Behavior Specialist

A member of the Nexus family treatment programs, Nexus-Onarga Family Healing is located approximately 90 miles south of Chicago and only a few miles off of I-57 on a historic site in Onarga, IL. Nexus Onarga provides boys ages 10 to 20 years old a structured, homelike environment where they can safely address their unhealthy sexual behaviors and their emotional and behavioral issues.

At Nexus, we believe in changing the course of a child’s life by stabilizing families and strengthening mental health through trauma-informed care. We are a large nonprofit within the human services, mental health, and behavioral health sectors. Nexus is a growing, innovative organization focused on transforming our level of impact through a heightened focus on family expertise, healing complex trauma, and supporting high-stress youth and families.

Position Summary:

The Behavior Specialist provides therapeutic crisis intervention services within the school setting while working closely with the residential treatment team to provide consistent treatment approach.

Primary responsibilities:

Student Supervision & Safety

• Maintains the orderly transition of students during key times: morning arrivals, class transitions, lunch and breaks, afternoon departures and off-campus field trips or other outings.
• Assists and supports teaching staff in maintaining a classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Ensures student compliance with rules relating to personal conduct, personal appearance, hygiene, grooming, housekeeping as well as individual behavior goals.
• Assists with monitoring compliance of student population to established attendance policy and takes appropriate action to address truancy issues.
• Transports students when necessary and appropriate per established guidelines.

Integrated Mental Health

• Participates in developing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) behavior goals for Social/Emotional Function section.
•  Participates in progress meetings with teaching staff and parents.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation on student behavior progress and intervention activities.
•  Assists in the development of policy and procedure surrounding student behavior and conduct expectations.
• Participates in field trips and special event planning and organizing.
• Coordinates and implements, student activities and events that are part of the regular school day program and extracurricular programming.

Program Policy, Procedure & Training

• Exhibits clear, professional, respectful, and effective communication when interfacing with clients, coworkers, families and external contacts and willingly share knowledge, information and resources
• Remains current on all company policies, assigned trainings and/or certification requirements; exhibits a high degree of ethical conduct, discretion and confidentiality while exemplifying professional behavior.
• Continually seeks knowledge of and exhibits an understanding and acceptance of differences in gender, race, age, culture, ethnicity, class, religion and disability to better appreciate staff, children, and families.
• Engages in crisis interventions and applying de-escalation techniques when appropriate, while maintaining appropriate boundaries and relationships with students.
• Participates in all required trainings and remains current on any required certifications including obtaining and maintaining certification in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) techniques.

Required Education and Licensure:

• High School diploma or GED required
• Minimum 2 years of experience in a school, day treatment or residential treatment setting with demonstrated emphasis on behavior intervention responsibilities required
• Illinois: Paraprofessional Licensure through ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) 
• Valid driver’s license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements

Nice to Have:

• Associates or Bachelor's degree preferred
• MHP eligible in the state of IL preferred (MHP qualifications)

Work Schedule & Salary:

Salary: $18-$20 per hour 

Schedule: 

• Monday-Friday 7a-3:30p
• This position supports a year-round school with paid break weeks & holidays off throughout the year

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to assist staff in proper restraining of youths.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (2-4 hours).
• Must be able to twist, bend and stretch in a manner conducive to the execution of daily activities within the residential program

ICARE Values & Behavioral Competencies:

• Innovation: Leading the way and implementing creative, cutting-edge ideas and approaches.
• Compassion: Listening, honoring differences, and showing respect, kindness, empathy care, and concern.
• Agility: Exhibiting flexibility and adapting quickly.
• Responsiveness: Being quick, positive, and accurate.
• Excellence: Demonstrating quality results that surpass ordinary standards.

At Nexus Family Healing, our voices and actions will be focused on recognizing, affirming and respecting people of every race, ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender expression and faith.

Keywords:  "Behavior Interventionist", "Behavioral Health", "School Interventionist", "Behavior Analyst", "Behavior Counselor", "Mental Health Technician", "Teacher Aide", "Paraprofessional", " Teaching Assistant", "Substitute Teacher"

Salary : $18 - $20