Behavior Support Teaching Assistant

Perkins helps kids with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO, we are committed to delivering best-in-class education to children, providing immersive training and support to professionals and families, advocating for inclusion, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. At Perkins, we think courageously, act collaboratively, and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference.

As a Behavior Support Teaching Assistant (TA), you will be directly working with students while being given the opportunity to grow in your career. Your responsibilities will include supporting students in their classrooms across the day, implementing behavior support plans or behavior guidelines, and providing direct care. Additionally, there may be opportunities to assist other students in the same or different classrooms as needed. If in the future you are interested in becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a Related Services Professional, a Special Education Teacher, among others, this is the role for you!

We’d love to talk with you if you have many of the following:

Knowledge and Professional Growth

• You maintain appropriate certifications and complete required training hours as well as attend mandated trainings, including on-the-job training.

• You participate in clinical meetings, staff meetings, and professional development days.

• You possess skill and knowledge to perform all job requirements effectively, efficiently and safely.

• You remain positive and actively engaged with students across school hours.

• You can clearly and concisely define and present job responsibilities and program goals to others.

• You communicate effectively with peers and supervisors.

• You are receptive to positive and constructive feedback, and work to incorporate feedback into day-to-day performance.

• You actively acquire and apply current knowledge.

• You show initiative in further developing position responsibilities and program goals to others.

• You work collaboratively with a team of support staff.

• You actively participate in program and campus wide projects and activities.

• You demonstrate an understanding of the general curriculum as well as the expanded core curriculum.

• You participate in company Safety-Care training for initial and re-certification.

• You are dedicated to your own professional and skill development.

Individualized Student Programs

• You assist in the development and implementation of IEP goals, objectives and strategies.

• You collect behavioral and IEP data across school hours.

• You develop and prioritize measurable objectives for students, both short and long term.

• You promote student independence, self-confidence, and development of social, organizational, and other critical skills to the maximum extent possible.

• You implement behavior analytic programming.

• You report any clinical or other concerns to supervising BCBA.

• You take initiative to plan activities that meet the development level of the student.

• You develop performance measures and inform students of the criteria for success.

• You evaluate student performance, keep records, and report progress in learning.

• You assist in providing a language and communication model based on the individual needs of the student.

Provide and Maintain Learning Environment

• You maintain structure, rules, procedures and standards of behavior.

• You adapt the environment to be conducive to learning

• You establish good rapport and maintain respectful relationships with students and are a positive role model for students and staff.

• You adapt lessons for individuals with diverse needs and various backgrounds.

• You maintain a safe and supportive environment for students with complex disabilities.

• You provide high-quality direct care for students at Perkins School for the Blind.

• You provide crisis de-escalation when needed.

• You protect the confidentiality of students.

Education and/or Experience                   

• High School diploma, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred

• Prior experience working with children with special needs preferred

• Willingness to complete and maintain First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Safety-Care required. 

• Certification as a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board is preferred.

If hired as a regular employee at Perkins, we have benefits that put you first, including an employer contributing retirement plan, tuition reimbursement from day one, professional development, personal days, paid time off and paid sick leave. Our campus is quaint, charming and historical, a perfect mix of legacy and modern buildings. It is located in the heart of Watertown, adjacent to the Charles River and less than 1 mile from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.

Perkins is an equal opportunity employer. View the Perkins Notice of non-discrimination.