The posting
Educational Support Professional (ESP)
Johnson Elementary School | Nahant Public Schools School Year 2026–2027
Position Overview
Johnson Elementary School is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and highly attentive Educational Support Professional (ESP) to provide support to an elementary student who requires additional behavioral, safety, and educational support throughout the school day.
The ESP will work as a member of the student's educational team and collaborate closely with the classroom teacher, special education staff, school adjustment counselor, MTSS team, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), as appropriate.
The position requires the ability to provide consistent individualized support, maintain close supervision, implement proactive behavioral strategies, and respond appropriately to safety concerns, while supporting the student's participation in instruction and development of greater independence.
The successful candidate will understand that the goal of individualized support is not simply supervision, but helping the student access learning, develop skills, participate in the school community, and gradually increase independence.
Essential Responsibilities
- Provide individualized support to the student throughout the school day, including during classroom instruction, transitions, specials, lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and other school activities.
- Maintain appropriate proximity and supervision based on the student's individualized educational and safety needs.
- Implement strategies and supports identified in the student's IEP, behavior support plan, safety plan, or other individualized plans.
- Provide proactive support during transitions and activities that may present increased behavioral or safety challenges.
- Maintain awareness of the student's location and surroundings and respond appropriately to attempts to leave a supervised area.
- Follow established school and student-specific procedures for responding to elopement or other safety concerns.
- Support the student in using appropriate communication, regulation, social, and replacement skills.
- Provide prompting, redirection, and reinforcement in a positive and respectful manner.
- Support the student's participation in classroom instruction rather than unnecessarily removing the student from the learning environment.
- Assist the student in developing independence by appropriately fading prompts and adult assistance when determined appropriate by the educational team.
- Collect and document student information and behavioral data as directed by the student's educational team or BCBA.
- Communicate relevant observations, concerns, and successes to the classroom teacher and appropriate members of the student support team.
- Collaborate with teachers, special educators, related service providers, BCBA, school adjustment counselor, MTSS staff, and administrators.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with all district policies, student safety procedures, and applicable special education requirements.
- Perform other duties within the ESP role as assigned by the building administrator.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Experience working with elementary-aged students preferred.
- Experience supporting students with autism, developmental disabilities, behavioral needs, or individualized safety plans preferred.
- RBT certification or experience implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies is preferred but not required. Certification will be necessary.
- Ability to remain calm, patient, attentive, and responsive in challenging or unexpected situations.
- Strong communication, observation, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to consistently implement individualized student plans and follow direction from the educational team.
- Ability to maintain appropriate physical proximity and respond safely to a student who may attempt to leave a supervised area, consistent with district training and safety procedures.
- Commitment to supporting student dignity, inclusion, independence, and access to instruction.
- Physically able to move quickly
Professional Expectations
The successful candidate will be a positive and collaborative member of the Johnson Elementary School community. We are seeking an individual who:
- Builds a trusting and respectful relationship with students.
- Uses proactive approaches to behavior.
- Maintains high expectations while recognizing individual student needs.
- Understands that behavior is communication and seeks to identify and support underlying needs.
- Works collaboratively with educators and service providers.
- Protects student dignity and confidentiality.
- Supports the school's expectations to Be Safe. Be Respectful. Be Responsible.
Position Flexibility
This position is an Educational Support Professional position with student-support responsibilities. Student assignments and responsibilities may change based on student needs, IEP requirements, school programming, staffing, and building needs.
Employees may be assigned to provide individualized or small-group support, classroom-based support, behavioral support, academic support, supervision, or other duties within the ESP role as determined by the school administration and consistent with applicable collective bargaining agreements and district policies.
Work Schedule
School-year position Monday - Friday Salary: According to the Support Staff Contract
To Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Three professional references
Applications should be submitted throughSchool Spring/Talent Ed.
Contact:
Principal Heather Castonguay
Nahant Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected status under applicable law.
