Position Summary

As a key contributor to the educational team, the behavior specialist role involves actively supporting student success by preparing and maintaining timely documentation and reports on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and student progress. Responsibilities include conducting Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), developing and overseeing Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and providing ongoing training to classroom staff to ensure fidelity in implementing behavioral strategies. The role requires establishing a consistent presence in classrooms, managing data collection systems to track behavior progress, and submitting required documentation in compliance with MSDE guidelines and COMAR Regulations. 

Collaboration with educators, related service providers, and families is essential to design and implement evidence-based behavioral programs and professional development initiatives. Additional duties include participating in meetings, monitoring behavior assistants, supporting the student intake process, and maintaining communication with all stakeholders to foster a positive and effective learning environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Participates and prepare appropriate documentation and reports on individualized education plans and student progress in a timely manner.  
• Conducts functional behavior assessments (FBAs) for students
• Develops, oversees, and actively reviews behavior intervention plans at least on an annual basis but more frequent as needed based on students’ changing needs
• Provides classroom staff with ongoing training to ensure fidelity of behavior intervention plans and programmatic supports as outlined in the Individualized Education Plan
• Establishes an ongoing active presence in classrooms in non-crises and crises situations
• Develops and manages data collection systems to reflect present behavior intervention plans and target behaviors
• Ensures accurate and timely input of behavioral data 
• Completes student progress reports that reflect up-to-date progress supported by up-to-date behavior data for each term
• Ensures compliance with MSDE guidelines and COMAR Regulations 13A.08.04.03 by submitting required paperwork to MSDE and local school systems related to seclusions and restraints 
• Ensures compliance and follows COMAR Regulations 13A.08.04 of student behavior interventions as outlined in school policy
• Collaborates with special educators, related service providers and other school staff to design and implement programs and protocols to meet the needs of all students
• Designs and implements professional development for staff that support the behavioral programming of the school based on evidence based methodologies
• Participates in school-wide staff meetings and in-services, student meetings, behavior meetings, and classroom meetings on a regular basis 
• Monitors and provides guidance and training to behavior assistants
• Participates in student intake committee.
  • Review referral packets
  • Provide supports to families during the onboarding process. 
• Maintains ongoing communication with parents of students on assigned caseload and outside providers as appropriate 
• Adheres to Linwood School policies and procedures 
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or higher in behavior analysis, psychology, or related discipline preferred. 
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification or comparable. 
• A minimum of two years proven successful experience in implementing, designing and overseeing behavior analysis services for individuals with autism.
• Linwood provides CPR training. The employee must achieve and maintain certification.
• Linwood provides Professional Crisis Training (PCM) The employee must achieve and maintain certification at the Basic Practitioner level (or higher).

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate with and provide direct assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities who are having behavioral challenges ‘
• Must possess strong problem solving skills and be detail oriented.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills to effectively interact with all levels of management.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Demonstrates a skill set that includes the ability to interface in a professional manner with Linwood staff, parents, school system personnel and other professionals.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Frequently required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, various forms of technology, or controls.  
• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, run, or crawl.  
• Must be able to work under regular, moderate levels of stress.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 10 lbs. regularly and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. 

The current comprehensive company benefits:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental coverage
• Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Company-paid life insurance & AD&D
• Company-paid Long-Term Disability 
• 401K Retirement plan with company contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Annual Leave
• Paid Sick and Safe Leave
• Three Personal Days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Credit Union Membership, if desired

Eligibility to participate in Linwood’s Health, Vision, and Dental benefits program begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Per company policy, some other company-sponsored benefits may have various eligibility dates.

The company benefits offering and employee contributions are determined annually and are subject to change.

Salary : $75,000 - $100,000