Specialized Program Assistant

State Street Elementary; Westerly (RI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Westerly Public Schools in Westerly, RI seeks a Specialized Program Assistant for a 1-year position at State Street Elementary. The paraprofessional assists a teacher with instruction, personal care, and program compliance for students with special needs.

Responsibilities include implementing behavior plans, coordinating with nursing staff, and maintaining strict confidentiality. Requires high school diploma; ParaPro or higher education preferred; extensive training provided.

Qualifications

• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree preferred.
• Must demonstrate completion of 60 academic credits or ParaPro requirements as required by RI regulations.

Responsibilities

• Assist teacher with instruction, accommodations and personal care of students in a specialized program.
• Maintain confidentiality with students, parents and staff.
• Support students with behavioral plans and follow guidance from school nurse and teachers.
• Prepare materials, supervise during play and meals, and reinforce school rules.
• Participate in professional development and training as required.

Skills

Special needs support

Confidentiality

Behavior management

Communication skills

Computer proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suites

Job description

Specialized Program Assistant 26-27 SY Only

Westerly Public Schools (RI) State Street Elementary - Westerly, Rhode Island Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Rhode Island State DOE Consortium Job Board , and Westerly Public Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5899814
Application Deadline: Posted until filled
Posted: Aug 24, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Job Title: ParaprofessionalSpecialized Program Assistant1 Year Only

Location:State Street School

(Subject to change)

Effective Date:08/24/2026

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Pay Range: $23.09 - $24.09

Class Title: FTE: 1.0

Union:Local 808

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.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Must provide a current national background check without disqualifying results at time of hire

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.This position is dependent on Student enrollment.

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

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

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