Openings as of 12/14/2025
Are you ready to make a real difference? If you're passionate about supporting students with special needs and want to be part of a school that values heart, collaboration, and innovation just as much as experience—The Phoenix Center might be your perfect match.
We're currently hiring Instructional Paraprofessionals who are energized by purpose, driven by community, and ready to help students thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
As featured on News12, USA Today, and in Autism Parenting Magazine, The Phoenix Center is a nationally recognized, New Jersey-based private, not-for-profit school serving students ages 5–21 with autism, multiple disabilities, and intellectual challenges. We offer customized, hands-on programs that integrate education and therapy and are rooted in compassion, creativity, and care.
What sets us apart?
A vibrant, award-winning culture grounded in the FISH! Philosophy—where staff are encouraged to be present, choose their attitude, make someone’s day, and play.
A deeply supportive environment with leadership that believes in professional growth, team-based problem-solving, and never leaving staff to “figure it out” alone.
A school community where 42% of our staff have stayed for 5+ years—a powerful testament to the connection, care, and culture we’ve built together.
As an Instructional Paraprofessional, you'll assist our special education teachers with skill-building and behavioral programming, both inside and outside of the classroom. Whether you're new to the field or have prior experience with ABA or special education, you'll find purpose and partnership here.
Visit our website or download our brochure to learn more about our programs, culture, and the life-changing work we do every day: thephoenixcenternj.org
Requirements:
Minimum of High School diploma (or equivalent); Associate’s degree preferred.
Experience working with individuals with autism or special needs preferred.
Benefits Overview
We provide extraordinary ongoing support and guidance from a supervisor, curriculum specialist, mentor, and BCBA perspective. You are never left to ‘’figure it out’’ on your own.
We offer health insurance from day one, a tuition reimbursement waiting period of only 6 months, enhanced FSA and dependent care FSA enrollment.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical/Prescription coverage with Horizon OMNIA (in network only)
Dental coverage with Delta Dental
Vision coverage with EyeMed
Health insurance may be waived with proof of existing coverage. Waiver rebate of $3,500 per year.
Employer Paid Life and long term disability coverage
EAP (Employee Assistance Plan)
Life Services Toolkit
Travel Assistance
Flexible Spending Accounts for unreimbursed medical expenses and dependent care expenses.
PAID TIME OFF
Sick days earned @1 per month (maximum of 11 per year). Rollover if not used.
Personal days @ 3 per year (prorated based on hire date).
One floating day per year.
RETIREMENT PLAN
403(b) plan managed by Empower Retirement
Employees can contribute immediately(pre-tax or Roth)
TPC contribution once per year after meeting plan qualifications
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
Eligible after 6 months of employment for a total of six college credits per year
The Phoenix Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Are you ready to make a real difference?
If you're passionate about supporting students with special needs and want to be part of a school that values heart, collaboration, and innovation just as much as experience—The Phoenix Center might be your perfect match.
We're currently hiring Special Education Teachers who are energized by purpose, driven by community, and ready to help students thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
A deeply supportive environment where leadership believes in team-based problem solving, professional growth, and ensuring that teachers are never left to “figure it out” alone.
As a Special Education Teacher, you’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team—including behaviorists, social workers, therapists, and paraprofessionals—to create individualized, developmentally appropriate lesson plans aligned with each student's IEP and the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). You'll play a key role in helping our students develop life-centered skills that prepare them for success far beyond the classroom.
Whether you bring years of experience or are new to the field and full of heart—you’ll find purpose, partnership, and possibility here.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Educational planning and implementing lessons based on student IEP's. Lessons should be developmentally appropriate, age-appropriate and must align with NJSLS (New Jersey Student Learning Standards).
Meeting and communicating with parents to report on educational progress at least two times a year. Daily email communication with families is also required.
Managing a team of paraprofessionals, which includes overseeing their daily classroom interactions, providing leadership as well as fostering a mutually respectful and engaging educational environment.
Meet with child study teams during the course of the year to help determine the child's IEP, and to report on student achievement.
Meeting with related service providers so that they may appropriately reinforce in class those goals and activities designed by these specialists.
Attend unit and Professional Learning Community Meetings (PLC).
Requirements
Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university with special education emphasis.
NJDOE Certification as Teacher of Students with Disabilities or Teacher of the Handicapped and K-5/K-6 Elementary or Middle School Certificate.
Experience with individuals with autism and multiple disabilities is a plus.
We offer health insurance from day one, a tuition reimbursement waiting period of only 6 months, enhanced FSA and dependent care FSA enrollment, and a $1000 signing bonus!
We’re seeking Part Time Bus Drivers to join our team and Make a Difference!
Be the first and last smile of their day.
At The Phoenix Center, we believe every role on our team makes a difference—and that includes the person behind the wheel. We’re looking for a Part-Time Bus Driver who’s not just a safe and reliable driver, but someone who understands the importance of consistency, compassion, and care in the lives of students with developmental disabilities.
As featured on News12, USA Today, and in Autism Parenting Magazine, The Phoenix Center is a private, not-for-profit school in Nutley, NJ serving students ages 5–21 with autism and multiple disabilities. We’re known for our hands-on programs, individualized support, and deep commitment to helping students prepare for life beyond the classroom.
As a bus driver, you’ll be an essential part of our community-based instruction (CBI) model, transporting students to job sites, life-skills programs, recreational outings, and more. Your presence is not only critical to their safety—it’s a meaningful part of their day.
If you believe in showing up with patience, purpose, and professionalism, we’d love to have you join our team.
Position Purpose:
To ensure the safe and timely transportation of students, staff, and others to and from community-based outings, job sites, and school-sponsored field trips.
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:45 AM – 2:30 PM
Essential Functions:
Safely operate a school bus along designated routes on scheduled school days, adhering to all timeframes and safety protocols.
Transport students, staff, and chaperones on field trips, vocational programs, and off-site instructional activities.
Conduct daily pre-trip inspections to ensure the bus is clean, fueled, and in safe working condition.
Confirm communication devices (e.g., radio or phone) are functioning properly before each trip.
Promptly report any mechanical issues, traffic violations, or accidents to the appropriate personnel.
Maintain accurate trip logs, mileage records, and any other required documentation.
Follow safety procedures to ensure no child is ever left unattended on the bus.
In the event of an emergency, execute evacuation procedures and provide appropriate support; complete written reports as needed.
Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities to maintain certification and enhance job performance.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong understanding of traffic laws, road signs, and school bus safety regulations.
Ability to perform vehicle inspections, refueling, and basic bus cleaning tasks.
Visual and auditory acuity within normal range (corrected if necessary).
Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational skills, time management, and problem-solving abilities.
Capacity to stay calm under pressure, especially in emergency situations.
Physical ability to move throughout the bus and assist students as needed.
Willingness to collaborate with staff and maintain professional relationships.
Certification / License:
Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class B with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements.
Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
High School Diploma or GED required.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are a plus.
Prior experience transporting children, especially in a school or educational setting, is preferred.
