Boston College·Newton, Massachusetts
The role involves developing and overseeing individualized transition plans for students aged 14 to 21 to facilitate their move to adult services. Responsibilities include providing direct instruction in vocational and daily living skills and serving as a liaison between families and community providers.
Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,654 full-time undergraduates and 5,072 graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 full-time and 1,336 FTE faculty, 2,822 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.9 billion.
The Campus School at Boston College is a private, publicly funded special education day school within the Lynch School of Education and Human Development on the Boston College campus.
The Campus School educates students ages 3-22 with extensive support needs, including complex medical needs.
SUMMARY The Life Skills Coordinator/Teaching Assistant/Teacher Assistant will carry out programmatic and consultation responsibilities.
They will work directly with students and teams to assist with all aspects of transition services and processes.
The Life Skills Coordinator/Teaching Assistant will also develop individualized transition plans for students ages 14 to 21 and oversee the transition process.
They will support the classroom team in vocational service development, community-based experiences, leisure/recreation, daily living, self-advocacy, and other related needs, as appropriate.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Serve as a liaison between the Campus School, families, adult service agencies, and community providers to support transition planning and implementation for students aged 14 and older.
Maintain records, data, and transition portfolios in collaboration with the Service Delivery Team for students transitioning to adult services.
Plan, coordinate, and support vocational experiences, including job placements on the Boston College campus.
Provide direct instruction and support to transition-age students in areas including: Leisure and recreation Community-based and community-referenced instruction Vocational and employment skills Self-advocacy and self-determination Social skills and community participation Adapt instructional materials and utilize assistive technology to maximize student access, participation, and independence.
Develop and facilitate community-based instruction and cultivate partnerships within Boston College and the surrounding community.
Provide training and consultation to Campus School staff on transition programming and best practices, as needed.
Follow daily classroom schedules and implement group and individual student programming in collaboration with classroom teachers.
Assist with the organization and maintenance of classroom materials, therapeutic supplies, and equipment.
Accompany and support students during therapy sessions as needed to promote skill generalization.
Attend classroom team meetings, staff meetings, in-service trainings, and other required professional development activities.
Communicate effectively and professionally with students, families, colleagues, administrators, and community partners.
Observe and support students across school environments, serving individuals ages 3–22 as needed.
Assist students with personal care and activities of daily living, as appropriate.
Uphold the mission, values, and policies of the Campus School at Boston College.
Hiring Range: $27.00/hr to $30.00/hr.
Pay rate commensurate with relevant experience.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE Related Work Experience Minimum two years of experience working with students with extensive support needs in a school Knowledge of the transition process for students turning twenty-one Knowledge of behavioral management techniques Formal Education Bachelor’s degree preferred Transition Certificate preferred Skills/Abilities/Competencies Excellent Communication Skills Excellent Organizational Skills Excellent Interpersonal Skills Excellent Technology Skills Excellent Problem-Solving Ability Proven ability in the areas of curriculum and instruction Ability to work as part of a transdisciplinary team Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Assist and/or lift students who have physical disabilities
Boston College offers a broad and competitive range of benefits depending on your job classification eligibility: Tuition remission for Employees Tuition remission for Spouses and Children who meet eligibility requirements Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Low-Cost Life Insurance Eligibility for both University-Funded 401k and Employer-Sponsored 403b Retirement Plans Paid Holidays Annually Generous Sick and Vacation Pay Additional benefits can be found on https://www.bc.edu/employeehandbook Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process. Boston College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected category, including disability and protected veteran status. Boston College's Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination.
Market context
Teaching assistant roles in Massachusetts are often tied to steady school and early childhood staffing needs, especially where programs need support with classroom routines and student supervision. These positions can be competitive because employers may look for a CDA, an associate degree, or 60 college credits, along with strong communication skills and the physical ability to stay active with children. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm whether your credentials and lifting expectations match the posting before applying.