Academic Support Specialist

Position: Academic Support Specialist | Paraprofessional

Location: Woodridge Interventions | 2221 64th St. | Woodridge, IL 60517

Salary: $20.00 per hour

Job Type: Full-time

196 day per year working position/8 hour days M-F.

About Us:

Located on the campus of Woodridge Interventions in Woodridge, Illinois, Meridian North is an ISBE-approved non-public special education and alternative education program designed to support students who have not been successful in traditional school settings.

Meridian North provides a structured, supportive, and therapeutic learning environment for students who may be experiencing behavioral challenges, risk of expulsion, substance use concerns, court involvement, probation involvement, or other barriers impacting their educational progress.

Our program focuses on four core areas of service: academic instruction, behavioral support, social-emotional development, and reintegration/transition planning. Through individualized education planning, daily structure, behavioral accountability, and coordinated therapeutic support, Meridian North works to help students stabilize, make academic progress, and develop the skills needed to successfully transition back to their district or next appropriate placement.

As a dual diagnosis program, Meridian North is designed to address both educational and behavioral health needs, including substance use concerns, while maintaining a strong focus on safety, accountability, and student growth.

Benefits & Perks:

We provide a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that offers the protection, peace of mind and flexibility designed to support you – both at home and at work.

• Medical & Dental & Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Basic Life & Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k)
• Life Assistance Program (LAP)
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (PTO) * Paid Holidays * Paid Training
• Advancement Opportunities

Academic Support Specialist | Job Responsibilities:

• Provide a full range of educational, recreational and therapeutic services directed toward the education and well-being of students
• Substitute teaching as needed for other classroom-based academic classes such as Science, Mathematics, English, and Social Sciences
• Participate and supervise students throughout their daily activities
• Provide leadership and serve as a role-model for students in their academic activities
• Provide safety and care to our students throughout the school day
• Report significant changes in behavior, attitude or physical condition to supervisors and social workers
• Interact with educational and therapeutic staff to ensure overall goals are accomplished
• Participate in staff meetings regarding students and daily events
• Provide individualized one-on-one academic assistance in a variety of subjects for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) in order to achieve a level of performance and comprehension that is in line with IEP goals and expectations
• Assist in planning, organizing and facilitating in-school activities/events as well a off-campus field trips
• Work alongside the social workers on the transition team to encourage and facilitate involvement in outside educational, transitional, and work-based programs
• Provide supervision and transportation to/from other various activities, organized sports, and after school programs that our students participate in
• Serve as the instructor for online learning classes of multiple subjects such as Consumer Education, History, Algebra, Geometry, Cosmetology, Theatre, English, etc. This also entails:
• Taking attendance
• Keeping track of and reporting student grades
• Providing further instruction and/or assistance with unfamiliar topics
• Monitoring the progress and activity of each individual student

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year college/university.
• Paraprofessional license with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) or willingness to obtain - Substitute teaching license with ISBE or willingness to obtain.
• Ability to work with computers and the necessary software typically used by the department.

Other Qualifications:

• At least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Criminal clearances (State Police, Local, FBI, DCFS and National Sex Offender Registry clearances).
• Non-communicable diseases physical exam.
• Valid driver's license.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening.
• Successful completion of orientation training.
• Must pass both federal and state background checks which screen for crimes including, but not limited to drug related crimes, violent crimes, sexual abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, and repeated misdemeanors.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and use legs to lift/move up to 50 lbs. or more.

Ability to participate in and supervise therapeutic recreation activities structured for children and adolescents.

May be required to intervene with and/or physically manage aggressive clients as trained by the Crisis Prevention Institute.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The staff must work both alone and closely with others and may be subject to verbal and/or physical confrontation initiated by the students.

While performing the duties of the job, the staff is occasionally exposed to outside weather.

The noise level in the work place is usually moderate.

Why Should You Consider Abraxas?

• At Abraxas, we celebrate the richness of our diverse employees and the communities we serve. We are actively committed to building a culture of awareness and belonging, as we strive to ensure we are a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally competent organization.

• As we work to make a difference in people’s lives, we are dedicated to respect, equity, and the engagement of those we serve and our employees.

• As a provider of trauma-informed care, we firmly believe in recovery and that our clients can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to assist them in their journey.

• Whether you’re looking to begin a rewarding career or you’re a seasoned professional wanting a new challenge, we have a place for you and opportunities for development at all levels.

• At Abraxas, everything we do centers around people. That is why we are committed to providing you with competitive pay and comprehensive benefit options that help make your life easier and healthier, with a focus on providing choice when it comes to physical, emotional and financial wellness. Our benefit options meet you where you are in your life and set you up for success both in and outside of work.

• If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of others, come join us!

Abraxas Youth & Family Services, an affiliate of Apis Services Inc., offers a rewarding career for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. Abraxas is a great place to start your career whether you have a high school diploma or GED, military experience, some college, or a bachelor or advanced degree. If you are interested in counseling, juvenile justice, psychology, social work, teaching or just want to make a difference, we have a career path for you.

We are Hiring and We Want You on Our Team!

Thank you for your interest in a rewarding career at Abraxas Youth & Family Services. We hope you consider applying for employment with us!

About Company

Apis Services, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Inperium, Inc.) provides a progressive platform for delivering Shared Services to Inperium and its Constellation of affiliate companies. Allowing these entities to advance their mission and vision. By exploring geographical program expansion and focusing on quality outcome measures to create cost savings that result in reinvestment into the organizations, stakeholders through capacity creation and employee compensation betterment.

Inperium Inc., Apis Services, Inc. and affiliates provide equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment in compliance with all federal and all applicable state and local laws and regulations, including nondiscrimination in hiring and employment. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy/childbirth, veteran status or any other basis protected by law. This policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunities extends to every phase and aspect of hiring and employment