Substitute Program Aide

LEARN Academy; Casa Grande (AZ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Job summary

LEARN Academy, formerly Desert Choice Schools, seeks a Substitute Program Aide to support students with special needs in academic and self-help skills, social and emotional regulation, and motor development.

Position offers entry pay with opportunity for merit increases; bachelor’s degree holders earn an additional hourly premium. This full‑time, 10‑month role includes training and ongoing mentoring, with breaks during school holidays.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.
• Willingness to train and learn in a special needs setting.
• Ability to collaborate and accept feedback from peers and supervisors.
• Experience with crisis management interventions and safety protocols.
• Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct instructional support to individuals or groups of students.
• Support social‑emotional, adaptive behavior, and social-skill development.
• Collect data on student progress as directed by the teaching/clinical team.
• Reinforce classroom learning and provide practice opportunities.
• Assist in community, recreational, school, and leisure activities as directed.
• Follow approved de‑escalation and safety techniques; training provided.
• Perform other duties as assigned by administration and staff.

Skills

Empathy

Collaboration

Mentoring

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card or eligible

Tools

Crisis Management Interventions

Job description

Overview

Gain rewarding experience with LEARN Academy!

As a Substitute Program Aide at Learn Academy, formerly known as Desert Choice Schools, you’ll have the exciting role of helping students with special needs develop academic and self-help skills, social and emotional regulation, flexible thinking, language development, and motor development.

Who We’re Looking For

Working as a Substitute Program Aide requires some specific characteristics that we look for, including:

• A genuine desire to help make a difference in the lives of children with special needs.
• A steady supply of compassion, empathy, enthusiasm, kindness, goodwill, and reliability.
• A willingness to learn about a variety of disability categories and learning differences.

Allow Us to Introduce Ourselves

LEARN Academy, formerly known as Desert Choice Schools (DCS) is a state-approved private day school in Arizona, serving students from kindergarten through grade 12. We provide individually tailored services to students with special needs — including autism and emotional and learning disabilities.

LEARN Academy is a national leader in special education, academic intervention, and specialized behavioral services. We use a structured program implemented in environments that facilitate functional independence and academic and social success.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation plan

Specifics to This Position

• Entry pay starts at $18 per hour with performance-based pay increases and mentored opportunities for advancement.
• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree earn an additional $.50 per hour.
• This is a full-time, 10-month position with unpaid school breaks

What You Have

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.
• 1-2 years’ experience working with children in a special needs educational setting preferred but not required – we are willing to train!
• Ability to collaborate and receive feedback, mentoring, and direction from peers and supervisors.
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining a professional and clinical perspective, with the ability to not internalize or personalize (e.g., emotionally) regarding certain student behaviors or mannerisms that occur.
• Demonstrated experience using physical ability and dexterity to safely and effectively use Crisis Management Interventions (including the use of therapeutic holds) of all involved (e.g., self, student, other employees).
• Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card or can obtain one.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing direct instructional support to individuals and/or groups of students.
• Providing structured support in social-emotional, adaptive behavior, and social-skill development.
• Collecting data regarding student(s) progress towards their goals/objectives as directed by the teaching and clinical team.
• Reinforcing academic behaviors taught by certified staff and providing the student with opportunities to practice.
• Assisting students in community, recreational, school, and leisure activities under the direction of certified staff.
• Implementing organization-approved techniques for verbal de-escalation and safe physical restraint. Training in specific therapeutic techniques provided by Desert Choice Schools.
• Performing other related duties as assigned and required by the building administration and certified staff.

Physical requirements vary and are based on specific student assignments. You may be asked to engage in any of the following: lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, stoop, reach, stand, kneel, squat, sit, walk, lift, pull, and grasp for extended periods of time.

Desert Choice Schools and Learn It Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates must be presently eligible to work in the United States.

This position is similar to the following positions at other companies: behavioral technician, behavior therapist, registered behavior technician, RBT, board certified autism therapist, BCAT, behavior treatment technician, ABA tutor, line therapist, and behavior interventionist.