Speech/Language Pathologist - 2027-2028 School Year

Job Title: Speech-Language Pathologist (School-Based)

Position Status: Full-time, 40 hours per week during school sessions

Location: Easterseals Learning Academy, 110 Fandel Road, Germantown Hills, IL 61548

School Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 3:30pm during the regular school year; 7:45am - 2:15pm during the summer sessions (20 days in June)

This position would be for the 2027-2028 school year with a tentative start date in August 2027

Why work at the Learning Academy at Easterseals Central Illinois?

About us: Our goal at Easterseals Learning Academy is to empower students to achieve peak academic performance, enhance social and emotional skills, develop effective communication, and gain functional life skills for community independence. We are an approved private school by the Illinois State Board of Education, serving students ages 5-21 with Autism, emotional disabilities, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments. School districts throughout the area contract with Easterseals to assist them in providing educational programs for children with autism and related intellectual disabilities. We provide an alternative school placement for these students and help them grow toward independence.

 What we offer:

• High Staff-to-Student Ratio: Our highly trained staff and evidence-based instructional strategies provide personalized support that meets each student’s unique needs.
• Fully Equipped Learning Environment: Classrooms and therapy rooms are designed to foster growth across all areas of learning and development
• Individualized Education: Our curriculum aligns with state learning standards, while our instructional programs and services emphasize individualized approaches that help students transition back to their schools and communities.

See the Impact:

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation for this position is expected to fall within the range of $60,000 – $70,000 annually. In addition, SLPs receive an additional summer stipend for any day worked in June. The final offer may be structured as either an hourly rate or a salary, depending on the role classification, and will consider several individualized factors, including relevant experience, scope and responsibilities of the role, qualifications and credentials, talent availability and specialization, and organizational needs. This range is subject to change in the future. 

Compensation is just one component of the total rewards package offered for this role. Easterseals Central Illinois offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our team members:

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Sick and Personal time
  • 10 Paid Holidays throughout the year
  • Event Days: Earn additional PTO hours if you volunteer with us
  • All time off is in addition to Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Easter/Spring Break, and Summer Break
• Comprehensive Group Health Insurance
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
  • Long-Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Coverage
  • Life Insurance: Both Employer Paid and Employee Paid options available
• 401(K) with employer match
• Professional Development & CEU Allowance
• Easterseals qualifies for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program

Position Objective: The Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at Easterseals Learning Academy provides specialized speech and language services to students in a therapeutic educational environment. This role is responsible for evaluating communication needs, developing and implementing individualized treatment plans, and supporting students in achieving functional communication outcomes. The SLP collaborates with multidisciplinary team members, families, and educators to ensure services are aligned with students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and educational goals.

Job Functions:

• Conduct comprehensive speech and language evaluations using standardized assessments and clinical observations; complete detailed evaluation reports.
• Reevaluate students every three years or more frequently as needed to inform IEP decisions.
• Develop individualized therapy goals aligned with IEP objectives; plan and deliver evidence-based interventions to address articulation, language, fluency, voice, pragmatics, and AAC needs.
• Provide direct therapy services in individual and group settings as indicated in the IEP.
• Monitor student progress through data collection and adjust intervention strategies as necessary; complete progress notes each quarter or as required.
• Participate in IEP meetings by presenting evaluation findings, proposing goals, and collaborating with the team on supports and accommodations.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of therapy sessions, data logs, and required compliance reporting.
• Support transitions to public school or alternative placements by providing input and documentation as needed.
• Communicate and coordinate with other service providers involved in the student’s care, as appropriate.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with state licensure, ASHA certification, and continuing education requirements.

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Prepare letters of medical necessity and supporting documents when required.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to Clinical Fellows, interns, or newly hired therapists as requested.
• Fulfill responsibilities related to contracts with school districts or partner agencies.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited program.
• Current Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), or eligibility to complete a Clinical Fellowship (CF) year.
• Illinois license in Speech-Language Pathology or eligibility to obtain licensure prior to start date.
• One year of experience providing speech-language therapy to pediatric or school-based populations, preferred.
• Experience supporting students with autism spectrum disorder, behavioral and emotional regulation needs, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, preferred.

Easterseals Central Illinois is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Easterseals is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, call 309.686.1177.