Behavior Mentor 26/27 SY

Nimble; Indianapolis, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Indianapolis Public Schools is seeking a dedicated paraeducator to support individual students with behavioral and social‑emotional challenges. You will model positive behaviors and implement strategies within each student’s plan, collaborating with the school-based team to help every learner succeed.

In this role you’ll monitor student progress, assist with data tracking, attend meetings with teachers and specialists, and provide targeted supports to reduce suspensions while promoting a safe,

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or 60 semester hours of college credit required.
• Prior work experience with children with behavioral challenges preferred.
• Basic computer skills necessary.
• Must be able to work under the instruction of a certified teacher but without constant direct supervision.
• Participation in mandatory job training prior to beginning the position.

Responsibilities

• Monitor students continually within various school environments.
• Meet regularly to collaborate with classroom staff and specialists.
• Support the classroom teacher with social-emotional interventions to reduce suspensions.
• Promote highly specialized positive behavior interventions.
• Supervise and redirect students to ensure a safe environment.
• Attend parent meetings to provide insight into behavioral progress.
• Participate in implementing the student Behavior Plan.
• Use data tracking techniques to collect behavior data.
• Utilize de-escalation strategies with a student in crisis.
• Attend meetings and professional development sessions for job functions.

Education

Associate’s degree or 60 semester hours

Job description

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you’ll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You’ll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key—you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What’s Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A Career in IPS Offers…

Purpose and Impact:

• Essential Contributions: In every non-teaching and non-leadership role, your work directly supports the success of IPS students and schools. Whether you’re maintaining facilities, providing student services, or managing administrative operations, you play a key part in ensuring an equitable and high-quality educational environment.
• Belonging and Community: IPS is a place where every employee is valued. You’ll join a supportive community that promotes respect, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving students and families.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Training and Development Opportunities: IPS offers a variety of training programs to help staff build new skills and grow professionally. This includes access to development opportunities for administrative, technical, and operational roles, as well as pathways to becoming a certified teacher.
• Skill Enhancement: Whether you’re new to your role or seeking to deepen your expertise, IPS provides resources and support for continuous improvement.

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits:

• Fair Compensation: IPS ensures competitive wages and regularly reviews pay structures to maintain equity.
• Extensive Benefits Package: Employees enjoy comprehensive health coverage, dental and vision plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans. Additional financial benefits include flexible spending accounts and eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.

Work-Life Balance and Well-being:

• Generous Leave Policies: IPS offers vacation, personal, and sick leave, along with paid holidays. Twelve-month employees benefit from floating holidays, and unused personal leave rolls into the sick leave balance.
• Wellness Programs: IPS prioritizes staff well-being with access to wellness initiatives, including health screenings and an employee assistance program for confidential support and counseling.

What We Expect:

• Professionalism and Reliability: Every role at IPS is vital to the district’s success. We expect staff to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, educators, and families.
• Collaboration and Communication: IPS values teamwork. Working collaboratively with your colleagues ensures a supportive environment for all. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to maintaining this culture.
• Flexibility and Problem-Solving: As a large, dynamic district, IPS needs staff who are adaptable and proactive in solving problems to meet the ever-changing needs of students and schools.

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it’s a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What’s Possible – in your career and in your school. If you’re ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

Purpose of Position

Provide support to individual students with behavioral and social-emotional challenges. Model and encourage positive behavioral changes by implementing strategies within the student’s IEP and collaborating with the school-based team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor students continually within a variety of school environments including, but not limited to the cafeteria, playground, classroom, restroom, hallway, field trips and assemblies.
• Meet regularly to collaborate with the classroom teacher, Behavior Specialist, Mental Health Therapist, and other school staff to discuss student behavior and progress.
• Support the classroom teacher by providing opportunities for social-emotional interventions and supports in order to reduce the number of suspensions, expulsions and exclusions of the student.
• Support the teacher by promoting highly specialized positive behavior interventions.
• Continually supervise, monitor and redirect the student in order to ensure a safe, non-threatening, nurturing environment where the student can thrive.
• Attend parent meetings to provide insight into the student’s behavioral progress.
• Participate in the implementation of the student Behavior Plan.
• Use specialized data tracking techniques to collect student behavior data.
• Use specialized de-escalation strategies with a student in crisis.
• Attend meetings and professional development sessions for the purpose of acquiring and/or conveying information relative to the job functions.
• Perform other duties, as assigned by the Student Support Strategists and/or The Emotional and Behavioral Services Coordinator.

Critical core competencies for successful performance in this role include:

• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills
• Results-oriented
• Unwavering moral compass guided by personal ethics, integrity, tolerance, and trustworthiness
• Ability to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to collaborate with the classroom teacher and other building staff in a professional and collegial manner
• Responsible for abiding within Article 7 and IDEA regulation

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications

Associate’s degree or 60 semester hours of college credit or successful completion of ParaPro Assessment test required. Prior work experience with children with behavioral challenges in school, child care, or residential setting preferred. Organizational skills required in order to compile and maintain documentation and data collection. Basic computer skills necessary. Must be able to work under the instruction of a certified teacher but without constant direct supervision. Participation in mandatory job training prior to beginning the position.

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:

Non-Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:

Not eligible

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EEOC STATEMENT:

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.