Full-Time

Paraprofessional

Updated on 9/3/2026

Yai

Yai

51-200 employees

Special education school with integrated therapies

Compensation Overview

$16.50/hr

Manhattan, New York, NY, USA

In Person

Associate's

Category
Education (1)
Required Skills
Microsoft Office
CPR
First Aid

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Requirements
  • A high school diploma, General Educational Development credential, or equivalent is required.
  • The candidate must be well organized, have strong attention to detail, and be able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • The candidate must be able to work independently and maintain focus.
  • The candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs.
Responsibilities
  • Support the assigned student in achieving goals established by the student’s teacher and related services team.
  • Assist with implementing the student’s individualized education program under the direction of supervisors, teachers, instructors, and administrators, and support the behavior plan as directed by the behavior department.
  • Provide support inside and outside the classroom so the student can fully participate in school activities.
  • Provide support during the student’s daily therapy and related service sessions.
  • Support the student throughout academic instruction and assignments under the supervision of the student’s teacher.
  • Assist therapists with related service sessions, including transferring and positioning the student throughout the day.
  • Assist the student with self-care, including restroom use, basic hygiene, and feeding.
  • Follow policies and procedures relating to the care and safety of the assigned student and the student’s management needs.
  • Keep the student and the student’s supplies neat and clean throughout the day.
  • Ensure the student is fed appropriately and maintain the student’s safety at all times.
  • Perform other assigned duties.
Desired Qualifications
  • An associate degree or coursework in education is preferred.
  • One to three years of relevant healthcare, childcare, or school-based experience is preferred.
  • First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and automated external defibrillator certification is preferred.

Yai's Manhattan Star Academy (MSA) is a private, non-profit day school within the YAI Network that serves students aged 3 to 21 with developmental disabilities. It combines academics with therapies (occupational, physical, speech, counseling) in a Montessori-inspired, developmentally based curriculum, using small classes and sensory-friendly facilities with technology to track progress. The school includes a transition and vocational program to prepare students for life after graduation. Its differentiators are the integrated therapeutic model, a specialized environment for neuro-developmental needs, and a continuous education path from early years through post-secondary readiness.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$330K

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

2023

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • STAR supported six students in its first year, showing demand for transition services.
  • YAI expanded MSA’s Upper School, signaling ongoing enrollment and program investment.
  • Community internships and podcasts strengthen employability, communication, and family appeal.

What critics are saying

  • YAI warned 2026 Medicaid cuts and flat state budgets squeeze provider wages.
  • Ninety percent of disability providers reported staffing shortages in 2025, pressuring MSA staffing.
  • If Medicaid rates stay inadequate, YAI’s school and adult-services model strains financially.

What makes Yai unique

  • MSA serves ages 3-21 with integrated academics, therapies, and transition programming.
  • STAR launched in July 2025, adding person-centered vocational and community learning.
  • YAI’s Upper School at 150 Amsterdam Avenue expands capacity for older students.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

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