ABA Paraeducator - Pre-K

• Date Posted:
  7/9/2026
• Location:
  
  Indian N Sch - 12 Melrose Ave
• Date Available:
  
  August 2026

VACANCY NOTICE

2026 - 2027 School Year

July 9, 2026

Branford Public Schools

Work Year: 10-Month

Department: Student Support Services

FLSA Status: Represented, Non-Exempt

Reports To: BCBA / Lead Special Education Teacher

Hourly Rate: $19.37, plus $3 ABA Differential, pending union negotiations

The ABA Para educator provides behavioral and instructional support to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities. This role operates across a continuum of specialized care, supporting early intervention at the pre‑K level, foundational academic and behavioral development at the elementary level, and high‑level specialized programming at the intermediate and secondary levels.

Under the supervision of a BCBA and Lead Special Education Teacher, the ABA Para educator implements individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), facilitates skill acquisition, and ensures a safe, structured learning environment tailored to the unique developmental, age‑appropriate, and program‑specific needs of the students.

• Early childhood: Facilitate early intensive behavioral intervention, focusing on foundational school‑readiness skills, play‑based learning, toilet training, and early functional communication (e.g., PECS, AAC devices).
• Elementary: Support students with academic modifications, communication development, behavioral regulation, socialization, and integration into the school community.
• Intermediate: Assist students by focusing on emotional regulation, peer interaction, and independent executive functioning.
• High school: Support adolescents and young adults, focusing on self‑advocacy, functional life skills, vocational readiness, community‑based instruction, and post‑secondary transition goals.
• Universal ABA practices: Provide 1:1 and small‑group instruction using Evidence‑Based Practices (EBPs) rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), such as Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Natural Environment Teaching (NET).

• Collect precise, real‑time data on target behaviors and skill acquisition programs (e.g., frequency, duration, ABC data, trial‑by‑trial) using district‑sanctioned digital data collection platforms or paper logs.
• Execute instructional programs and behavioral protocols with fidelity to ensure treatment integrity and data reliability across all program settings.

• Prepare, organize, and adapt instructional materials (e.g., token economies, visual schedules, communication boards, task boxes).
• Support students through critical transitions, including school‑to‑school transitions, hallway navigation, recess/leisure times, lunch, and arrival/dismissal routines.
• Maintain a highly organized, predictable, and safe therapeutic learning environment.

• Maintain active, open communication with the supervising BCBA and Lead Special Education Teacher regarding student trends, behavioral spikes, or program mastery.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), Speech‑Language Pathologists (SLPs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Physical Therapists (PTs), and general education staff to promote skill generalization.
• Strictly adhere to FERPA regulations to maintain absolute student confidentiality.

• Maintain active certification in district‑approved crisis intervention and physical management protocols (i.e., CPI).
• Safely implement de‑escalation techniques and, only when necessary and trained, emergency physical intervention procedures.

• Associate degree, OR at least 60 college credits, OR
• High school diploma with successful completion of the Para pathways (formerly Para Pro) Assessment required.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with individuals with autism or developmental disabilities, preferably in an ABA or specialized school setting.

• Foundational understanding of ABA principles (reinforcement schedules, prompting hierarchies,…