Special Education Paraprofessional; SSA

Student Services Assistant (SSA)

The Student Services Assistant (SSA) plays a critical role in supporting students with diverse learning needs in both general education and special education settings under the direction of certified staff. SSAs assist students in achieving academic, functional, and behavioral success through reinforcement of instructional strategies, classroom support, and general supervision. While physical management is not a required responsibility of this role, SSAs must be comfortable working with students who may have emotional and behavioral challenges and must be able to implement de-escalation strategies as part of a team approach.

SSAs may assist with adaptive skills (such as mobility support, toileting, feeding, and medical needs) for students who are not in the BEST or STRIVE programs. Additionally, SSAs, particularly in the early childhood (ELC) and early elementary settings, may often be required and expected to assist with bath rooming and personal hygiene skills as part of students' developmental learning and self-care routines.

SSAs placed at the high school level and Barrington Transition Program (BTP) can also serve as job coaches, supporting students in learning, developing, and maintaining job-related skills for workplace readiness and transition activities.

These SSAs will help students:
Follow job-related expectations and responsibilities in school-based and community work settings. Practice workplace social skills, including communication, problem-solving, and self-advocacy. Ensure students understand and follow employer expectations, safety procedures, and task completion strategies. Support students in using appropriate accommodations and modifications in work settings. Assist in data collection and progress monitoring related to job performance and independence.

SSAs report to the principal, TOSA and/or designee. Essential duties and responsibilities include instructional and academic support, behavioral and social-emotional support, adaptive and daily living support, workplace readiness and job coaching, general supervision and student safety, collaboration and communication, and confidentiality and professional responsibilities.

Physical and work environment requirements include the ability to lift, transfer, and assist students with mobility needs (up to 50-80 lbs. with assistance). Frequent physical activity, including walking, kneeling, bending, assisting with transitions, and de-escalation. Ability to work in a variety of settings, including classrooms, playgrounds, and hallways. Willingness to spend a portion of each day outdoors on the playground or supporting bus duty, in various weather conditions.

For SSAs in job coaching roles, ability to work in community job sites and model appropriate workplace behavior.

Terms of employment include calendar days, hours per day, wage grid lane, hourly rate starting range, and benefits.