Program Aide

Gain rewarding experience with Desert Choice Schools—part of LEARN Academy!

As a Program Aide at Desert Choice Schools, you’ll have the exciting role of helping students with special needs develop academic, daily living, and self-help skills, social and emotional regulation, flexible thinking, language development, and motor development through a form of play-based therapy known as applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Working as a Program Aide requires some specific characteristics that we look for, including:

• A genuine desire to help make a difference in the lives of children with special needs.
• A steady supply of compassion, empathy, enthusiasm, kindness, goodwill, and reliability.
• A willingness to learn about a variety of disability categories, learning differences, and ABA.

Desert Choice Schools (DCS) is a state-approved private day school in Arizona, serving students from kindergarten through grade 12. We provide individually tailored services to students with special needs — including autism and emotional and learning disabilities.

DCS is a division of the LEARN Academy, a national leader in special education, academic intervention, and specialized behavioral services. We use a structured program implemented in environments that facilitate functional independence and academic and social success.

• Competitive compensation plan
• Comprehensive benefits and retirement plans
• Tuition assistance reimbursement (up to $2,000 per year)
• Referral bonuses

• Earn $17.50 per hour
• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree earn an additional $.50 per hour.
• This is a full-time, 10-month position with unpaid school breaks.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.
• 1-2 years’ experience working with children in a special needs educational setting.
• Ability to collaborate and receive feedback, mentoring, and direction from peers and supervisors.
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining a professional and clinical perspective, with the ability to not internalize or  personalize (e.g., emotionally) regarding certain student behaviors or mannerisms that occur.
• Demonstrated experience using physical ability and dexterity to safely and effectively use Crisis Management Interventions (including the use of therapeutic holds) of all involved (e.g., self, student, other employees).
• Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card or can obtain one.

• Using applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to provide direct instructional support to individuals and/or groups of students.
• Directly support students with daily living activities (including toileting, eating, etc.)
• Providing structured support in social-emotional, adaptive behavior, and social-skill development.
• Collecting data regarding student(s) progress towards their goals/objectives as directed by the teaching and clinical team.
• Reinforcing academic behaviors taught by certified staff and providing the student with opportunities to practice.
• Assisting students in community, recreational, school, and leisure activities under the direction of certified staff.
• Implementing district-approved techniques for verbal de-escalation and safe physical restraint. Training in specific therapeutic techniques provided by Desert Choice Schools.
• Performing other related duties as assigned and required by the building administration and certified staff.

Physical requirements vary and are based on specific student assignments. You may be asked to engage in any of the following: lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, stoop, reach, stand, kneel, squat, sit, walk, lift, pull, and grasp for extended periods of time.

Ready to make a difference in a student’s life? Apply today.

Desert Choice Schools and Learn It Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates must be presently eligible to work in the United States.

This position is similar to the following positions at other companies: behavioral technician, behavior therapist, registered behavior technician, RBT, board certified autism therapist, BCAT, behavior treatment technician, ABA tutor, line therapist, and behavior interventionist.