Certified Special Education Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

Position: Certified Special Education Teacher (STAIRS)

Salary: $60,000 up to $63,000 annually depending on related experience

Schedule: Hours worked will be based on the 10-month school calendar

Location: Homestead area of Pittsburgh, Pa

JOB SUMMARY:

Plans and implements the effective instruction to assigned students by planning and preparing lesson plans, establishing a supportive learning environment, delivering instruction, assessing student progress, and providing guidance for support staff.

This position will support the STAIRS classroom at the Day Academy and serves students from 1st through 12th grade with autism and high support needs who are receiving treatment in TCV’s STAIRS Program, a specialized residential treatment program for children and adolescents with autism/IDD with severe challenging behaviors on the Devereux TCV campus in Homestead.

As a Special Education Teacher for the STAIRS classroom, you will work with other dedicated professionals from the Day Academy and STAIRS residential program who share your passion for helping children and adolescents with ASD/IDD learn and succeed.

Professional Skills

1. Instruction & Classroom Management
   Delivers engaging, differentiated instruction using evidence-based practices for students with autism. Prepares lesson plans, adapts teaching strategies, and monitors student progress.
2. Safety & Compliance
   Follows all policies related to safety, behavior management, and confidentiality. Applies autism-informed practices and approved crisis intervention techniques.
3. IEP Development & Progress Monitoring
   Develops and implements IEPs with measurable goals. Tracks progress regularly and completes required reports and documentation.
4. Behavior Support
   Uses approved therapeutic and behavior strategies. Ensures behavioral goals are implemented and monitored consistently with support staff.
5. Staff Leadership
   Provides direction, coaching, and feedback to classroom support staff. Delegates tasks and supports daily classroom operations.
6. Team Collaboration
   Meets regularly with staff to review student progress and plan instruction. Supports team goals and collaborates effectively.
7. Administrative Tasks
   Maintains accurate attendance and completes required documentation in a timely manner.
8. Family Communication
   Communicates regularly with families and school districts. Shares student progress and addresses concerns.
9. Professional Development
   Participates in trainings, meetings, and quality improvement activities. Pursues ongoing growth in autism education.
10. Professional Accountability
    Completes assigned responsibilities independently, meets deadlines, and maintains required certifications and standards.

What Devereux/TCV offers YOU:

• A working environment that is collaborative and with a multidisciplinary team approach.
• Tuition Assistance.
• Health, Vision, Dental Insurance (must work 30 hours a week to be eligible).
• 403 (b) retirement plan.
• Paid Training.
• Student Loan Assistance.

You deserve to work somewhere that gives back to you!

Interested in advancing your career?  Devereux is proud to offer ASCEND - the first career accelerator program exclusively designed to give behavioral healthcare workers - the career guidance, one-on-one coaching, skills and financial assistance you need to reach your full potential. This program includes tuition and student loan repayment! 

Responsibilities

Company Overview  

Devereux is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations, providing services, insight and leadership in the evolving field of behavioral healthcare. Founded in 1912, Devereux operates a comprehensive national network of clinical, therapeutic, educational and employment programs that positively impact the lives of 10,000+ children, adults – and their families – every year.    

Our Mission: Devereux changes lives – by unlocking and nurturing human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral or cognitive differences.    

With nearly 6,500 employees working in programs across the country, Devereux is a trusted partner for families, schools and communities, serving individuals in the areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, education and foster care. 

Our Culture, Our Expectations   

At Devereux, Servant Leadership is embedded throughout our culture and every aspect of our organizational framework. Our mission-driven, people-first mindset is at the heart of the compassionate and high-quality programming we provide – every day – for the individuals and families we serve, and other key stakeholders. Devereux offers challenging and exciting work, and our team environment creates an empowering, positive and rewarding atmosphere. To be successful at Devereux, you will: put the needs of others first, feel called to serve and called to lead. As a member of our team, you will be a significant part of our commitment to providing a welcoming and supportive work environment across all programs and services, and within all policies and employee practices.  

We believe a workplace rooted in inclusivity – offering a sense of belonging to all those who walk through our doors – is fundamental to delivering the highest quality healthcare services. Through open dialogue and the creation of brave spaces, we will engage in work that gives each of us a chance to change the world – one person, one family, one community at a time. 

What Devereux Offers You  

In addition to a competitive salary, Devereux provides a comprehensive health and welfare program to eligible full-time employees, family members and domestic partners. Eligible employees are eligible to start benefits after 30 days of employment. In addition, we offer;  

• Medical (including telemedicine via phone, web, app), dental, prescription drug, preventative care, and mental health services. 

• Student loan debt assistance, tuition reimbursement and continuing education assistance. 

• Generous time-off (start accruing 1st day), 403(b) retirement plan with matching benefit, and voluntary/employee paid supplemental life and accident coverage. 

• Employee assistance / work-life balance program. 

Visit to see why Devereux is a great place to work!

Devereux is a drug-free workplace, drug screening required. EOE

Qualifications

EDUCATION:  

• Bachelor’s degree and an active Special Education Instructional I or II Pennsylvania teacher certification.

EXPERIENCE:  

• Special Education Teacher with 5-7 years of special education experience and 3+ years of experience working with children with autism REQUIRED.
• Experience developing, leading, and monitoring IEPs with measurable goals across academic, behavioral, communication, and adaptive domains.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Significant amounts of walking, sitting, and standing. Some lifting and/or managing resistance required related to applying physical intervention techniques – upwards of 75-100 lbs. or more. Some repetitive wrist/hand movements, normal hearing and vision. Occasional use of computers and office equipment. Occasional driving of Devereux vehicles for business purposes.  Ability to meet 100% mastery of Safe and Positive Approaches (S&PA) techniques.

Devereux has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and maintains policies and procedures to systematically reduce the risk of abuse to occur in our organization. Devereux fosters a culture of reporting abuse, and will cooperate with the authorities to the fullest extent possible.

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