Short-Term Substitute Instructional Assistant - Special Education; Anticipated

Watertown Public Schools James Russell Lowell Elementary School
- Watertown, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

Job : 5943744
Final date to receive applications: Oct 30, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted: Sep 29, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)
Starting Date: Immediately

Position:Short-Term Sub Instructional Assistant
Department:Special Education
Reports to:Principal
Affiliation:Non-Aligned
Salary range:$139.00 per day

** This is a temporary Short-Term Substitute position expected to run through October 30, 2026.
** Upon the conclusion of the long-term assignment, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to continue working in the district as a daily per diem substitute, based on district needs and availability.

SUMMARY :

Watertown Public Schools seeks an outstanding Instructional Assistant to support students with disabilities in accessing their education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain student data as directed by teachers / related service providers
• Follow and implement behavior support plans as provided by teachers / related service providers
• Provide overall support to the classroom teacher and student, based on the needs of the student and the classroom
• Incorporate knowledge of student learning styles and child development to assist student learning
• Recognize when teaching and learning strategies are not successful and seek the guidance of the classroom teacher to adapt assistance accordingly
• Provide verbal support, prompting, redirection, and modeling in helping the student(s) access the activities of the curriculum
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS :

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The Superintendent may waive or modify the qualification requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Flexibility with respect to age groups, assignments
• Ability to follow through with directions
• Experience working with students at the elementary level who have significant learning and social/emotional needs
• Experience implementing Behavior Intervention Plans and an understanding of functions of behaviors
• Must have experience with or ability to learn ABA methodology and techniques
• Ability to take initiative to complete tasks and to assist students with de-escalation techniques and executive functioning skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as a part of a team
• Experience with, or ability to learn to utilize, assistive technology and PECS functional communication systems in support of students

EDUCATION/

EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Experience supporting students with disabilities in a public school setting preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Instructional Assistants may be required to supervise students in a variety of settings, which requires the ability to stand for extended periods of time. This position may require staff to intervene with students who are in behavioral crisis, which requires a normal degree of flexibility; the ability to stand, walk, run, and shuffle for at least several minutes; the ability to kneel on one knee and two knees and then stand up;

to bend the trunk at 45 degrees and twist to either side; to grasp firmly; to raise the hands above the head, and to learn and correctly demonstrate multi-step physical skills. Instructional Assistants may need to assist students with toileting needs, which may require the ability to lift and pivot.

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