What are the responsibilities and job description for the SY26-27 Empowerment Zone Autism Specialist (BCBA Preferred) position at Springfield Public Schools (Massachusetts)?
SY26-27 SEZP Autism Specialist (BCBA Preferred)
Location: SEZP-Wide
Grade Level: 6-8
Full Time Start Date: August 2026 (exact start date TBD)
Base Salary: Up to $96,864.45 and commensurate with experience
Role Overview
Educators in the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership are responsible for ensuring that students have access to strong instruction, experience a deep sense of belonging in school, and are prepared for meaningful academic and life opportunities.
SEZP educators serve as instructors, mentors, and collaborators. They contribute to school communities that value strong relationships, clear expectations, and continuous improvement-for students and for adults.
Key Duties
We encourage you to reach out to us at info@sezp.org if you have questions about the role or your qualifications. We are happy to help you feel ready to apply!
Benefits
Selection as an educator in SEZP recognizes an individual for their outstanding vision, capacity, and commitment to students. Educators in SEZP are eligible for the same competitive benefits available to Educators in the Springfield Public Schools.
Educators joining SEZP may also be eligible for the following recruitment incentives, which may be offered individually:
While Massachusetts is consistently ranked as one of the top states for education results in the country, we have one of the highest and most persistent opportunity gaps. The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP) - established in 2015 as a collaboration between Springfield Public Schools (SPS), the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Springfield Education Association (SEA) - seeks to improve the longitudinal life outcomes of the more than 2,500 students in our 8 middle schools.
SEZP combines district-based public education with the flexibility of autonomous school models, granting schools meaningful control over curriculum, staffing, scheduling, and budgeting-while maintaining clear accountability for student learning and growth.
Across all of its work-including school improvement and educator preparation-SEZP is guided by three core values:
The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status.
NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION
Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.
Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools' Title IX Coordinator, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both.
The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Jeremy Saint Laurent, Chief Legal Counsel in Legal Services, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55325, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com.
Springfield Public School's sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination
To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com
Location: SEZP-Wide
Grade Level: 6-8
Full Time Start Date: August 2026 (exact start date TBD)
Base Salary: Up to $96,864.45 and commensurate with experience
Role Overview
Educators in the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership are responsible for ensuring that students have access to strong instruction, experience a deep sense of belonging in school, and are prepared for meaningful academic and life opportunities.
SEZP educators serve as instructors, mentors, and collaborators. They contribute to school communities that value strong relationships, clear expectations, and continuous improvement-for students and for adults.
Key Duties
- Participates as a member of the Evaluation team and assists in the development of Individualized Education Plans and services for students with ASD.
- Staff training and consultation on meeting the needs of students with ASD in general and special education settings.
- Attend regional trainings and meetings of the Department of Education pertinent to educating students with autism.
- Provide parent training and support through consultations and group workshops for students with ASD.
- Conduct formative and diagnostic assessments necessary for providing specific information on students.
- Develops data collection tools to facilitate Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans for students.
- Assists in developing appropriate programs and services for students with ASD in the Springfield Public Schools.
- Bachelor's degree in related field required. Master's degree preferred.
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) preferred or DESE license in Severe or Moderate Disabilities required. Other DESE license in related fields may be considered.
- Experience in a K-12 educational environment preferred.
- Demonstrated experience and expertise in best practices in educating children with ASD.
We encourage you to reach out to us at info@sezp.org if you have questions about the role or your qualifications. We are happy to help you feel ready to apply!
Benefits
Selection as an educator in SEZP recognizes an individual for their outstanding vision, capacity, and commitment to students. Educators in SEZP are eligible for the same competitive benefits available to Educators in the Springfield Public Schools.
Educators joining SEZP may also be eligible for the following recruitment incentives, which may be offered individually:
- Signing bonus in addition to base salary
- Relocation award for candidates from regions beyond western Massachusetts
While Massachusetts is consistently ranked as one of the top states for education results in the country, we have one of the highest and most persistent opportunity gaps. The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP) - established in 2015 as a collaboration between Springfield Public Schools (SPS), the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and the Springfield Education Association (SEA) - seeks to improve the longitudinal life outcomes of the more than 2,500 students in our 8 middle schools.
SEZP combines district-based public education with the flexibility of autonomous school models, granting schools meaningful control over curriculum, staffing, scheduling, and budgeting-while maintaining clear accountability for student learning and growth.
Across all of its work-including school improvement and educator preparation-SEZP is guided by three core values:
- Access: Expanding access to strong learning environments, skilled mentors, and clear pathways for students and educators
- Belonging: Building communities where people are known, supported, and accountable to one another
- Opportunity: Preparing students and educators to learn, lead, and thrive over time
The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status.
NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION
Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.
Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools' Title IX Coordinator, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both.
The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Jeremy Saint Laurent, Chief Legal Counsel in Legal Services, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55325, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com.
Springfield Public School's sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination
To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com
Salary : $96,864