Easterseals Academy is a therapeutic school that provides schooling for children with an autism spectrum disorder, emotional disability, developmental delay, or intellectual disability. School districts refer students to Easterseals Academy where the schools provide an alternative school placement for these students to help them to achieve independence. Easterseals Academy has three campuses, located in Chicago, Machesney Park, and Tinley Park.

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

Easterseals Academy is seeking a motivated and skilled Behavior Consultant to join our team on a temporary basis to cover maternity leave. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to gain experience in a dynamic environment while supporting our team during this transition. 

The Behavior Consultant acts as the primary case manager for all student behavior treatment plans. The Behavior Consultant develops and implements behavioral intervention plans; completes and submits required reports; and provides consultative support to teachers, clinicians, and implementers in the area of behavior management strategies.

This position is located at the Easterseals Academy - Machesney Park Campus at 8301 Mitchelle Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Complete functional behavioral assessment for students’ IEP or behavior program.
• Develop and update behavior intervention plans quarterly, for IEP meetings, and 30-day review meetings and throughout the school year as needed in collaboration with educational and clinical teams.
• Develop emergency behavior treatment plans for students on caseload as needed.
• Monitor all behavior intervention plans for students on caseload on an ongoing basis throughout the school year.
• Conduct and document monthly check-in meetings with classrooms and identified implementers of all behavior intervention plans on caseload throughout the school year.
• Implement and track school-wide reinforcement/positive behavior support system linking classroom behaviors to a reward system for all students throughout the school year.
• Participate in all meetings (IEP, team meetings, etc. for students on caseload throughout the school year.
• Establish and maintain consistent communication with the parents/guardians of students on caseload throughout the school year.
• Interact with administration and classroom staff regarding clinical recommendations.
• Provide support, resources, and recommendations for all classrooms on caseload as needed throughout the school year.
• Quarterly check in meetings with academy behavior consultants regarding students on caseloads.
• Participate in all scheduled in-house trainings throughout the school year.
• Orientate new teachers and clinicians on behavior program.
• Provide on-going in-servicing/training to staff members on behavioral management strategies and interventions.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in a behavior-related field.
• State-Approved Paraprofessional License

Experience Required:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders and/or related disabilities and co-occurring challenging behaviors.
• Experience in the implementation of positive behavior support plans based on principles of behavior analysis.
• Preferred understanding and awareness of autism and related disorders
• Ability to perform all functions necessary to obtain certification in agency-required crisis prevention and intervention training and CPR

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task in a high-stress environment.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities.
• Well-organized and detail-oriented with an emphasis on accuracy
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to perform all functions necessary to obtain full certification in Professional Crisis Management (Practitioner 2)

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.