Special Education Assistant

Nexus Family Healing is hiring a Special Education Assistant for our Onarga and Manteno, IL school locations!

Grand Prairie School is our on-campus, private school that serves youth receiving treatment at Nexus Family Healing in Onarga, IL. Considered an integral component of the treatment process, Grand Prairie School is equipped to provide middle school through high school academic services, as well as special educational instruction, including therapy and behavioral intervention/support.

Safe Harbor School is our on-site, non-public school that serves youth receiving treatment at Nexus Family Healing in Manteno, IL, as well as local students who have been unsuccessful in achieving their academic potential in their current school districts. Our curriculum is tailored to each student's needs and grade level and we also provide a special-education curriculum that's delivered through a highly structured, year-round school calendar.

At Nexus Family Healing, we embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion. As a national mental health organization, we serve a diverse group of youth and families, and we strive for our workforce to support and represent that diversity.

Schedule, Location & Pay:

• This is a full-time, on-site position with travel between our Manteno, IL and Onarga, IL schools
• Pay range: $21-23 per hour
• Monday-Friday, day shift

Nexus' Comprehensive Benefits Include:

• Four weeks paid time off (PTO) in the first year of employment
• Floating Holidays!
• 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, discounts, and professional training opportunities
• Advancement pathways and internal promotion
• Internships opportunities
• And much more!

Position Summary: Under the direction of the Principal and the Special Education Coordinator, our Special Education Assistant is responsible for the collaborative facilitation of the Individualized Education Plan process at the point of entry, education service delivery, and student discharge. This role will also maintain confidential, compliant, and organized student records while supporting the school in a variety of administrative functions.

• Provide reception and administrative support for the school and agency.
• Answer and route special education inquiries professionally.
• Greet visitors and ensure sign-in procedures are followed.
• Assist with front office tasks as needed.

Student Support & Records:

• Create and maintain accurate student records within required timelines.
• Process record requests and ensure confidentiality.
• Audit files regularly for compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• Support transitions for students moving to public schools.

IEP & Testing Coordination:

• Assist with IEP development and maintain compliance protocols.
• Support state testing administration and related documentation.
• Monitor service logs and ensure alignment with IEP requirements.

Meetings & Training:

• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and student clinical staffing sessions.
• Take and distribute meeting minutes as needed.
• Provide training and support for special education processes.

Additional Duties:

• Prepare billing reports and reconcile service logs.
• Generate reports in school systems and assist with data entry.
• Support leadership during state monitoring visits.
• Staying up to date on state requirements such as: standardized tests

Required Education and Licensure:

• High School Diploma or GED with 30 hours of College credits
• Previous experience in the special educational field and maintaining educational records.
• Microsoft Office product experience: Word and Excel specific experience required
• Comprehension of the needs and demands of an educational setting.
• Valid driver's license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Understanding of special education services preferred.

At Nexus Family Healing, our voices and actions are 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!