Careers at Hope

Thank you for visiting our web site! Remember, job postings are updated frequently. Please check this site often to get up to date information on the wide variety of career opportunities that are available at Hope Institute for Children and Families.

There are three ways to apply for positions at The Hope Institute.

Each of these ways requires that an application be filled out completely. Please be sure to carefully complete all questions, or it cannot be processed.

Download the application (PDF | Word) . (Right-Click - Save target As)

Drop by and fill out an application between 9am - 4pm, Mon - Fri. Be sure to bring a valid driver's license.
Mail your completed application and a copy of your valid driver's license (and resume, if applicable) to:

The Hope Institute for Children and Families
C/O Human Resources, Application
15 East Hazel Dell Lane
Springfield, IL 62712
E-Mail your completed application (and resume, if applicable) to: HR@thehopeinstitute.us

Reminder: If you submit your application by one of the above methods, you will still be required to come in and fill out a background check authorization form and submit a copy of a valid driver's license before your application can be fully processed.

Current Openings

Dentist
Habilitation Specialist
Licensed Practical Nurse
Nurse Practioner
Physical Therapist/Physical Therapy Assistant
Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychology
Residential Services Supervisor
Special Education Teachers
Substitute Teacher

Dentist

The Hope School is seeking a full-time Dentist to provide dental care and treatment plans at The Hope School campus for the youth we serve. The successful candidate must be licensed to practice dentistry and oral surgery in the state of Illinois with privileges at local hospitals, and have at least 2 years of experience.

Habilitation Specialist

The Habilitation Specialist is responsible for assisting youth with a wide variety of daily living tasks. A typical day might include getting the children dressed and ready for school, changing and toileting students, assisting in the classroom, and going on field trips.

While challenging, this position is also filled with many rewards.

If you are up for the challenge and ready to reap the rewards, please contact us!

To qualify for these positions, you must be at least 21 years of age, with a high school diploma or equivalency, and possess a valid IL driver’s license. Previous experience caring for individuals with disabilities a PLUS!

Qualified candidates will be required to complete a reading comprehension test, drug screening and criminal background check.

The potential to move up and great benefits!

Current starting wage: $9.10 - $9.70

Upon Hire:

Holiday Pay – 10 days per year
Sick Pay – 10 days per year
Personal Days – 3 days per year
Employee Assistance Program

After 3 Months:

Health/Disability Insurance

After 6 Months:

2 Weeks Paid Vacation
Life Insurance

After 1 Year:

401k Program
Education Assistance Program
3 Weeks Paid Vacation after 3 years
4 Weeks Paid Vacation after 8 years

Ready to join the team? See the instructions at the top of the page for details.

Licensed Practical Nurse

(Day/Evening Float)
Opportunity for dynamic person to provide health services to children with disabilities in our residential, community home and educational facilities. The successful candidate must be a graduate of an accredited school of Practical Nursing and will have a current nursing license in the State of Illinois and a valid Illinois driver’s license with the ability to qualify as a DCFS driver. We offer a competitive compensation and benefit package and the chance to take part in the growth and success of The Hope School.

Nurse Practitioner

The Hope School is seeking a full-time Nurse Practitioner who provides nursing and medical services to the youth at The Hope School. At minimum, the successful candidate must be an advanced practice nurse, licensed in the State of Illinois, eligible for controlled substance licensure by the State of Illinois and Drug Enforcement Agency, certified as a Nurse Practitioner by a national accrediting nursing organization and have five years of experience in the health care of children. Experience with health care needs of children with developmental disabilities preferred.

Our Nurse Practitioner is a primary health care provider who provides nursing and medical services to the youth in the residential and community programs in collaboration with the Medical Director and other attending physicians. In addition to diagnosing and managing acute episodic and chronic illnesses, the Nurse Practitioner will emphasize health promotion and disease prevention as well as maintain collaborative agreements with both the Medical Director and other attending physicians for The Hope School.

If you would like to become part of a multidisciplinary team focused on enabling youth and their families to discover their fullest potential please submit your resume and accreditations to:

The Hope School
Attn: Human Resources
15 East Hazel Dell Lane
Springfield, IL 62712

(217) 585-5437
E.O.E. m/f/h/v

Physical Therapist/Physical Therapy Assistant

Both positions will promote the physical, social, behavioral emotional and skill development of the youth we serve to help them reach their fullest potential! State licensure, valid Illinois driver's license, successful background clearance, physical and drug screen required. Salary competitive and commensurate with education and experience.

Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychology

Position Purpose: The Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychology is employed as a professional staff member of the Behavioral Health Services department. The Postdoctoral Fellow’s role is that of entry-level psychologist, completing the remaining supervised experience necessary before sitting for licensure as a psychologist. The Postdoctoral Fellow’s functions include providing services and support through the Behavioral Health Services department to:

The Hope School Learning Center;
The Hope Center for Residential Services;
The Hope Center for Health, Wellness & Prevention; and
The Hope Center for Adult Services;
Participation in the Hope Institute Behavioral Health Training Program, providing clinical supervision to pre-doctoral psychology interns;
Participation in the Hope Institute Applied Research Group.

