Therapeutic School Lead Paraprofessional

Heartspring; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

CPR CPI certification

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Heartspring in Wichita, KS is seeking a compassionate Lead Paraprofessional to support students with autism, IDD, and behavioral needs, while guiding classroom staff. You’ll model best practices and help create a structured, therapeutic learning environment.

You'll lead daily routines, coach teammates, and assist with onboarding and training. Collaborating with teachers, therapists, nurses, and families, you’ll document progress and uphold Heartspring's high standards of care and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting students with autism and developmental disabilities.
• Ability to lead, coach, and train peers.
• Strong communication with families and staff.
• Commitment to safety and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Support students in academics, communication, social skills, and ADLs.
• Lead classroom routines when the teacher is unavailable.
• Coach paraprofessionals and provide onboarding.
• Implement BIPs and crisis intervention as needed.
• Document progress and communicate with families.
• Ensure policy compliance and safety standards.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Classroom support

Communication

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

At Heartspring, our mission is to help children with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), behavioral Challenges, And Other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Reach Their fullest potential. We’re looking for a compassionate, dependable **Lead Paraprofessional** to support students while providing leadership and guidance to classroom staff. If you’re passionate about special education, enjoy mentoring others, and want to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families, we’d love to meet you.

Student Support

• Support students with autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral needs in the classroom.
• Assist with academics, communication, social skills, emotional regulation, life skills, and activities of daily living (ADLs) as needed.
• Encourage independence through positive behavior support and individualized instruction.
• Build trusting relationships that help students grow and succeed.

Classroom Leadership

• Help oversee daily classroom routines and maintain a structured therapeutic learning environment.
• Lead classroom operations when the teacher is unavailable.
• Coach, mentor, and support paraprofessionals and classroom staff.
• Assist with onboarding and training new team members.

Behavior & Safety

• Implement behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and positive behavior supports.
• Respond appropriately during behavioral escalations using approved crisis intervention techniques.
• Maintain a safe, supportive, and inclusive classroom for all students.

Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with teachers, therapists, nurses, and families to support student success.
• Document student progress, incidents, and observations accurately.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with staff and families.

Quality & Compliance

• Follow Heartspring policies and educational standards.
• Support quality assurance initiatives and maintain accurate documentation.
• Protect student confidentiality and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

What You’ll Bring

• Dependable, ethical, and accountable with a strong work ethic.
• Calm under pressure and able to make sound decisions during challenging situations.
• An effective communicator with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Passionate about providing exceptional service to students, families, and coworkers.
• A collaborative leader who enjoys coaching and supporting teammates.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Physical Requirements

• Lifting: Up to 30 lbs. frequently; 50 lbs. rarely
• Carrying: 10-15 lbs. frequently; 50 lbs. seldom
• Sitting/Standing/Walking: sit rarely; stand constantly; walk frequently
• Climbing: rarely
• Bending/Twisting/Kneeling/Reaching: frequently
• Reaching: frequently
• Pushing/Pulling: 10-15 lbs. occasionally; 50 lbs. rarely
• Dexterity: constant hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
• Stamina/Endurance: mild exertion frequently; heavy exertion occasionally
• Vision/Hearing: constant ability to see clearly and hear instructions or warnings
• Mind-Body Connection: frequent awareness of body positioning and task execution

Work Environment

• Environment Indoor and outdoor work environments
• Safety Compliance & PPE Requirements: Adherence to safety protocols and protective gear use constantly. Mandatory use of Heartspring standard PPE, with additional protective gear (e.g., gloves, helmets, arm guards, leg guards) provided as needed.
• Physical Interactions & Exposure Risks: Frequent exposure to physical interactions from clients, including slapping, hitting, punching, kicking, head-butting, and biting. Potential exposure to infectious diseases, parasites, bodily fluids, and blood-borne pathogens in a school and residential care setting.

Why Heartspring?

A meaningful career where you make a lasting impact every day. Collaborative, multidisciplinary teams dedicated to student success. Paid training, including CPR and CPI certification. Opportunities for professional growth and leadership d