Behavior Specialist – Backpack Program

Job Summary:

The job of Behavior Specialist was established for the purpose/s of effecting positive behavioral change in students; providing supportive interventions to families and/or students; and complying with Federal, State, county and District policies, regulations and/or procedures.

Essential Functions:

• Acts as liaison with the public and mental health community for the purpose of supporting individual student development goals.
• Administers programs and services for behaviorally or emotionally disturbed students for the purpose of improved functioning and ensuring program eligibility and compliance with established guidelines. 
• Assists in developing interventions and behavior plans for the purpose of providing a safe and effective educational environment for students with challenging behaviors.
• Maintains frequent communication with school personnel, treatment providers, and Laraway staff.
• Meets regularly with PBIS school team and/or school behavior team to discuss data/feedback.
• Complete observational data as trained and directed by behavior consultant.
• Assist supervisory staff, when requested, with orientation of new staff to Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior support models.
• Attend and participate in treatment team and educational meetings for all clients. 
• Support Behavior Interventionists in the school setting in critical incident and crisis situations until Tier 3 support is available. 
• Conducts workshops, training, in-service presentations, etc. in classroom management techniques and other topics for the purpose of developing skills and establishing effective relationships with behaviorally or emotionally disturbed students.
• Coordinates handling of child abuse and neglect cases through contact with school staff and outside agency personnel for the purpose of complying with mandated requirements.
• Participates in a variety of meetings, workshops and committees for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions and remaining knowledgeable with program guidelines.

Job Skill Requirements:

• Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include effective listening; meeting facilitation; monitoring activities; planning; problem solving; record keeping; training; and office practices.
• Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include age appropriate activities/behaviors; codes/laws/rules/regulations/policies; community resources; English grammar/punctuation/ spelling/vocabulary; and treatment modalities and assessment.
• The ability to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment.
• Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment.
• Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adaptability/flexibility; communication with persons of diverse backgrounds/knowledge/skills; confidentiality; decision making; detail oriented; leadership and direction; meeting schedules/deadlines; organizing; and teamwork.
• Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; and operating within a defined budget. Utilization of some resources from other work areas is often required to perform the job’s functions.

Qualifications and Education Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field with a least one year of experience working with similar populations and/or in a public school setting. Completion of ABA Level 1 course or enrolled/scheduled to enroll within agreed upon period of time.
• Safe driving record with access to safe, reliable, registered, and insured transportation.
• Ability to successfully clear required background checks. 

Work/Physical Requirements: 

• Given the at-risk population served, the position requires ongoing training and preparedness in the execution of physical restraint techniques. This may require running to catch a child. The “Handle with Care” training program used articulates that individuals with back and neck limitations are likely to be hampered in the execution of the protocols and greatly increases risk to harm to self or student.