Behavior Support Specialist

Salary Range: $23.00 - $26.45 / hour

Bonus: Signing bonus eligible, $500

Posting: Accepting applications as long as posting is up

To apply: Submit a resume and cover letter

The Behavior Support Specialist will provide operational and administrative support in the area of behavior intervention as part of the mental health and disabilities program of Mile High Early Learning (MHEL) in compliance with Federal, State, and MHEL requirements.

Work Environment:

Mile High Early Learning is a leading provider of early care and education for children 6 weeks to five years focused on growing great young minds and preparing them for kindergarten and the world using a Montessori inspired curriculum approach.

Consider joining a learning organization that is as focused on growing great teachers and family-oriented professionals as we are on providing a high-quality educational experience for our students and comprehensive services to our families. Mile High Early Learning invests in our staff with ongoing professional development including college courses, certifications, conferences, and workshops. Our professional development programs include semi-annual Child Development Associate certification trainings, annual Inclusive Practice in Early Childhood training, and a Bachelors Residency program.

Mile High Early Learning is seeking candidates who are committed to educational equity and anti-racism, and willing to engage in the hard work it takes to bring positive, impactful change. As an inclusive, learning-centered organization, we embrace innovation, reflection, and assessment to continuously improve.

We are always looking to add thoughtful, energetic, honest, positive, and creative people to our team. Must be an outstanding communicator and rapport builder.

Essential Job Functions of the Behavior Support Specialist

• Build relationships with individual children and ECE providers in classrooms to provide meaningful behavior intervention service delivery
• Conduct focused classroom and child-specific behavioral observations and provide feedback and recommendations to ECE providers to support positive child guidance strategies and implementation
• Provide ongoing modeling and coaching in areas of need for classroom staff to support implementation of targeted social emotional supports and individualized intensive interventions for children demonstrating challenging behavior
• Support MHEL’s behavior planning process as it pertains to challenging behavior from birth to five which includes ongoing communication with center staff, parents, and referral agencies
• Provide appropriate resources and modifications, such as special furniture, equipment, and materials for children, to assist classroom staff in implementing classroom and child-specific goals based on screening or assessment results and behavior intervention plans
• Support collaboration and facilitate behavior intervention plan meetings within ECE interdisciplinary teams and families to better individualize strategies and goals for children demonstrating challenging behavior
• Provide ongoing case management and consultation to families of children with challenging behavior and their ECE providers to inform onsite supports and create positive behavior change
• Empower families to understand their rights and their children’s rights when navigating MHEL’s policies and procedures for Suspension and Expulsion, Child Guidance, Behavior Intervention Guidance, and safety planning
• Manage ongoing tracking, documenting, monitoring, and reporting of students on caseload, including training and assisting ECE providers with data collection
• Facilitate training as it pertains to supporting children with challenging behavior, including Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood (IPEC) certificate program and MHEL Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
• Understand and support implementation of the Mental Health/Disabilities school year action plan
• Provide appropriate reports pertaining to job expectations

Standard Job Functions

• Use developmentally appropriate conflict resolution skills to assist children with learning to resolve their own conflicts
• Ensure ethnic and cultural backgrounds are appropriately recognized and cultural activities are integrated into education program and training
• Interact with educationally, economically, culturally, and racially diverse persons whose first language may not be English
• Comply with requirements of child care licensing, Head Start Program Performance Standards, Department of Public Health and Environment, and all other program requirements
• Maintain confidentiality related to all aspects of the parents / children enrolled and employee information as defined by the MHEL, State of Colorado and Federal regulations
• Effectively resolve conflict; remain calm in a very busy or emergency situation
• Identify child abuse and report situations to appropriate center or MHEL personnel according to MHEL and State reporting requirements
• Maintain professional working relationships with parents, co-workers, staff, and community agencies
• Engage in ongoing training to meet job requirements
• Attend and participate in agency meetings as it pertains to job role
• Perform other duties as assigned

Mile High Early Learning Offers:

• Signing bonus (see above)
• 5+ weeks of paid time off
• Employee discount for child care (employees' children attend for free)
• Health insurance (as low as $138/mth)
• Dental insurance (at no cost for employee only coverage)
• Short term, Long term, and Life Insurance (no cost)
• Retirement Plan with employer match
• Financial support for education related college coursework or degree attainment
• Employee assistance program with robust mental health support

Required Position Qualifications / Certificates / Licenses

• Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Special Education, or related field
• 2 years' experience working with children with disabilities and their families
• Prior experience working with children and families from diverse backgrounds
• Clearance of CBI/Central Registry check and post-employment physical
• Reliable vehicle for transportation, valid driver’s license and current State of Colorado automobile insurance

Desired Qualifications / Skills / Licenses / Certifications:

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Special Education, or related field
• Bilingual in Spanish, Arabic, or Amharic

Physical Requirements:

• Conduct activities involving substantial standing, walking and moderate sitting; stooping kneeling, bending, crouching, crawling, twisting, and reaching on a frequent basis
• Work with hands above shoulder height with a weight up to 20 pounds
• Work with arms extended at shoulder height with a weight up to 20 pounds
• Must be able to stoop, bend and kneel on the floor without assistance
• Participate in routine conversation in person or via telephone and distinguish telephone radio/pager signals, alarms and other auditory tones
• Under unusual or emergency circumstances may be required to lift a child up to 50 pounds

MHEL uses an online system for references. Applicants must be prepared to provide a minimum of three references to qualify for employment.

Mile High Early Learning is a drug-free work place and we perform pre-employment drug screenings. #ID23