What are the responsibilities and job description for the Behavior Specialist position at Dripping Springs ISD?
Job Title: Behavior Specialist
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports to: Director of Special Services
Pay Grade: Admin/Prof - 4
Dept./School: Special Services
Work Calendar: 192 Days
Date Revised: 4.2.2025
PRIMARY PURPOSE
Provide support to parents, teachers, and administrators in the management of student behaviors.
Qualifications:
- Education/Certification: Bachelor’s degree in education with teaching certification, Master’s degree preferred.
- One of the following certifications preferred:
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst; or
- TEA Certified Educational Diagnostician; or
- Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Knowledge/experience in crisis prevention/intervention
- Understanding of emotional and developmental disorders of childhood
- Strong background/knowledge in applied behavior analysis
- Ability to interpret data from educational and psychological evaluations
- Understanding of federal and State Board of Education rules for education of students with disabilities
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work with other professionals in leadership as well as collaborative roles
- Ability to provide staff development training as well as training to parents
Experience:
Minimum of three years’ experience providing services to students with special needs
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
- Conduct formal (Functional Behavior Assessments) and/or informal evaluations of student behavior.
- Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary assessment team.
- Develop behavior plans and specific intervention plans for students and assist in their implementation, including designing and making materials.
- Conduct ongoing follow-up assessment/observation of progress on the behavior plans.
- Collaborate with educators to develop programming for students with special needs.
- Provide staff development training sessions.
- Provide support and training to parents.
- Assist families and school staff in accessing community resource services, when needed.
- Train teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals to implement specific behavior strategies and interventions.
- Conduct research of current behavior interventions with specific disabilities related to students served.
- Attend conferences, workshops, and behavior specialist meetings to learn current behavioral strategies.
- Develop curriculum for in-service training and collaborate with educators to develop in-service training sessions for teachers that serve students with special needs.
- Conduct regular Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA) trainings for educators throughout the district.
- Conduct in-home and parent training assessments and training for parents who qualify for those services.
Communication
- Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.
- Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
Other
- Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rules, and local board policy in the area special education services.
- Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
- Participate in professional and staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding student and coworker information and as required by FERPA.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None.
MENTAL DEMANDS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS / ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals, and other instructional equipment
Posture: Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may require occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities, control behavior through physical restraint, assist non-ambulatory students, and lift and move adaptive and other classroom equipment
Environment: Work inside; may work outside; regular exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards; frequent travel district-wide to multiple work locations, as assigned.
Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours.
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
Salary : $60,148 - $83,061
