Behavior Specialist - School Based

Whether you’ve worked as a Behavior Technician, Behavioral Specialist, Behaviour Therapist, or Behavior Interventionist, the skills you use every day are exactly what SPED classrooms need. Building rapport, supporting individuals with complex needs, implementing behavior intervention plans, de-escalating challenging situations, and applying therapeutic or behavioral strategies are all highly transferable to school settings. These paraprofessional roles in SPED Classrooms are a natural next step if you want to continue making a real impact, with predictable school-day hours, a structured environment, weekly pay, and W-2 employment. You’ll support students with a range of special education needs, including mild, moderate, and severe needs, while using the experience you’ve already built in a new and meaningful setting. If you’re passionate about supporting students with special needs and want a role where your skills can make a daily difference, this could be your next step. At Zen Educate, our mission is simple: to support schools by connecting them with dedicated, high-quality education professionals. When you join Zen, you’re not just taking an assignment, you’re joining an educator-first platform that supports you every step of the way. We are actively hiring to support students with specialized academic, social, and physical needs As a Behavior Specialist in a school setting, you will play a crucial role in supporting students with special needs by assisting the classroom teacher. Your focus will be on implementing behavior management plans, redirecting challenging behaviors, facilitating social interactions, and providing one-on-one or small group assistance to help students meet their IEP goals within a structured learning environment. Utilize a variety of learning methods to enhance the student's learning experiences and support them as needed - Support students with elements of personal care (feeding, toileting, etc.) This role requires travel throughout Chicago city limits, so candidates must live in Chicago or within an easy local commute. - 1+ years experience working with children with special needs - Applicants must have professional proficiency in English - US Work Authorization - Zen Educate cannot provide sponsorship for an employment visa or relocation assistance at this time. Additional physical requirements may be requested during your application process Preferred Qualifications: - Crisis prevention (CPI) training - Pay: $27 per hour, paid weekly Schedule: Minimum two days throughout Monday to Friday, within hours of 7:30 am - 3:00/4:30 pm (no weekend work). Weekly pay by direct deposit, with paper check available on request - Professional development, including in-app training, paid role-specific certifications where applicable, and additional development opportunities depending on role and location - Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local law - Medical, dental, and vision insurance available when eligibility requirements are met, which includes working more than 1,560 hours in a 12 month period. - 401(k) retirement plan with no employer match available when eligibility requirements are met, which includes working more than 1,000 hours in a 12 month period or more than 500 hours/year in a 24 month period. Apply today and help every student reach their full potential