Behavioral Specialist I

General Description:
Behavioral Specialists (6-12) provide comprehensive trauma-informed behavior intervention and support.  Specialists assist with developing and implementing prevention and intervention strategies for students exhibiting behavioral difficulties that impact social and academic progress, as well as support school-based teams on best practices for school-wide strategies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assesses and supports instructional and behavioral programs for students
• Provides professional learning and works collaboratively with teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff to demonstrate best practices, strategies, and techniques to enhance instruction for students with social, communication, behavioral, and learning challenges
• Collaborates with school-based staff to develop an understanding of a variety of methods to improve student behavior
• Completes functional behavioral assessments and develops behavioral intervention plans using evidenced-based practices
• Assists with the design, implementation, and follow-up of behavioral management programs for students to remediate behavioral and social problems
• Provides individual and group counseling to targeted students to include socialization activities
• Plans, coaches, and confers with classroom teachers concerning any behavioral, social, or personal problems affecting the students
• Develops and conducts in-service activities regarding techniques for remediation of behavioral, social, or personal problems of students
• Assists teachers with the development of safety plans; engages with families to plan for student success as needed
• Assists in developing and maintaining home-school relations in crises with students
• Assists with the development and maintenance of program evaluation procedures
• Engages in weekly data collection, recording, and analysis for effective planning
• Assists with case management and team problem-solving with other behavioral specialists, agency personnel, and other appropriate professionals regularly
• Demonstrates patience, respect, a receptive attitude towards students of varied age groups, and understanding of the specific situation; utilizes consulting skills to ensure implementation and maintenance of intervention plans
• Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by keeping current with the literature and new research findings
• Performs other related duties as assigned

 QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in special education, psychology, behavior disorders, social work, and/or counseling is preferred. Masters degree preferred
• Currently hold an active, or be eligible to hold, Virginia educator license with an endorsement in special education or school counseling is required, or currently hold an active, or be eligible to hold, a Virginia Pupil Personnel Services License with an endorsement in school social worker or school psychologist is preferred
• Minimum five years of successful clinical or classroom experience working with students with challenging behaviors required
• Knowledge of current trends and methodologies used to address the needs of children with behavioral challenges
• Extensive successful experience in analyzing, assessing behavior, developing, planning, and implementing behavioral interventions
• Experience in data collection, evaluation, development, and implementation of positive behavior intervention plans; knowledge of tiered intervention frameworks; knowledge of current accepted best practices utilized in the full continuum of placement options for students with behavioral challenges
• Knowledge of data tracking and collection, record management, and reporting methods
• Demonstrated understanding of differentiated instruction
• Develop and Lead professional learning activities for individual schools and/or division-wide initiatives
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Strong time management skills and ability to meet multiple deadlines; ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Bilingual/fluency in Spanish preferred

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access website at: www.rvaschools.net 

Please upload the following information with your application: a current resume, transcript, and license if applicable.

Three reference names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting, and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment.  EOE.

Salary : $58,674 - $109,165