UCP of Greater Cleveland
Job Description
JOB TITLE: Behavioral Specialist (Trauma Informed Approach)
SUPERVISED BY: LeafBridge Alt. Ed. Administration and Curriculum Manager
POSITIONS SUPERVISING: None
EXEMPT POSITION:
BASIC FUNCTION: Under the supervision of the Administration and Curriculum Manager, the Behavioral Specialist will utilize a trauma informed approach to work collaboratively on a transdisciplinary team to identify behaviors that impact a student's ability to flourish in their education. Utilizing a strength, interests, and preferences profile, develop a plan alongside of PT/OT/SLP and IS to maximize a student's potential in an alternative education setting. The Behavior Specialist will assist school personnel and parents, when necessary, in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of students with behavioral difficulties from mild to significant, in the student’s educational setting, using mild to intensive behavioral management techniques, intervention strategies, coping skills, and problem-solving techniques. This individual also implements plans for instruction, monitors student behavior, collects and records data, documents activities and progress and performs a variety of other related instructional support duties as assigned. A high level of collaboration with the student’s special education team is required on an ongoing basis. The behavioral specialist will provide coverage for classrooms in the absence of teaching assistants and teachers.
QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in special education, psychology, child development, counseling/social work, PT/OT/SLP or other closely related field
• Proficient in State Laws and Regulations regarding education guidelines
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in computer applications including MS Office Suite, email, and internet
• Ability to lift a minimum of fifty (50) pounds.
• Possess a valid Ohio driver’s license with no more than two (2) moving violations and have reliable daily transportation.
• Experience with Severe and Multiple Disabilities
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in an education setting

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Uphold the Core Beliefs of the program.
• Investigate underlying causes of behaviors that impede a student's ability to progress in their individualized education. This includes disruptive behaviors and/or self/other injurious behaviors. Consider the student's language, motor skills, social skills, cognitive skills, self-awareness and sensory regulation. Collect feedback from education services team members.
• Thoroughly document the target behaviors, antecedents, setting events, frequency, duration, responses, consequences, and suspected reasoning utilizing standard electronic documentation system.
• Present findings of behavior assessment in a clear concise manner to internal staff, contracting school district personnel, and family members.
• Engage the education services team in conducting a behavior support plan, using feedback from IS, PT, OT, SLP, etc. to design a custom intervention plan that is respectful of the student, is based on the student’s strengths, interests, and preferences, and uses a trauma informed approach.
• Provide direct intervention services for students on behavior plans to assess effectiveness of interventions and to make modifications.
• Support the IEP team in the development of goals/objectives/baselines surrounding behavior support needs and suggest modifications/accommodations to support the student's learning needs.
• Obtain regular data, as identified in the IEP, at regular progress reporting periods and report on progress to districts and families.
• Provide bi-monthly training to education services staff members regarding evidence-based behavior interventions.
• Assists instructional personnel with the preparation and adaptation of learning materials and reinforcement strategies according to the student’s IEP.
• Support the onboarding and transition efforts for students in the alternative education program, quickly identifying any behaviors that interfere with a student's success and collaborating on plans of care.
• Work with the Independent Education Evaluation team to complete evaluations for students, as requested.
• Build strong relationships with teachers, related services, teaching assistants and administration. Support in developing Behavioral Improvement Plans with the transdisciplinary team.
• Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings with families, school districts, and team members.
• Assist the transdisciplinary team with Individualized Education Program (IEP) development and 3-year Evaluation Team Reports (ETR).
• Build relationships with community partners to create, coordinate and facilitate successful volunteer and career-focused learning and transition activities, opportunities, and exploration in the community.
• Provide coverage in the classroom when staff is unavailable/absent.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.