Nexus-Onarga Family Healing is located approximately 90 miles south of Chicago, only a few miles from I-57 on a historic site in Onarga, IL. Nexus-Onarga provides boys, ages 10 to 20, a structured, homelike environment where they can safely address their problematic sexual behaviors and their emotional and behavioral issues. Nexus-Onarga is part of Nexus Family Healing, a national nonprofit network of mental health agencies providing innovative, customized help for children and families struggling with emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues.

In a Teaching Assistant position, you would have the opportunity to work alongside a team of Educators at our onsite therapeutic Grand Prairie School. In this role, you would provide support to education faculty in areas of student learning in both the educational and residential settings to ensure resident supervision, safety and academic success.

Primary responsibilities:

 Provide educational assistance to clients within a classroom setting. Provide client supervision and mentorship. Ensure student resident safety and collaborate with co-workers to maintain an environment that is positive, respectful, clean, and safe. Attend staff meetings and training sessions as required by Nexus. Understand and support the Nexus philosophy and treatment modalities. Understand, upload and comply with all Nexus policy and procedures regarding student resident confidentiality.

Required Education and Licensure:

Must meet all criteria for an approved Paraprofessional Certification, or equivalent, as set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education  Minimum 21 years of age Valid driver’s license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements

Nice to Have:

Previous classroom support experience preferred

Work Schedule & Salary:

Monday-Friday 7a-3:30 pm This position supports a year-round school with paid break weeks & holidays off throughout the year Pay starts at $17.00 per hour 

Work Environment:

Must be able to assist staff in physical and non-physical interventions with residents. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100+ pounds with assistance. Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (2-4 hours). Must be able to twist, bend and stretch in a manner conducive to the execution of daily activities within a school.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. The job requires extended periods of sitting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Nexus’ Comprehensive Benefits Include: 

Multiple options for health insurance coverage No-cost life insurance Short/long-term disability insurance 401k match NEW – Talkspace Therapy Benefit for the whole family NEW – Hinge Health Benefit for the whole family NEW – Carrot Fertility Benefit Tuition assistance and training opportunities Advancement pathways and internal promotion And much more!

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

At Nexus Family Healing, our voices and actions will be focused on recognizing, affirming and respecting people of every race, ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender expression and faith.

Our ICARE Values:

Innovation: Leading the way and implementing creative, cutting-edge ideas and approaches Compassion: Listening, honoring differences, and showing respect, kindness, empathy care, and concern Agility: Exhibiting flexibility and adapting quickly Responsiveness: Being quick, positive, and accurate Excellence: Demonstrating quality results that surpass ordinary standards

APPLY TODAY TO BE CONTACTED BY OUR RECRUITING TEAM! When you work at Nexus, you have the opportunity to change lives — including your own!

Keywords:  "Paraprofessional" "Teaching Assistant" "Teacher Aide"