What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Education Behavior Specialist (BCBA) position at Hawthorn Academy?
A free charter school located in South Jordan and West Jordan, Utah, is now accepting applications for a full-time Special Education Behavior Specialist (BCBA) for the current 2025-2026 school year.
The Behavior Specialist is responsible for overseeing the behavioral needs or students with special education services at both campuses. They will participate in the Child Find process and help develop behavior plans for students. The behavior specialist will oversee the implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans and collect data. The behavior specialist will also serve as a behavior coach for teachers when a need for improved classroom management or individual behavior support is identified.
Hawthorn Academy believes that our primary mission is three-fold; 1) to engender a true "love of learning" in our students, 2) to address the needs of the "whole child", and 3) to provide a world-class educational foundation that prepares students for life. Our teaching methodologies and Program of Instruction are geared towards achieving this three-fold mission. The framework for our Comprehensive Program of Instruction is built around the selection of best-in-class curriculum, from respected and proven publishers as a teaching methodology that serves as an overlay to our curriculum. Our curriculum is also designed to be compliant with the Utah State Core Curriculum.
The Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) provides behavioral consultation and support services for students with disabilities and behavioral needs. This position is responsible for conducting Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), developing and implementing Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), supporting the development of IEP goals related to behavior, social skills, and functional communication, and training school staff to implement evidence-based behavioral interventions.
The BCBA collaborates with special education teams, general education staff, administrators, and families to promote positive behavioral outcomes, increase student engagement, and support inclusive educational environments. The BCBA also supervises behavior technicians and monitors service delivery to ensure behavioral supports are implemented with fidelity.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) to determine the function of challenging behaviors.
Develop, implement, and monitor Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) based on assessment results.
Design and implement function-based behavioral interventions using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles.
Implement Functional Communication Training (FCT) and teach replacement behaviors to improve student communication and reduce challenging behaviors.
Use ABA strategies including prompting, shaping, reinforcement systems, and task analysis to support behavior change.
Analyze behavior data to evaluate intervention effectiveness and adjust strategies as needed.
Support classroom teams in implementing positive behavioral supports and preventative strategies.
Receive relevant training to the position. (i.e. LRBI, MANDT)
IEP Development and Progress Monitoring
Collaborate with IEP teams to develop measurable goals related to behavior, social skills, emotional regulation, and functional communication.
Provide input for Present Levels of Academic and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) and behavioral progress monitoring.
Monitor progress toward behavioral goals and assist with IEP reporting requirements.
Ensure behavioral interventions align with IDEA regulations and district policies.
Instructional Support
Develop and implement social skills and behavioral instruction for students individually or in small groups.
Design Instructional Supports And Lesson Plans Targeting
Social commu
nication, Emotional regulation, Self-management skills, Functional communication, andProblem-solving and coping strategies.
Staff Tra ning and Supervision
Model strategies and provide coaching/training for teachers and classroom staff.
Supervise behavior technicians, paraprofessionals, and instructional aides implementing behavioral supports under the direction of the Special Education Director.
Provide training and consultation for general education teachers and school staff on effective behavior strategies and classroom supports.
Conduct fidelity checks and observations to ensure behavior plans are implemented accurately.
Provide coaching and feedback to staff to support effective implementation.
Monitor behavioral service delivery to ensure IEP service minutes are implemented as required.
Collaboration and Consultation
Collaborate with teachers, administrators, related service providers, and families to support student success.
Participate in IEP meetings, multidisciplinary team meetings, and problem-solving teams.
Provide consultation to school staff regarding behavior supports and intervention strategies.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, or a related field.
Master's degree preferred in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, or a related field.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification required, or documentation of active enrollment in an accredited program leading to BCBA certification.
Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and IEP processes.
Experience working with students with behavioral challenges in school or clinical settings preferred.
Special Education Teaching Experience Is Preferred But Not Required.
Work Schedule
195-day school year contract following the district academic calendar. Additional time may be required for professional development, staff training, and IEP meetings.
Physical Requirements
Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout school buildings and classrooms.