Qualifications:

Ph.D. or Psy.D. from an APA-accredited program in clinical, counseling or school psychology.
Completion of a clinical pre-doctoral internship. An APA-accredited internship is preferred.
Professional plans to obtain licensure as a clinical psychologist in the State of Illinois upon completion of Postdoctoral Fellowship year.
Specialized knowledge and experience in one or more of the following: Applied Behavior Analysis; Developmental Disabilities; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Mental Retardation. Knowledge of psychopharmacology helpful.
Experience in administration and interpretation of psychological evaluations, including I.Q., adaptive functioning, and clinical syndromes.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a professional manner with all levels of employees. Ability to interact effectively on a multidisciplinary team.
Successful background clearance, physical and drub/alcohol screening

Essential Functions:

Psychological Evaluation: Includes I.Q., assessment of adaptive behavior, screening for signs of mental illness, mental status exam, observations, initial functional analysis, DSM-IV diagnosis, and recommendations for service. To be completed on all incoming youth and others as necessary.
Functional Analysis: Carried out at one of three levels, Level I (“Informal,” where motivation for exhibiting maladaptive behaviors is identified by analysis of information obtained from caregivers through interviews and questionnaires); Level II (“Descriptive,” based upon actual observations of the individual at various times of day and repeated observations across time); and Level III (“Analogue,” based upon actual presentation of antecedent stimuli and response consequences). To be completed informally on all incoming youth and others as necessary, whenever a specific intervention program is appropriate and a diagnostic data base is necessary.
Design of Data Collection Systems: Design of data collection forms, data analysis procedures, and procedures for tracking progress via graphic representation of data.
Design of Behavior Support Plans: May be formal (required for any youth with a Level II intervention, including use of psychotropic medications) or informal, which may take the form of general behavior support strategies or a detailed set of procedures outlining a positive intervention.
Positive Interventions for Teaching Adaptive Behaviors: Components include task analysis, identification of reinforcers, appropriate task prompts, schedule(s) of reinforcement, procedures for generalization of learned skills, and design of an appropriate data collection system. a. Design of Response Reduction Interventions: Components include identification of intervention procedures that are the least intrusive techniques that will reduce the display of the targeted behavior. Must be based upon adequate functional analysis, an appropriate data collection system, concurrent implementation of positive interventions to develop replacement behaviors, and demonstration of necessary skills by staff who receive training.
Hope Institute Behavioral Health Training Program: Provide clinical oversight and supervision to pre-doctoral school psychology interns.
Hope Institute Applied Research Group: Participate in monthly meetings of Hope Institute Applied Research Group. The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to produce at least one peer reviewed product during the training year – publication or paper presentation at a national conference that is based upon research being conducted at the Hope Institute.

Other Responsibilities:

Work closely with Educational Staff at The Hope School Learning Center, and in community schools as needed, to ensure training in and implementation of necessary behavior support strategies in the classroom. This may involve youth observations, staff training, and consultation.
Attendance and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings, including IEPs, admission screenings and staffings, and the Behavior Intervention Committee. Review client progress, share assessment results, and/or make recommendations regarding intervention/treatment techniques.
Establish personal goals for professional growth; participate actively in problem-solving; provide solution-oriented and proactive recommendations; maintain effective and respectful interactions; communicate clearly and effectively; practice in accord with APA ethical standards.
Maintains compliance with all applicable DCFS and DHS regulations and licensure requirements.
Assumes responsibility as a mandated reporter of incidents of purported abuse/neglect of students as outlined in the agency’s policies and procedures.
Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Residential Services Supervisor

If you have strong leadership skills and the desire to make a difference in the lives of children with special challenges, The Hope School invites you to be considered for one of our leadership opportunities as a Residential Services Supervisor.

The Hope School, a private, non-profit residential school for children with developmental disabilities, is seeking individuals with previous supervisory experience to provide management and oversight to our residential homes. Duties involve training and developing staff to ensure that all program and behavioral plans are carried out and overall management of staff including their schedules and daily duties.

Qualified candidates will possess a minimum of an Associate’s degree or 60 semester hours in a human service or related field and a valid Illinois driver’s license with the ability to qualify as a DCFS driver. Excellent communication and organizational skills, and the ability to quickly adapt to a flexible environment required. Previous supervisory experience strongly desired.

The Hope School offers a competitive salary and benefit package as well as the opportunity to encourage and enhance an environment that promotes independent living for the youth we serve.

Special Education Teachers

The Hope School, a private, non-profit residential school for children with developmental disabilities, is seeking individuals with special education credentials to embark on an exciting school year with our youth. While promoting an environment that fosters learning, growth and interactive development, this school year brings many new opportunities for our youth with the opening of a new, “state of the art” classroom facility.

Qualified candidates will possess one of the following certificates, an Illinois LBS1, limited or unlimited. Candidates with excellent communication, organizational skills; and ability to adapt to a flexible environment strongly preferred, as well as knowledge of positive technology devices.

The Hope School offers a competitive salary and benefit package as well as the opportunity of advancing the education of students with special challenges.

Substitute Teacher

Are you committed to excellence? Would you like to help open the doors of opportunity for children with special needs? Would you like to put your professionalism to work in a new, state-of the art educational facility?

The Hope School, a private, non-profit residential school for children with developmental disabilities, is seeking individuals interested in working on a part-time basis to assist in our Education Department providing classroom direction for our youth. Educational services are provided year-round.

Classrooms are located in the new Learning Center. The Learning Center also includes a life skills/vocational center, complete resource room for students and staff, sensory rooms, and training facilities.

If you are up for the challenge and ready to reap the rewards, please contact The Hope School.
Hourly rate $17

To qualify as a Substitute Teacher, candidates need to possess:

a Bachelor's degree
an Illinois Substitute Teaching Certificate
be at least 21 years of age
Education majors strongly preferred