Specialized Paraprofessional Elementary

Illinois Education Job Bank; Illinois; On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Education Job Bank is seeking compassionate paraprofessionals to support students with complex needs in specialized and inclusive classrooms. You will work under a teacher's direction, using adapted materials, visuals, and hands-on activities to engage learners.

Responsibilities include assisting with routines, mobility, feeding or self-care as needed, and supporting communication via AAC devices. You will collaborate with the team, follow student plans, collect simple data, and help

Qualifications

• Desire to work with students who have complex needs.
• Comfortable providing hands-on support in an active classroom environment.
• Ability to follow structured routines and take direction from a teacher.
• Must obtain and maintain CPI certification (training provided).
• Willingness to attend trainings on AAC devices.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Illinois Paraprofessional License; may apply on offer.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the teacher, provide support to students in specialized and inclusive learning environments.
• Use adapted materials, visuals, and hands-on support to help students engage in learning.
• Help students follow daily routines and complete structured tasks.
• Work with a wide range of students with health, physical, emotional, intellectual, and/or behavioral disabilities.
• Assist with adaptive/self-care needs throughout the day, including mobility, feeding, diapering, and bathroom assistance.
• Support communication with Alternative and Augmentative Communication devices.
• Provide physical assistance in transporting students between classrooms and other learning environments.
• Assist with arrival, dismissal, and transportation needs.
• Collaborate with the teacher and support staff as part of a team.
• Follow student-specific plans, collect simple data, and maintain daily records.
• Assist with classroom setup, organization, and preparation when needed.

Skills

Desire to work with complex needs

Hands-on classroom support

Follow structured routines

CPI certification training provided

Willingness to attend trainings (AAC)

High School Diploma or GED

Illinois Paraprofessional License

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Illinois Paraprofessional License (may apply on offer)

Job description

Student Care & Physical Support

• Under the direction of the teacher, provide support to students in specialized and inclusive learning environments
• Use adapted materials, visuals, and hands-on support to help students engage in learning
• Help students follow daily routines and complete structured task

Behavior & Social Support

• Work with a wide range of students with health, physical, emotional, intellectual, and/or behavioral disabilities
• Assist with adaptive/self-care needs throughout the day. This may include feeding, diapering, bathroom assistance, mobility
• Support communication with Alternative and Augmentative Communication devices
• Provide physical assistance (proximity and direct support) in transporting students between classrooms and other learning environments
• Assist with arrival, dismissal, and transportation needs

Teamwork & Classroom Support

• Work as part of a collaborative team with the teacher and support staff
• Follow student-specific plans and directions provided by the teacher
• Collect simple data and maintain daily records as directed
• Assist with classroom setup, organization, and preparation when needed

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Desire to work with students who have complex needs
• Comfortable providing hands-on support in an active classroom environment
• Ability to follow structured routines and take direction from a teacher
• Must obtain and maintain Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) certification (training provided). Training focuses on prevention, de-escalation, and safe ways to support students during moments of strong emotions and unsafe behavior
• Willingness to attend additional trainings specific to students you work with including training on Alternative and Augmentative Communication devices
• High School Diploma or GED
• Illinois Paraprofessional License; may apply on offer

Additional Notes

Specialized Special Education Paraprofessionals provide assistance to students with a variety of complex conditions. Specialized Special Education Paraprofessionals are key members of a structured, team-based classroom that supports students with a wide range of learning, communication and behavioral needs. Paraprofessionals work closely with the classroom teacher and support staff to provide consistent routines, hands-on support, and meaningful learning experiences throughout the school day. This role focuses on helping students build independence, participate in daily routines, and improve communication.

Duties may include mobility assistance, feeding with or without adaptive assistance, bathrooming, diapering, documentation and maintenance of daily procedure, and assistance with the instructional programming using instructional materials that are adapted to meet the needs for students PK-age 22.