Special Education Emotional Support Assistant

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health; Laguna Hills (CA); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision

Mental health services

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan debt assistance

Generous time-off

Job summary

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health is seeking an Instructional Assistant (emotional support) in Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The role supports students with special needs, helps implement IEP/PBSP, and assists with personal and medical needs under school health staff.

Shift is Monday–Friday, 7:30am–3:30pm, with potential for growth within a values-driven, non-profit system. The organization emphasizes comprehensive benefits after 30 days, including health, dental, and mental

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• High School diploma or GED required; Associates degree preferred.
• Previous experience working in a special education or behavioral healthcare setting with students with severe/complex behavioral/emotional issues preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain classroom policies and procedures, while assisting students by modeling appropriate behavior, providing emotional support, and adopting a patient and friendly attitude.
• Assist in the implementation of students’ individualized education program (IEP) and positive behavior support plan (PBSP) as directed by the teacher.
• Assist with student personal needs, when required, including medical needs in conjunction with the school-based health or nursing staff.
• Participates in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.
• Understand team goals and own role within the team. Support team decisions and cooperates with others within and outside the team.
• Utilize crisis physical intervention techniques under the direction of the teacher and as appropriate tothe setting and the degree of threat to the safety of the student and others.

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associates degree preferred

Job description

Description

Working in Saddleback Valley Unified School District

Starting at $20.60/hr up to $21.57/hr pending higher education and experience in the field

As an Instructional Assistant (emotional support) you will work with students with special needs. Reporting to the Emotional Support Special Education Teacher, among other duties, this position will:

• Support and maintain classroom policies and procedures, while assisting students by modeling appropriate behavior, providing emotional support, and adopting a patient and friendly attitude.

• Assist in the implementation of students’ individualized education program (IEP) and positive behavior support plan (PBSP) as directed by the teacher.

• Assist with student personal needs, when required, including medical needs in conjunction with the school-based health or nursing staff.

• Participates in meetings and in-service training programs as assigned.

• Understand team goals and own role within the team. Support team decisions and cooperates with others within and outside the team.

• Utilize crisis physical intervention techniques under the direction of the teacher and as appropriate tothe setting and the degree of threat to the safety of the student and others.

Shift:Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 3:30pm

What Devereux Offers You

In addition to a competitive salary, Devereux provides a comprehensive health and welfare program to eligible full-time employees, family members and domestic partners. Eligible employees are eligible to start benefits after 30 days of employment. In addition, we offer

• Medical (including telemedicine via phone, web, app), dental, prescription drug, preventative care, and mental health services.

• Student loan debt assistance, tuition reimbursement and continuing education assistance.

• Generous time-off

• 403(b) retirement plan with matching benefit.

• Life and accident coverage

Qualifications

Job Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• High School diploma or GED required, Associates degree preferred

• Previous experience working in a special education or behavioral healthcare setting with students with severe/complex behavioral/emotional issues preferred

Devereux has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and maintains policies and procedures to systematically reduce the risk of abuse to occur in our organization. Devereux fosters a culture of reporting abuse, and will cooperate with the authorities to the fullest extent possible.

Company Overview

Company Overview

Devereux is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations, providing services, insight and leadership in the evolving field of behavioral healthcare. Founded in 1912, Devereux operates a comprehensive national network of clinical, therapeutic, educational and employment programs that positively impact the lives of 10,000+ children, adults – and their families – every year.

Our Mission: Devereux changes lives – by unlocking and nurturing human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral or cognitive differences.

With nearly 6,500 employees working in programs across the country, Devereux is a trusted partner for families, schools and communities, serving individuals in the areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, education and foster care.

Our Culture, Our Expectations

At Devereux, Servant Leadership is embedded throughout our culture and every aspect of our organizational framework. Our mission-driven, people-first mindset is at the heart of the compassionate and high-quality programming we provide – every day – for the individuals and families we serve, and other key stakeholders. Devereux offers challenging and exciting work, and our team environment creates an empowering, positive and rewarding atmosphere. To be successful at Devereux, you will: put the needs of others first, feel called to serve and called to lead. As a member of our team, you will be a significant part of our commitment to providing a welcoming and supportive work environment across all programs and services, and within all policies and employee practices.

We believe a workplace rooted in inclusivity – offering a sense of belonging to all those who walk through our doors – is fundamental to delivering the highest quality healthcare services. Through open dialogue and the creation of brave spaces, we will engage in work that gives each of us a chance to change the world – one person, one family, one community at a time.

What Devereux Offers You

In addition to a competitive salary, Devereux provides a comprehensive health and welfare program to eligible full-time employees, family members and domestic partners. Eligible employees are eligible to start benefits after 30 days of employment. In addition, we offer;

• Medical (including telemedicine via phone, web, app), dental, prescription drug, preventative care, and mental health services.

• Student loan debt assistance, tuition reimbursement and continuing education assistance.

• Generous time-off (start accruing 1st day), 403(b) retirement plan with matching benefit, and voluntary/employee paid supplemental life and accident coverage.

• Employee assistance / work-life balance program.

Visit www.mydevereuxbenefits.orgto see why Devereux is a great place to work!

Devereux is a drug-free workplace, drug screening required. EOE

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Posted Date 2 weeks ago (10/2/2026 1:07 PM)

Requisition ID 2026-53238

Category Education

Position Type Full-Time

Location : City Laguna Hills

Location : State/Province CA

Location : Country US

The employment policies of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health are to recruit and hire qualified employees without discrimination because of race, religion, creed, color, age, sex, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, veteran status, communication ability, gender identity or expression or sexual orientation and to treat them equally with respect to compensation and opportunities for advancement - including upgrading, promotion and transfer - consistent with individual skills and the needs of Devereux.