Behavioral Support Specialist

Description:

The Behavior Support Specialist (BSS) provides classroom and school-wide behavior management strategies to students. The BSS must have the knowledge and skills necessary to assist individuals, groups and systems through the application of positive behavior supports. The Behavior Specialist helps coordinate Functional Assessments of Behavior and Behavior Intervention Plans that address students' inappropriate behaviors, providing a means to help the students become more academically successful.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides instruction to emotionally and behaviorally challenged individuals or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the Discovery teacher and school social worker.
• Administers one to one intensive behavior intervention to students.
• Actively participates in behavior intervention meetings and professional development.
• Collects data and records anecdotal student progress notes and maintains behavioral charting data.
• Monitors and assists students in prescribed learning activities.
• Monitors, observes and reports behavior of students according to approved procedures, including progress regarding student performance and behavior.
• Assists students and parents by providing proper examples, emotional support and general guidance as directed.
• Communicates with teachers regarding programs and materials to meet student needs.
• Assists students in developing self-help and self-advocacy skills as directed
• Assists in implementing specialized student plans (IEP, BIP, Safe Behavior Plans, Safety Plans, etc.)
• Directs student group activities as assigned.
• Provides assistance with de-escalating student behaviors and reintegration back into the classroom
• Implements and monitors classroom management system as applicable
• Coordinates school, career and vocational based learning opportunities. 
• Coordinates community-based outings.
• Trains staff on de-escalation strategies and techniques.  
• Creates an environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Encourages students to set and maintain high standards of classroom behavior.
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and, in harmony with the goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units and projects and communicates these objectives to students.
• Employs a variety of instructional and behavioral techniques and instructional media consistent with the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups.
• Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and uses data to drive instructional decisions.
• Identifies the learning needs of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of district specialists as required.  
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation.
• Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct, and for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedures and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
• Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
• Works collaboratively with the Special Education Teachers, the BCBA and School Social Worker in the coordination of student services.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Attends meetings as required.

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s Degree or above
• Experience working with applicable age students who have emotional/behavioral challenges
• Experience working with students with special needs
• De-escalation experience
• Successful experience working in an educational, therapeutic setting as well as the classroom
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret textbooks, periodicals, professional journals.  
• Ability to write reports and correspondence.  
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, parents and colleagues.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as statistical inference.  
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Physical Demands:* 

• Must possess the ability to stand, sit, and walk unassisted and provide movement assistance to students as needed.
• Must possess the ability to lower self to a seated position on floors, and to move from a seated position on floor to standing position unassisted.
• Must possess normal visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, and depth perception.
• Must have the ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

*The physical demands of this position are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 

Work Environment: 

• Often work indoors, moving between classrooms and other school areas. 

• May work outdoors during physical education and recess. 

• May be exposed to noise levels that are distracting. 

• May be exposed to hitting, kicking, biting, and pushing by students in addition to objects thrown by students.

• Works near others, often within a few feet, 

• Work related tasks may be subject to deadlines and time constraints,

• May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 

Work Days: 

     ? 185 Days, 180 school days and 5 professional development days following the school            calendar.

Work Scheduled: 

      ? Based on hours of school operations 8:45 am to 3:45 pm. 

Compensation & Benefits: 

• EWPS offers an exceptional benefits package, including paid time off, participation in the Town of East Windsor sponsored retirement plan, and a percentage cost share for employee only premium health, vision and dental insurance plan

• 10 month salaried position based on experience, $37,000 to $39,000

Application Procedure:
Apply online

 

Salary : $37,000 - $39,000