Illinois schools regularly need paraprofessionals to support classroom instruction, student behavior, and individualized learning, especially in settings serving diverse and neurodiverse learners. These roles are competitive because districts often look for candidates who combine a high school diploma or GED with strong communication, teamwork, and adaptability; prior experience with neurodiverse students can help. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, and tailor your application to show child-centered support experience and collaboration with teachers.
Quick overview
Provide behavioral, emotional, and academic support to students while maintaining a safe school environment. This includes implementing crisis support plans and utilizing trained physical intervention methods to ensure safety.
Requirements summary
Requires a High School Diploma and ISBE Paraprofessional certification or the ability to obtain it within 30 days. Prior experience with students with disabilities (ED, ASD, or OHI) is preferred.
high schoolprofessional certificateHIPAA ComplianceCrisis InterventionDe-escalationStudent SupervisionClassroom ManagementBehavioral SupportFERPA ComplianceAcademic SupportPhysical RestraintLesson Plan ExecutionCollaborative Problem Solving
Job description
1.
The purpose of this position is to provide behavioral, emotional, and academic support for students while creating, assisting, and maintaining a safe school environment for all Knapp School and Yeshiva students and staff.
The individual holding this position must be able to enact principles of trained methodologies in order to provide a range of supports for students throughout the school day.
They must be aware of the whereabouts of students at all times and be able to physically intervene using trained methods in order to reduce the risk of harm to students and/or staff in the event of unsafe behaviors.
They are able to perform all duties as assigned under the supervision of classroom teachers and school and organizational administration.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Maintain controlled, calm, helpful and appropriate demeanor during crisis situation and post crisis debrief. Use proper language for school setting and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students and staff.
Be familiar with and assist in implementing students’ crisis support plans, including elopement protocols.
Remain present and available in designated work location/station during entire scheduled shift unless directed otherwise due to assignment change or crisis. Communicate location via radio and plans for coverage when temporarily unavailable.
Assist Teachers in classroom during instruction (small group, whole group, and individual), behavior management, as well as in crisis situations
Helps supervise the lunch during the lunch period with the assigned classroom teacher.
Successfully complete and maintain certification in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (CPI) and UKARU.
Utilize interventions prescribed by CPI, Collaborative Problem Solving in order to provide support for students, with the goal of reducing the likelihood of a crisis situation and to deescalate critical situations. Utilization of CPI methods could include manually restraining students who are a variety of heights, weights, and strength capacities should they become physically out of control and consequently a danger to him/herself or others. This task may involve taking the student from a standing position to the floor, deflecting and or absorbing blows, bumps, kicks, spitting and other physically aggressive acts, moving furniture or other large, heavy objects in order to clear a space in which the student can be safely restrained.
Effectively intervene in students’ challenging behaviors using CPI prescribed methods to de-escalate critical situations.
Benefits
Dental Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
Paid Time Off
Vision Insurance
Medical Insurance
401k
Tuition Reimbursement
Professional Training
Paid Federal Holidays
Vacation Days
Sick Days
Paid Jewish Holidays
Maintain radio communication with staff and administration, ensuring the radio is turned on in audible position as well as on physical person at all times.
Communicate with Administration regarding crisis situations as applicable. Complete all required post-crisis documentation as required by school policy.
Executes lesson plans as assigned by the classroom teacher(s).
Participates and cooperates in special events, activities, parent/teacher conferences as deemed necessary by school administration.
Additional Job Responsibilities
Represent JCFS and its programs in a positive manner to both internal and external contacts.
Adheres to all applicable company policies and procedures.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Respects student confidentiality, as defined by HIPAA and FERPA
Requirements
Must be able to successfully complete CPI and Ukeru training and maintain the required credentials.
High School Diploma or equivalent.
ISBE Certified Paraprofessional or able to obtain the necessary credentials within 30 days of hire.
Prior experience working with students with disabilities, more specifically ED, ASD, or OHI populations
At least one year of related experience, preferred
What you’ll love about us
Time off: Paid time off varies by position - – includes vacation days, sick days, paid federal holidays, and paid Jewish holidays.
Benefit eligibility begins when working full time including Medical, dental, and vision insurance. 401(k) with base contribution and match. Additional health and wellness benefits, financial benefits, professional training, tuition reimbursement, 6 weeks paid parental leave, and much more.
Compensation: The minimum compensation for this position is $43,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on experience.
*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship*.
EEO Statement
Jewish Child and Family Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) employer. JCFS prohibits illegal discrimination and harassment and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, source of income, housing status, military service or discharge status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other protected category established by law, statute or ordinance. Accredited by COA, Charter member of CWLA, licensed by DCFS.
