What are the responsibilities and job description for the Registered Behavioral Technician-RBT position at Holyoke Public Schools?
DISTRICT OVERVIEW
Holyoke Public Schools is a PreK-12 public school district serving nearly 4,800 students, of whom 80 percent are Latino/Latina, in 11 schools. We employ nearly 1,300 people who together educate and support a richly diverse community of learners. We are committed to recruiting and retaining top-quality educators who believe all children can and will learn and who strive daily to make school a joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging.
Holyoke Public Schools’ strategic plan, “Moving Forward Together,” builds on the strengths of our past while serving as a call to action to accelerate student learning by thinking differently about how we teach, how we work together, and how we support students’ well-being.
Many successes contributed to Holyoke’s return to local governance after 10 years in state receivership. These include:
- The highest graduation rate on record of 77.1 percent, an increase of more than 15-points over 10 years
- Meaningful, applied learning opportunities for high school students, including theme-based academies, career vocational technical education programming, work-based learning, and advanced coursework
- A comprehensive approach to early literacy that includes strong core instruction and one-on-one tutoring, contributing to more students reading at grade level
- A thriving dual language English/Spanish program, where nearly 900 students are on their path to becoming bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural
- More than one-third of Holyoke teachers identify as people of color, a 19-point increase over 10 years. Many partnership programs support staff to earn licensure or additional certification.
Please visit the Holyoke Public Schools website to learn more about us, our recent accomplishments, and our commitment to equity.
PERSPECTIVA GENERAL DEL DISTRITO
Las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke son un distrito escolar público que cuenta con 11 escuelas de prekínder a 12.° grado y acoge a casi 4 800 estudiantes, de los cuales el 80 % se identifica como latino o latina. Empleamos a casi 1 300 personas que, en conjunto, educan y apoyan a una comunidad de estudiantes altamente diversa. Estamos comprometidos a contratar y retener educadores de alta calidad que creen firmemente que todos los niños pueden aprender y aprenderán, y que se esfuerzan diariamente por hacer de la escuela un lugar alegre de descubrimiento, apoyo y pertenencia.
El plan estratégico de las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke , “Avanzando Juntos”, se basa en nuestras fortalezas previas y, al mismo tiempo, sirve como un llamado a la acción para acelerar el aprendizaje estudiantil a través de una nueva perspectiva sobre cómo enseñamos, cómo trabajamos en colaboración y cómo apoyamos el bienestar de los estudiantes.
Existen numerosos logros que permitieron a Holyoke recuperar el control local después de 10 años de administración judicial. Entre estos logros se encuentran:
- La tasa de graduación más alta registrada, del 77.1 %, lo que representa un aumento de más de 15 puntos porcentuales en 10 años
- Oportunidades significativas de aprendizaje práctico para estudiantes de secundaria, que incluyen academias temáticas, programas de educación técnica y vocacional, aprendizaje basado en el trabajo y cursos avanzados
- Un enfoque integral de la alfabetización temprana que combina una sólida instrucción básica con tutorías individuales, lo cual ha contribuido a que más estudiantes lean a nivel de grado
- Un próspero programa bilingüe de inglés/español, en el que casi 900 estudiantes avanzan hacia el bilingüismo, la biliteracidad, y la biculturalidad.
- Más de un tercio de los maestros de Holyoke se identifican como personas de etnicidad diversa, lo que representa un aumento de 19 puntos porcentuales en 10 años. Diversas colaboraciones con programas que han contribuido a que miembros del personal obtengan sus certificaciones o credenciales adicionales.
Visite el sitio web de las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke para obtener más información sobre nuestra comunidad, nuestros logros recientes y nuestro compromiso con la equidad.
Position Overview:
The Paraeducator/Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) supports the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth of students through direct service, implementation of behavior intervention plans, and collaboration with teachers, specialists, and families. This role combines the instructional support responsibilities of a paraeducator with the specialized skills of an RBT to ensure students with disabilities and behavioral needs receive equitable access to highquality education in a safe, supportive environment.
Responsibilities:
- Instructional Support Provide small-group and individualized academic support under the direction of the classroom teacher and/or special education provider. Assist with instructional delivery by reinforcing lessons, modeling strategies, and adapting materials as needed. Collect student work samples, data, and observations to share with the instructional team.
- Behavioral Support Implement individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) consistently and with fidelity. Use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles and evidence-based practices to teach replacement behaviors and support skill development.
- Support crisis prevention, de-escalation, and restorative practices when students exhibit challenging behavior.
- Collect and maintain accurate behavior data to inform team decision-making.
- Student Supervision & Care Supervise students in classrooms, hallways, recess, cafeteria, and other school settings, ensuring safety and positive behavior.
- Provide support with daily living, communication, or self-regulation needs as required by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Promote student independence, dignity, and inclusion in all school activities.
- Collaboration & Communication Partner with classroom teachers, special educators, behavior specialists, and related service providers to align academic and behavioral supports.
- Communicate observations, progress, and concerns clearly with the educational team.
- Build positive, respectful relationships with students and families.
Qualifications:
Required
- High school diploma or equivalent;
- Associate’s or Posession of a Passing Score on WorkKeys Assessment Completion of Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire.
- Experience working with children in an educational or therapeutic setting
- Ability to follow directions, implement plans with fidelity, and maintain confidentiality.
Preferred
- Prior experience supporting students with disabilities, autism, or behavioral challenges.
- Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies and restorative practices.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills.
Skills & Competencies:
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with students. Patience, empathy, and consistency when supporting students with challenging needs. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills in dynamic situations. Professionalism, reliability, and commitment to equity and inclusion