Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) -- Pediatric ABA -- Lake Bluff, IL

Job Description

Job Description

Annual compensation : $82,000–$110,000, including bonuses · Job Type : Full-time · Work Setting : In-person, clinic · Location : Lake Bluff, IL

Let's be real: not all therapy companies are created equal. Some places give you a title and a caseload.

At North Shore Pediatric Therapy, you get something different: Caseloads sized so you can actually be present for your kids. An interdisciplinary team that shows up. The first words, the family meals, thriving in a classroom? Those are the result of structuring the work right.

We're the kind of company where:

• Flexible scheduling that's actually flexible. Full-time, part-time, reduced schedule — we work with what fits your life. Doctor's appointment? Don't take PTO, just work around it. No one here is missing their kid's school events, their own appointments, or a life outside of work.
• Caseloads are 6–8 kids. Supervision is 16–20%. Not a target. Not aspirational. The actual structure.
• You'll actually feel good wearing the swag, because it represents a place that values assent-based, neuroaffirming care and backs clinicians with real resources.
• Our centers practice true interdisciplinary care. BCBAs, SLPs, OTs, PTs, and mental health providers working side-by-side, often co-treating, so kids get support that reflects the whole picture of who they are.
• You won't just say "I'm a BCBA." You'll tell people you work at one of the few companies that refuses blanket hour recommendations. Our VP of Clinical Quality and Training, Liza Bodner, led the team that built the Gracent Care Calculator, a peer-reviewed clinical tool we developed, then made free for the entire field. Not defaults. Not guesswork. You don't have to advocate for good practice here. You just practice.
• What we hear from BCBAs who join us is the same whether they're a year in or fifteen: "This feels closer to the role I originally wanted." That's what happens when your clinical judgment is trusted, and the people around you have your back.
• Growth isn't a buzzword, it's a path. Many of our leaders, including Clinical Directors, started as BCBAs here first.

This is an opportunity to do the best work of your career: guiding dedicated RBTs, solving meaningful clinical challenges, and impacting the lives of families every single day.

Who will love this job:

• An RBT whisperer: You find joy in coaching, modeling, and seeing your RBTs gain confidence with every session.
• A reinforcement master: You don't just teach reinforcement, you live it—high-fives, goofy cheers, and genuine praise are your love language.
• A data detective: You get a thrill from seeing graphs climb, spotting trends in behavior, and using data to tell the story of progress.
• A behavior puzzle-solver: Whether it's a tricky tantrum, a stubborn skill, or a curveball day, you dive in with creativity and calm.
• A family translator: You can take ABA jargon and turn it into simple, supportive guidance that parents actually understand and appreciate.
• A little bit playful: You know therapy works best when it's fun, and you're not afraid to get on the floor, use silly voices, or celebrate tiny wins like they're championship moments.

What you'll actually be doing:

• Provide clinical oversight and supervision for your RBTs.
• Write and monitor individualized treatment plans grounded in assent-based, neuroaffirming care.
• Coach, mentor, and train RBTs so they grow into the clinicians you'd want for your own kid.
• Partner with families to set meaningful goals and celebrate progress.
• Collaborate in real time with SLPs, OTs, PTs, and mental health providers, not just attend the occasional meeting.
• Run your own assessments and intakes. Your assessment, your plan, your client.
• Keep documentation and treatment plans at high clinical standards.

What you'll work with:

• Standardized assessments — ABLLS-R, VB-MAPP, AFLS, PEAK, Vineland
• Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) built around the child, not templates
• Skill acquisition programming across communication, social, adaptive, and academic domains
• Parent and caregiver training as a core part of every plan
• Coordination with SLPs, OTs, PTs, and mental health providers as part of the same team

What you bring:

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), licensed in the state of Illinois, and in good standing.
• Strong communicator who is proactive and detail-oriented.
• Passion for serving children and families, especially those with autism and developmental needs.
• Ability to perform essential functions such as sitting, standing, bending, and occasionally lifting up to 45 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

What it pays. What it includes.

Competitive pay is the floor, not the ceiling.

• Medical, dental, and vision for you and your family.
• 25+ days off in your first year, which includes PTO and 7 paid holidays.
• 401(k) with company match.
• $500 annual Professional Development stipend and free in-house CEUs as a BACB ACE Provider.
• Bonus for clinicians who consistently exceed clinical targets. $50/hour for billable hours above 30/week, paid biweekly.
• A supportive environment where feedback fuels growth, creativity sparks ideas, and laughter is part of the job.

Pressure test us.

We know things like clinical autonomy, real work-life balance, manageable caseloads, and meaningful mentorship are the things you'll actually decide on. If anything in this post sounds too good, or doesn't match what you're hearing elsewhere, ask us in the interview. We're genuinely open to talking it through.

Want to see what working here actually looks like? Visit our careers page or hear directly from our team at BehaviorLive.

North Shore Pediatric Therapy is an equal opportunity employer. We believe diverse clinical teams build better programs for the diverse kids and families we serve. We hire, develop, and promote regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Total compensation includes base and eligible annual bonus.

Total compensation

$82,000—$110,000 USD