Life Skills Instructor

Little City; Palatine (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance (short/long-term)

401(k) and Roth 401(k) with employer-m

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life and critical illness insurance

Hospital indemnity insurance

Paid holidays

Paid time off (vacation, personal, and

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Little City is seeking a Life Skills Instructor at its Palatine campus. You will provide direct care and supervision for children, document activities, and assist with daily living tasks. The role requires reliable transportation and adherence to safety and reporting protocols.

Training will be provided to support successful performance. Benefits include comprehensive health plans, retirement options, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum age 21.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license.
• Medication Administration training completion required or eligibility.
• Preferred: 1 year experience with children facing developmental/behavioral challenges.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Psychology, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and support to children in Residential Program.
• Monitor children and maintain appropriate child-to-staff ratios.
• Follow program goals and directions from supervisors.
• Document daily activities in logs and required records.
• Respond to crisis calls and provide backup coverage as needed.
• Attend team and departmental meetings as scheduled.
• Adhere to policies including mandated reporting and safety procedures.
• Maintain housekeeping and report maintenance issues.
• Handle financial duties such as receipts and mileage.
• Assist with reassignment to meet emergency staffing needs.
• Complete Little City training programs as assigned.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in related field (preferred)

Job description

Life Skills Instructor (LSI)

Position located at Little City Main Campus, Palatine, Illinois. Hourly wage range: $22.00 – $23.00. Shift differential for weekend work: $3.00/hr. Overtime rates: $33.00/hr to $34.50/hr for hours exceeding 40 per week.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct care, support, and intervention to children in the Residential Program, including assistance with daily living activities.
• Maintains continuous awareness of children’s whereabouts and supervises them while upholding proper child‑to‑staff ratios.
• Offers consistent support and intervention as directed by the Program Manager, Home Managers, and House Clinicians, in line with individual goals.
• Documents daily activities through shift logs, home logbooks, MARs, and other required records.
• Responds to Positive Action Team (PAT) staff calls to provide backup for children in crisis.
• Attends team and departmental meetings as scheduled.
• Complies with all program policies, including mandated reporting of abuse and neglect, and promptly reports safety incidents.
• Maintains housekeeping standards, performs directed duties, and reports maintenance issues.
• Manages financial duties such as submitting receipts, documenting mileage, and safeguarding property.
• Cooperates with reassignment to other homes for emergency staffing and ratio compliance.
• Completes all required Little City training, re‑training, and additional courses as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED certification.
• Minimum age of 21 years.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license and ability to transport children.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Completion of Medication Administration classroom and on‑the‑job training, with clearance to join the Med Pass team.
• Preferred: One year of experience with children who have developmental, behavioral, or emotional challenges.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Psychology, or related discipline.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance; short‑term and long‑term disability; 401(k) and Roth 401(k) plans with employer match; Flexible Spending Accounts; life and critical illness insurance; hospital indemnity; paid holidays; paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick); and an employee assistance program.

Application Process

Submit your resume and cover letter through the careers page at www.littlecity.org/careers or email them to [e-mail] with the subject line “Open Position: Life Skills Instructor.”