Behavior Specialist

Primary Purpose:

Provide support and training for teachers, staff, and parents to address and manage children with challenging behaviors.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor's degree from accredited university

Valid Texas teaching certificate with required special education endorsements for assignments

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of special needs of students in assigned area

Knowledge of Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting and implementation

Knowledge of behavior and social skill intervention techniques and methodology

Ability to work with students with pervasive developmental disabilities

Ability to develop and deliver training to adult learners

Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Experience:

3 years of experience as a special education teacher

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Instructional and Program Management

1. Collaborate with teachers to design and develop behavioral intervention plans (BIP) and provide support to instructional staff in implementing BIPs and classroom management strategies.

2. Monitor the effectiveness of behavior intervention plans and recommend changes as needed.

3. Conduct functional behavioral assessment (FBA) based on observation of students in school, home, and community environments. Work with school staff and parents in teaching socially acceptable behaviors to students based on individual needs.

4. Participate in admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee meetings. Work collaboratively with parents, teachers, and other staff members to ensure success in meeting individual educational plan (IEP) goals.

5. Manage student behavior and administer discipline including intervening in crisis situations and physically restraining students as necessary according to IEP. Training and Staff Development

6. Identify staff development needs, develop and present training, and coach campus personnel to continually develop and enhance behavioral assessment and intervention skills.

7. Provide behavior management training for parents as needed.

Other

8. Consult with district and outside resources regarding education, social, medical, and personal needs of students.

9. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.

10. Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.

11. Keep informed of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for special education.

12. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals, and other instructional equipment

Posture: Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may require occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities, control behavior through physical restraint, assist nonambulatory students, and lift and move adaptive and other classroom equipment

Environment: Work inside, may work outside; regular exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours

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