What are the responsibilities and job description for the Behavior Specialist position at Deep Roots Charter School?
Summary
The Behavior Specialist supports a joyful, structured, and purposeful school culture where all students, regardless of ability or background, feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to succeed. The Behavior Specialist works closely with students, teachers, school leaders, and families to promote positive student behavior, strengthen social-emotional development, and ensure all students have access to a safe and supportive learning environment.
The Behavior Specialist plays a key role in implementing the school's vision for equity and excellence by proactively supporting student behavior, providing targeted interventions, and helping staff develop effective classroom management and behavior support practices. The Behavior Specialist reports to the Assistant Principal of Culture and collaborates with the school team to create a positive and adaptive learning environment.
About Deep Roots
Where students discover joy, belonging, and purpose
Authentic Relationships
At Deep Roots Charter School, we take the time to know our students and their families – their backgrounds, purpose, and passion – and provide a variety of experiences from leadership to mentoring, to social-emotional learning and multiple clubs within the school day.
Personalized Learning
Every child receives individualized attention tailored to their unique learning needs and strengths. Deep Roots maximizes various learning styles and prioritizes individual student support.
Our Core Values
Practice: Each and every individual in our school community, from students to leadership, will engage in deliberate practice, and value this as the path to excellence.
Service: Our service-learning model will be discipline based; it will require students to have a presence in the community, and reflect on their experiences regularly.
Purpose: We want to empower our students to uncover their unique gifts and talents, and apply them towards an outward purpose about which they are passionate.
Antiracist & Inclusive
We stand as an actively anti-racist organization, dedicated to supporting all students and families. We advocate for our communities and strive to dismantle barriers within and beyond our school walls.
Responsibilities & Duties
Support Student Behavior and Social-Emotional Growth:
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19134
Job Type: Full-Time
The Behavior Specialist supports a joyful, structured, and purposeful school culture where all students, regardless of ability or background, feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to succeed. The Behavior Specialist works closely with students, teachers, school leaders, and families to promote positive student behavior, strengthen social-emotional development, and ensure all students have access to a safe and supportive learning environment.
The Behavior Specialist plays a key role in implementing the school's vision for equity and excellence by proactively supporting student behavior, providing targeted interventions, and helping staff develop effective classroom management and behavior support practices. The Behavior Specialist reports to the Assistant Principal of Culture and collaborates with the school team to create a positive and adaptive learning environment.
About Deep Roots
Where students discover joy, belonging, and purpose
Authentic Relationships
At Deep Roots Charter School, we take the time to know our students and their families – their backgrounds, purpose, and passion – and provide a variety of experiences from leadership to mentoring, to social-emotional learning and multiple clubs within the school day.
Personalized Learning
Every child receives individualized attention tailored to their unique learning needs and strengths. Deep Roots maximizes various learning styles and prioritizes individual student support.
Our Core Values
Practice: Each and every individual in our school community, from students to leadership, will engage in deliberate practice, and value this as the path to excellence.
Service: Our service-learning model will be discipline based; it will require students to have a presence in the community, and reflect on their experiences regularly.
Purpose: We want to empower our students to uncover their unique gifts and talents, and apply them towards an outward purpose about which they are passionate.
Antiracist & Inclusive
We stand as an actively anti-racist organization, dedicated to supporting all students and families. We advocate for our communities and strive to dismantle barriers within and beyond our school walls.
Responsibilities & Duties
Support Student Behavior and Social-Emotional Growth:
- Provide proactive behavioral support to students across classrooms and school settings.
- Implement behavior intervention plans and individualized student supports.
- Support students in developing self-regulation, conflict resolution, coping, and social-emotional skills.
- Facilitate restorative conversations and problem-solving with students.
- Respond to student behavior incidents in a calm, consistent, and student-centered manner.
- Build strong, trusting relationships with students while maintaining high expectations.
- Collaborate with teachers and school leaders to implement effective behavior management systems and classroom supports.
- Provide coaching and modeling around behavior management strategies and de-escalation techniques.
- Monitor and track student behavior data to identify trends and inform interventions.
- Participate in student support meetings and contribute to behavior support planning.
- Help create and maintain consistent school-wide expectations and routines.
- Communicate regularly with families regarding student behavior progress, challenges, and support plans.
- Partner with families to develop strategies that support student success both at school and at home.
- Maintain professionalism, empathy, and cultural responsiveness in all family interactions.
- Reinforce the school's core values and contribute to a safe, inclusive, and structured school environment.
- Support student supervision during transitions, lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and other school activities.
- Assist with the implementation of school-wide behavior incentives, restorative practices, and culture initiatives.
- Serve as a positive role model for students through consistent, respectful, and relationship-centered interactions.
- Participate in professional development, team meetings, and school events.
- Maintain accurate documentation related to behavior incidents, interventions, and student progress.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the school's mission.
- Bachelor's Degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field required.
- Experience working with children in schools or youth-serving organizations required.
- Experience supporting students with behavioral, emotional, or social needs preferred.
- Strong classroom management, de-escalation, and relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and culturally responsive practices.
- Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solution-oriented in high-pressure situations.
- Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19134
Job Type: Full-Time