Behavioral Specialist

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with students in small groups or in one-to-one assignments to observe, teach, or support children in their learning activities or behavioral goals.
• •Under the direction of the Mental Health Advisor, provides individualized 1-on-1 behavioral support by matching the intervention to the unique needs of each child.
• •Address unsafe behaviors through the utilization of the Teaching Pyramid or other supportive non-physical strategies.
• •Under the direction of the Mental Health Advisor, conduct classroom observations and Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA) for specific children.
• •Assist in the implementation of the students Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), and behavior intervention plan.
• •Provide appropriate community resources to families.
• •Actively participate and collaborate in all assigned meetings.
• •Assist the teacher in establishing and maintaining a clean, safe, and cooperative classroom and learning environment.
• •Coach teachers and parents by modeling strategies and providing education on effective methods to support the child’s prosocial behavior and development.
• •Accompany and supervise students on community based instructional outings or field trips; reinforces positive behavior in public settings; assists students in learning life skills such as crossing streets safely, riding buses, etc.
• Participate as a member of the appropriate team or committee to assist staff with developing and implementing individual or site crisis management plans.
• •Confer, on a regular basis, with teachers regarding planning and scheduling activities, progress in instructional goals and objectives, pertinent health or behavior concerns and overall child progress.
• •Provide center team and Mental Health Advisor with information on student progress through observation, daily contact, and maintenance of accurate student progress records/logs.
• •Assist in establishing and maintaining routine informational and operational records and files related to IFSP and IEP meetings and goals.
• •Assist students in becoming self-reliant; foster student independence in classroom and learning environments.
• •Assist children at mealtimes according to their individual needs.
• •Assist lifting of students in and out of wheelchairs, braces, and other orthopedic equipment; assist in physically transferring/lifting students to and from their wheelchairs for busing, school, and/or community activities.
• •Guide students and/or provide appropriate modeling in a variety of areas to support safe and full participation in class activities.
• •Maintain confidentiality of child records and classroom information in accordance with legal requirements and policies.
• •Participate in weekly case supervision with Mental Health Advisor.
• •Provide home visits, when needed for families.
• •Attend training, in-service, and staff meetings as required, which may occur offsite and beyond the normal workday or work week.
• •Other duties as assigned by the Mental Health Advisor, Educational Health and Supportive Services Director, Program Director, and Chief Executive Officer.

Health and Safety:

• Ensure the health and welfare of children and staff is maintained at all times.
• •Mandated to report suspected child abuse.
• •Report safety hazards and injuries immediately to the Site Director and ensure the proper paperwork is completed in a timely manner.

Skills and Abilities:

• Passion to work with neurodivergent and differently abled children.
• •Demonstrate effective knowledge of child development and behavior.
• •Extensive understanding of the unique needs of exceptional children.
• •Skilled in teaching and providing behavioral intervention techniques and strategies.
• •Ability to work independently under general supervision.
• •Ability to learn the methods and procedures that must be followed in assigned classroom/program.
• •Ability to build rapport and maintain appropriate boundaries with children, families, and staff.
• •Understand and successfully follow oral and written instructions.
• Understand the needs of assigned children and effectively relate to these needs in a learning situation.
• •Effectively support assigned children in a variety of situations, maintaining emotional control under difficult and emergency situations.
• •Maintain a variety of records related to the activities and operations of assigned classroom/program in a confidential manner where appropriate.
• •Exercise tact, diplomacy, and good judgment in dealing with students with severe medical disabilities.
• •Maintain confidentiality of records or discussions.
• •Effective record-keeping practices and procedures.
• •Assist teachers and administrators in assisting with unsafe behavior.
• •Organized, creative, independent, self-motivated, enthusiastic, dependable, detail-oriented, flexible in scheduling based and prioritization, and driven by excellence.
• •Must possess exceptional communication skills to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form, including accurate grammar and business correspondence knowledge.
• •Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective business relationships; demonstrated ability to communicate in situations requiring tact and poise; skilled in confidentiality and discretion.
• •Knowledge of office administration including efficient filing systems, office machines and equipment, and computer software such as Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook (email & calendar)
• •Must present a neat, professional appearance.
• •Ability to adjust tasks and focus with composure, and in accordance with changing deadlines and priorities.
• •Belief in working as a professional, cohesive team member.
• •Respect diversity and embrace working with multi-cultural communities.
• •Ability to define and solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Education and Experience:

• BA/BS in Child Development, Education, Psychology, and/or related field is preferred. Years of experience can be counted in lieu of a formal degree.
• •2 years previous experience working with children in a mental health, applied behavioral analysis (ABA), or childcare setting.
• •Must be in good health as verified by a current health screening, including a test for tuberculosis performed under the supervision of a physician not more than one year prior to employment.
• •Proof of up-to-date immunization records to include but not limited to Measles, Pertussis, Tuberculosis, and Influenza (annual).
• •Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, criminal record, FBI and DOJ clearance and child abuse index check prior to employment.
• Must possess California Driver’s License and meet minimum insurance requirements for personal vehicles and have a driving record which meets the standards set forth in Administrative Regulation 4532 and 4533. If current auto insurance has a “Business Use Exclusion” it will need to be removed from your policy.
• •Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid certificate from an approved vendor required.
• •Completion of Mandated Reporter Training as per Assembly Bill 1207. Must be completed every 2 years.
• •Bilingual/Biliterate a plus.