Merlin Day Academy logo
Merlin Day Academy
Chicago, Illinois

Part-Time Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA/LBA) - Chicago

BCBANo weekendsNo nightsPart-Time

Listed compensation

$36-$41/hr

The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Part-Time Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA/LBA) - Therapeutic Day Program

3319 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL | Monday–Friday, Part-time Schedule - no evenings or weekends.

Hourly Rate & Benefits

Hourly Rate: $36-$41/hour

Paid Time Off and Paid Sick Leave

Growth and Learning: Continuing education and approved CEUs.

Mentorship and Supervision: Opportunities to mentor others within your department in addition to student supervision.

401(k) Retirement Plan: Available for all employees; company match $1 for $1 for first 3% and $.50 for $1 up to another 2%.

Free Onsite Parking

Apply today at threebirdsonemission.com/careers to join our mission of empowering children with neurodiverse needs to succeed!

About the Role

Merlin Day Academy is an intensive therapeutic day program providing education and therapeutic intervention in a supportive classroom environment for children ages 6-14 with autism, AHD, sensory processing disorder, and other neurodiverse needs. Our relationship-based, family-centered approach focuses on helping students build the skills that foster success in their community and beyond.

As a Part-Time BCBA at Merlin Day Academy, you will provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children and families in our clinic, clients' schools and homes. You'll work with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and other neurodiverse needs, supporting their cognitive, social, emotional, adaptive, and developmental growth.

Responsibilities

  • Provide caregiver coaching and support.
  • Conduct behavioral assessments.
  • Develop evidence-based individualized behavior intervention and treatment plans.
  • Supervise and mentoring RBTs and ABA students, if applicable.

Collaborate daily with occupational, physical, and speech therapists, social workers, educators, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.

Knowledge and Skills Required

  • Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Current BCBA certification in good standing with the BACB
  • Active Illinois Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) license through IDFPR

Experience providing behavior therapy services to children with autism and/or other neurodevelopmental differences

Working Environment and Physical Demands

  • Ability to lift at least 35 lbs, including but not limited to lifting children, therapy equipment etc.
  • Ability to walk and/or run if needed to keep clients safe.
  • Ability to implement behavior management techniques, based on training provided by the company.
  • Ability to use hands and arms to prepare and perform required therapy tasks.
  • Ability to utilize keyboard, desktop, and ipad to complete documentation required for funders.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Why Join Merlin Day Academy?

At Merlin Day Academy, we provide a supportive, team-oriented culture that allows you to focus on what you love - helping children and families. You'll make an impact by collaborating with a multidisciplinary team in a clinic that prioritizes innovation, evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and growth.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Merlin Day Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. As such, it is the policy of the Company that hiring, training, employment advancement, compensation, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment shall be determined without regard to race, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, arrest record (or criminal history record ordered expunged, sealed, or impounded), or as otherwise prohibited by law.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and possess an active BCBA certification and Illinois LBA license. Experience providing behavior therapy services to children with neurodevelopmental differences is required.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Behavioral AssessmentTreatment PlanningMultidisciplinary CollaborationAutism Spectrum Disorder SupportADHD SupportSensory Processing Disorder Support

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Part-Time Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA/LBA) - Chicago at Merlin Day Academy a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Applied Behavior Analysis — ranked against 2,462 active Applied Behavior Analysis listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Applied Behavior Analysis Career Context

Of the 40 active Applied Behavior Analysis listings this role was benchmarked against, 70% are remote, 25% have no call, 80% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$80k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $80k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Behavior Analyst Jobs

40 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution28 jobs · 22 employers

3
<$100k
0
$100k-110k
15
$110k-120k
9
$120k-130k
1
$135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks28 jobs · 22 employers

401k / retirement match
96% this job
CME allowance
89% this job
Sign-on bonus
75%
Loan repayment
46%
Relocation assistance
43%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

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$70-$80/hr
#2

BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)

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$67-$80/hr
#3

Per Diem Social Skills Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

$80.00 per hour
#4

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

$60-$75/hr
+ 38 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 5.7this job 6.4
Better work-life than 70% of Applied Behavior Analysis listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 2,462 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights

Living in Chicago

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$356k
Typical market rent
$2,342/mo
Residents’ average commute
33 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Merlin Day Academy logo

About Merlin Day Academy

Education
Chicago, Illinois
11-50 employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid Time Off
Paid Sick Leave
Continuing education and approved CEUs
Mentorship and supervision opportunities
401(k) Retirement Plan with company match
Free Onsite Parking