Title: CIBS RTO Coaching Specialist - Northern Illinois
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Special Education
Campus Location: Off Campus / Outside Central IL
Job Summary
ISU is seeking an RTO Coaching Specialist to deliver high-quality professional development and technical assistance to school districts across Illinois to support the appropriate, safe, and legally compliant use of restraint and time-out, while reducing instances of improper implementation.
This role serves as a regional point of contact, supporting educators and school teams in:
• Distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate use of RTO
• Implementing required procedures with fidelity
• Strengthening preventative and proactive systems that reduce the likelihood of crisis
The RTO Coaching Specialist works collaboratively with school entity personnel, project leadership, and ISBE partners to build school team capacity, support consistent implementation practices, and promote sustainable systems that prioritize safety, compliance, and student well-being.
Additional Information
The Center for Intensive Behavioral Supports (CIBS) is a statewide initiative led by Illinois State University in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). CIBS develops and delivers professional learning, coaching, and resources to support schools in reducing the improper use of restraint, time-out, and isolated time-out (RTO) while strengthening preventative, proactive approaches that promote student safety and well-being.
Across Illinois, restraint and time-out are intended to be used only as emergency safety interventions in situations involving imminent danger of serious physical harm. However, variability in training, systems, and implementation has resulted in inconsistent practices across school settings. In many cases, staff are expected to make rapid decisions during crisis situations without sufficient preparation or systems of support, increasing the likelihood of improper or non-compliant use.
Public Act 102-0339 established clear expectations for schools to reduce the use of restraint and time-out through improved training, oversight, and implementation of preventative practices. The law emphasizes equipping school personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to behavior using de-escalation, restorative practices, trauma-informed approaches, and effective behavior management strategies, while ensuring that restrictive interventions are used only when legally appropriate and necessary for safety.
Illinois Administrative Code 23 IAC 1.285 further defines the requirements for the use of restraint and time-out, including conditions for use, required procedures, staff training, documentation, and oversight. These regulations reinforce that RTO must be used only as a last-resort intervention, and that schools must prioritize less restrictive, preventative approaches.
Despite these expectations, many districts continue to face challenges in aligning practice with legal requirements, implementing consistent procedures, and building systems that reduce reliance on restrictive interventions. Improper use of RTO presents significant concerns related to student safety, compliance, and school climate.
CIBS addresses this need by providing training, technical assistance, and resources that help school teams understand and apply legal requirements, strengthen preventative systems, and improve consistency of implementation. This includes Regional Summits, scenario-based training, coaching, and targeted support aligned to district needs and corrective actions.
Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. Illinois State University does not authorize out-of-state work.
University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits , including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday / administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
Salary Rate / Pay Rate
$6,500 - $7,500 Monthly
Required Qualifications
1. Master's degree in Special Education, School Psychology, Behavior Analysis, Social Work, or a closely related field, conferred by an accredited institution.
2. Current professional licensure or certification in a behavior-related, mental health, or special education field (i.e., LBS1, BCBA, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or closely related credential supporting behavioral, social-emotional, or mental health services in school settings) 3. Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting students with behavioral or social-emotional needs in PK-12 educational settings.
4. Minimum of 5 years of documented experience providing embedded, classroom-based instructional coaching to educators, with an emphasis on implementation fidelity, behavior support practices, and adult learning.
5. Minimum of 4 years of documented professional experience demonstrating working knowledge and application of Illinois Administrative Code 23 IAC 1.285 and related state requirements governing the use of restraint, time-out, and isolated time-out (RTO), including experience supporting implementation, training, or compliance in school-based settings.
6. Demonstrated experience designing and delivering high-quality professional development, including active learning, application to practice, and evaluation of implementation.
7. Documented experience interpreting and applying legal, policy, and procedural guidance in school settings
8. Demonstrated experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including educators, administrators, and related service providers.
9. Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
10. Ability to travel regionally and work flexible hours as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Advanced certification in Trauma, Behavior Specialist, BCBA, or related field.
2. Experience supporting districts identified for corrective action, compliance monitoring, or state-level review
3. Experience designing, facilitating, and delivering professional learning specifically related to restraint, time-out, or crisis response practices
4. Familiarity with Illinois education systems, ISBE priorities, and statewide initiatives
5. Experience developing policy, guidance documents, or implementation tools related to behavioral supports
Work Hours
Typically, Monday-Friday 8am - 4:30pm. Some prolonged or irregular hours may be required, including regional day travel and occasional overnight travel required. Minimal weekend work may occur based on project needs.
Functional Expectations
Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis
Proposed Starting Date
September 2026
Required Applicant Documents
Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List
Transcripts
Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Special Instructions for Applicants
Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.
Contact Information for Applicants
Nikki Michalak
nakempe@ilstu.edu
Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