Ability to lift or assist students up to approximately 50 pounds when necessary.
Hawthorn Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Behavior Specialist is responsible for overseeing the behavioral needs or students with special education services at both campuses. They will participate in the Child Find process and help develop behavior plans for students. The behavior specialist will oversee the implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans and collect data. The behavior specialist will also serve as a behavior coach for teachers when a need for improved classroom management or individual behavior support is identified.
Hawthorn Academy believes that our primary mission is three-fold; 1) to engender a true "love of learning" in our students, 2) to address the needs of the "whole child", and 3) to provide a world-class educational foundation that prepares students for life. Our teaching methodologies and Program of Instruction are geared towards achieving this three-fold mission. The framework for our Comprehensive Program of Instruction is built around the selection of best-in-class curriculum, from respected and proven publishers as a teaching methodology that serves as an overlay to our curriculum. Our curriculum is also designed to be compliant with the Utah State Core Curriculum.
The Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) provides behavioral consultation and support services for students with disabilities and behavioral needs. This position is responsible for conducting Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), developing and implementing Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), supporting the development of IEP goals related to behavior, social skills, and functional communication, and training school staff to implement evidence-based behavioral interventions.
The BCBA collaborates with special education teams, general education staff, administrators, and families to promote positive behavioral outcomes, increase student engagement, and support inclusive educational environments. The BCBA also supervises behavior technicians and monitors service delivery to ensure behavioral supports are implemented with fidelity.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Behavioral Assessment and Intervention
Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) to determine the function of challenging behaviors.
Develop, implement, and monitor Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) based on assessment results.
Design and implement function-based behavioral interventions using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles.
Implement Functional Communication Training (FCT) and teach replacement behaviors to improve student communication and reduce challenging behaviors.
Use ABA strategies including prompting, shaping, reinforcement systems, and task analysis to support behavior change.
Analyze behavior data to evaluate intervention effectiveness and adjust strategies as needed.
Support classroom teams in implementing positive behavioral supports and preventative strategies.
Receive relevant training to the position. (i.e. LRBI, MANDT)
IEP Development and Progress Monitoring
Collaborate with IEP teams to develop measurable goals related to behavior, social skills, emotional regulation, and functional communication.
Provide input for Present Levels of Academic and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) and behavioral progress monitoring.
Monitor progress toward behavioral goals and assist with IEP reporting requirements.
Ensure behavioral interventions align with IDEA regulations and district policies.
Instructional Support
Develop and implement social skills and behavioral instruction for students individually or in small groups.
Design Instructional Supports And Lesson Plans Targeting
Social commu
nication, Emotional regulation, Self-management skills, Functional communication, andProblem-solving and coping strategies.
Staff Tra ning and Supervision
Model strategies and provide coaching/training for teachers and classroom staff.
Supervise behavior technicians, paraprofessionals, and instructional aides implementing behavioral supports under the direction of the Special Education Director.
Provide training and consultation for general education teachers and school staff on effective behavior strategies and classroom supports.
Conduct fidelity checks and observations to ensure behavior plans are implemented accurately.
Provide coaching and feedback to staff to support effective implementation.
Monitor behavioral service delivery to ensure IEP service minutes are implemented as required.
Collaboration and Consultation
Collaborate with teachers, administrators, related service providers, and families to support student success.
Participate in IEP meetings, multidisciplinary team meetings, and problem-solving teams.
Provide consultation to school staff regarding behavior supports and intervention strategies.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, or a related field.
Master's degree preferred in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, or a related field.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification required, or documentation of active enrollment in an accredited program leading to BCBA certification.
Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and IEP processes.
Experience working with students with behavioral challenges in school or clinical settings preferred.
Special Education Teaching Experience Is Preferred But Not Required.
Work Schedule
195-day school year contract following the district academic calendar. Additional time may be required for professional development, staff training, and IEP meetings.
Physical Requirements
Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout school buildings and classrooms.
Ability to lift or assist students up to approximately 50 pounds when necessary.
Hawthorn Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.