assist if a student uses a communication device; assistive supports as needed.
• Physically demanding role; may lift up to 50 lbs.

Skills

Experience with children

Behavior management

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associates degree preferred

Job description

Program Assistant Footsteps Upper School

JobID: 929

• Position Type: Support Staff/ Special Education Assistant
• Date Posted: 8/31/2026

Qualifications

• High school diploma required with associates degree or higher preferred
• Experience working with children, particularly those with cognitive delays
• SPEDIAC training preferred
• Experience assisting in program implementation, including behavioral interventions
• Ability to work with professional staff
• Outstanding preparation and/or experience may be substituted for some of the above qualifications

General Responsibilities

• Support students with global developmental, cognitive delays, physical challenges who attend a self-contained LowerSchool classroom
• Support with academics- implementing lesson plans, programming developed by the special education teacher, behavior management, behavior plan, self-help skills, toileting, social skills, and inclusion throughout the school environment
• Assist with arrival/dismissal
• Support students during inclusion into general education classes
• Knowledge/will be trained if student uses a communication device
• Physically demanding, may need to lift up to 50 lbs