Instructional Assistant

Tri-town School Union

Methuen, MA

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Autism, Behavioral Intervention, Communication Skills, Communicative Disorders, Computer Mouse Hardware, Crisis Intervention, Data Collection, Environmental Monitoring, Keyboards, Lift/Move 25 Pounds, Mathematics, Multitasking, Organizational Skills, Psychology, Record Keeping, Social Sciences, Special Education, Student Conduct, Training Program, Training/Teaching, Training/Teaching Curriculum, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Methuen, MA
POSTED
30+ days ago

Instructional Assistant JobID: 2286 Position Type: Student Support Services/Special Education Assistant Date Posted: 3/12/2026 Location: Howe Manning Elementary School Date Available: ASAP

Additional Information: Show/Hide 26 hours/week (Tu-Fri 8:15-3:15)

Job Description Title: Educational Support Personnel (ESP) Unit B Reports To: Special Education Coordinator and Principal Evaluated By: Special Education Coordinator and Principal

Qualifications:

  • Bachelors Degree preferred, in Psychology, Communication Disorders or Education
  • Experience working with primary age children with disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders and/or social/emotional/behavioral disabilities.
  • Practical knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis and intervention strategies, including social skills/ social thinking curricula.
  • Current/active in-depth training/ certification in Crisis Prevention and Intervention Strategies.
  • Good organization and communication skills.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Assists Teacher(s) in the smooth operation of the classroom.
  • Assist Teacher(s) in implementing students Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
  • Follows a daily schedule independently.
  • To implement specific instructional programs, and collect, record student performance information and data.
  • To implement various strategies and techniques consistent with identified behavior intervention plans and social skills facilitation methodologies across school settings.
  • Assist students in accessing the regular education curriculum, as deemed by their IEPs. This includes all content areas: ELA/Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Specific Job Tasks:

  • Under the direction of the Teacher, will actively facilitate students purposeful engagement in various learning centers, lessons and activities.
  • Under the direction of the Teacher and other professional staff, will Implement instructional programs related to IEP goals.
  • Under the direction of the Teacher and other professional staff, will accurately collect and record data across primary settings.
  • As directed by the Teacher, will participate in consultation meetings with staff regarding specific students and behavior/academic needs.
  • Support students across school settings and provide specific information regarding students performance, successes and challenges as well as the effectiveness of strategies/goals.
  • In conjunction with school staff, implement social skills activities designed to target specific social skill deficit areas identified by students IEP teams.
  • Provides verbal and/or written feedback to the teachers regarding students performance so that the special education team can make adjustments as may be necessary.
  • Assists special education students in performing daily/regular classroom and/or ADL activities; these could be general routines and/or specifically designed for one or more special education students.
  • Assists special education students in all academic areas as detailed in a childs IEP.
  • Other duties/responsibilities related to the needs of students as may be assigned by Principal, Pre-School Coordinator, or Special Education Coordinator.

Physical/Mental Demands of the Job:

  • Able to follow a daily schedule independently.
  • Able to physically restrain children weighing up to 80 pounds.
  • Able to sit on the floor and/or in chairs sized for young children for up to 45-60 consecutive minutes.
  • Able to shift positions rapidly and frequently, going between sitting, standing, squatting, etc. quickly.
  • Able to reach above head in order to assist or lift children on play equipment.
  • Able to multitask in a busy classroom environment, concurrently monitoring the actions of children in multiple learning centers.
  • Able to participate in PE classes and recesses.
  • Able to write and speak clearly.

Work Environment:

  • Be able to work in a close environment
  • Be able to work in moderately noisy environment
  • Be able to handle frequent interruptions

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to lift 25 lbs.
  • Be physically and emotionally capable of carrying-out responsibilities and duties in a busy, computerized environment. This position requires hand/wrist movement as in writing or using a computer keyboard/mouse and moderate to frequent exertion in body movements such as reaching, bending and twisting.
  • Vision requirements include the ability to read routine and complex documents and to use a computer.

Salary Scale: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xfyCyquflVoBrOCZES8HVdynVE_ru7H0jZUS1e-aL_0/edit?usp=sharing

About the Company

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Tri-town School Union