Behavior Support Specialist

BEHAVIOR SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Reports to:                 Superintendent

Wage/Hour Status:    Exempt

Length of Contract:    200

Salary: $72,684- $84,444         

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Address the behavioral needs of students in the general education and special education classroom. Provide direct training and consultation to school staff ensuring the effective development and implementation of behavior interventions and the use of appropriate behavioral techniques. Provide professional guidance in applied behavior analysis, professional development and training opportunities to district and school staff, parents, and students. Serves on all campus’s behavior teams to guide MTSS and PBIS.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

Master’s Degree in School Psychology or licensed mental health professional

Certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) as verified through the Behavior

Analysis Certification Board or completion of Behavior Analyst Certification preferred.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Strong Mental Health background
• Understands Trauma Informed practices
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Knowledge of community systems including social services, education, mental health, child abuse/neglect, etc.
• Evidence-based practices in behavioral and instructional methods
• Capable of developing Functional Assessment of Behavior and the development of Behavior Intervention Plans
• Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills 
• Coaching and training adult learners
• Ability to present both large and small group presentations and instruction to adult learners
• Experience providing interventions in small groups with children
• Experience with diverse populations
• Experience with current technology relative to communication, data collection and analysis, and reporting

Experience:

Three years minimum experience working as a behavior or related field.  The superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable alternatives to the above qualifications.

EVALUATION:

Specialists employed by the district will be evaluated annually.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

• Demonstrate relentless commitment to academic achievement of all students.
• Foster collegiality and team building among staff; encourage their active involvement in the decision-making process.
• Communicate and promote expectation for high-level performance from staff and students; hold staff and students accountable for high performance; recognize excellence and achievement.
• Provide consultation and intervention regarding behavior management, effective education, and assessment of behavioral needs of students with disabilities.
• Possess the ability to conduct functional behavioral assessments and design, implement and monitor behavior intervention plans.
• Understand state and federal regulations relative to behavioral requirements and students with disabilities.
• Develop crisis intervention plans when needed.
• Serve as the liaison between outside providers, private psychiatrists, psychologists, and community agencies.
• Follow students in alternative placements; facilitate transition during referral and reintegration phases.
• Prepare written reports as needed by the district to outside psychiatric professionals/community agencies regarding behavioral concerns of identified special education students.
• Consult with school staff working with students with behavioral needs on behavior management techniques and information on specific student needs.
• Conduct professional development on training behavior management, progress monitoring, data collection techniques, social skills, or other targeted district needs.
• Familiarize self with most recent research/practice in applied behavior analysis.
• Provide social skill lessons and materials to teachers, student groups, or individual students as needed.
• Design, implement, and monitor behavior programs for students.
• Serves as an active member of school based behavior intervention teams and guides MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) and PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies). 
• Provide clinical supervision to school counselors including problem solving, crisis intervention, processing challenging and unique situations. 
• Serve as lead of the counselor PLC. 
• Write grants to further promote mental health and wellness programs. 
• Serve as liaison with the coop for school based mental health coaches.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the superintendent.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands:

Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and written); interpret policy, procedures, and data; coordinate district functions; maintain emotional control under stress; maintain a clear focus on customer service; ability to manage others in a non-coercive manner.

Physical Demands:

• Regular district-wide travel; occasional state-wide travel; ability to lift and carry 20 lbs.

• Ability to move around inside on hard surface and industrial carpeted surfaces, and to travel at a brisk walking pace relatively long inside distances, without needing to stop or rest.  (If applicable: Must be able to perform sustained CPR with the subject on the floor.)  
• Must have the ability to work for the duration of the daily contracted time period, and to be physically present and at assigned work, with only infrequent unexcused absences, during the contract year.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.

Salary : $72,684 - $84,444