Behavior Support Technician- 5 positions (SY26/27)

About Rice Children's Center

Rice Children's Center is a student-centered learning environment that celebrates diversity and cultural humility. We define cultural humility as continuous learning that entails self-awareness and inquiry into one's own identity and biases, while actively seeking input from diverse perspectives. This requires an openness to different viewpoints, while addressing the power dynamics within a social structure. At Rice, students are encouraged to explore their creative potential, and achieve academic standards, using District 65 general education curriculums, intervention practices, and a comprehensive social emotional learning program. Our emphasis on collaboration and teamwork ensures that our culturally diverse students not only excel individually but also thrive in a collective learning environment. This includes the valued incorporation of all stakeholders.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Principal, the Behavior Support Technician (BST) provides behavioral, social-emotional, and co-regulation support to students with identified special education needs in a self-contained classroom. The BST supports students with intensive needs by providing behavioral interventions and crisis response services. This role also supervises students during non-classroom activities, monitors and documents behavior, shares information with appropriate school staff, and assists with data collection as needed.

Accountabilities

• Implements and monitors Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), safety plans, and restorative plans, providing intensive support to students with chronic behavioral or emotional challenges.
• Uses trauma-informed practices to support emotional regulation, conflict resolution, peer mediation, and student re-entry.
• Responds to calls for assistance and provides support across all school settings to regulate, relate to, and reason with students.
• Assists with de-escalation, crisis management, implementation of district-approved protocols, safety assessments, incident documentation, ensuring equity throughout all practices.
• Collaborates with the school's social-emotional team and educators to strengthen response protocols and procedures aligned with therapeutic practices.
• Participates in meetings, trainings, and professional development activities related to crisis intervention, emergency procedures, and other job responsibilities.
• Partners with administration to foster a positive school climate through PBIS, restorative practices, behavioral expectations, and student recognition programs.
• Promotes positive student engagement in various school settings, including hallways, restrooms, parking lots, loading zones, and during transitions, lunch, recess, arrival, and dismissal.
• Uses effective behavior management strategies and facilitates restorative conversations with students.
• Assists with student supervision, supports school safety procedures, and helps administration investigate incidents involving student misconduct or safety concerns.
• Supports teachers in implementing instructional, social-emotional, behavioral, and developmental activities aligned with student learning goals and Individualized Education Program (IEP) objectives.
• Maintains a safe, organized, and supportive learning environment, including preparing and maintaining classrooms, instructional materials, and equipment.
• Provides individual and small-group support to reinforce academic, behavioral, social, problem-solving, and daily living skills under the supervision of a certified teacher.
• Supervises students and supports classroom operations during the teacher's absence to ensure continuity of instruction and student safety.
• Administers first aid or provides medical assistance in emergency situations, as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Performs other duties as assigned in accordance with program, district, and grant requirements.

Essential Skills

• Knowledge of school safety procedures and the ability to support investigations involving student misconduct and safety concerns.
• Strong skills in behavior de-escalation, crisis prevention, crisis intervention, and behavior management.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive, trusting relationships with students experiencing significant behavioral and social-emotional challenges.
• Ability to facilitate restorative circles, conflict resolution, problem-solving conferences, and peer mediation.
• Ability to collect and analyze behavioral and attendance data to identify trends and implement targeted interventions.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and responsiveness, with the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and promote equitable outcomes for all students.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, families, teachers, administrators, and support staff.
• Ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and respond effectively in high-stress or crisis situations.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and upholding professional and ethical standards.

Learn more about Rice Center here: https://rice.district65.net/

Qualifications

Education Required: High School Diploma or GED required. Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Education, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field is preferred.

Position Qualifications:

• Demonstrated prior experience working with youth in educational, behavioral health, residential, mentoring, school security, or community-based settings
• Illinois Educator License with Stipulations (PARA), Substitute License, Professional Educator License (PEL), or other District-approved credential
• CPI, TCI, or equivalent crisis intervention certification required within 120 school days of start date; District-provided training is available
• First Aid certification preferred
• CPI, TCI, or equivalent crisis intervention certification preferred; District-provided training is available

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range (2026-2027 school year): $38,000-$42,500

Benefits Include:

• Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund pension plan (IMRF)
• Life insurance
• Long term disability
• Flexible benefits plan
• Pet Insurance
• 11 Sick days
• 2 Personal days
• Direct deposit
• Employee assistance program (EAP)