Long Term Substitute: ABA Specialist

Framingham Public Schools•Framingham, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Applied Behavior Analyst (ABA) is responsible for providing evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) interventions to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental delays, as well as assisting the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). They will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement individualized treatment plans, collect and analyze behavioral data, and track progress toward established goals pertinent to a student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This commitment aligns with Framingham Public Schools’ high expectations for achievement, equal access to quality instruction, academic proficiency for all students, and closing the achievement gap among subgroups within the schools.

Requirements

Valid Massachusetts License in: Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification is preferred.
Safety Care Certification (or a willingness to complete our district-led sessions).
Candidates whose background, teaching, or service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of education.
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Psychology, or a related field is preferred.
Candidates currently enrolled in BCBA graduate programs are ideal for this position.
Two (2) to three (3) years of supervised ABA training and experience using ABA methodologies, preferably in a public school setting, with students on the Autism spectrum.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is encouraged.
Ability to utilize various foundational ABA interventions such as reinforcement procedures, prompting, shaping, and chaining.
Proficiency in creating structured data collection sheets, analyzing behavioral logs, and tracking progress toward targeted objectives outlined in IEPs or Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
Ability to model 1:1 direct teaching instruction effectively, including discrete trials, incidental teaching, and immediate behavioral interventions.
Ability to assist students in successfully generalizing newly acquired behavioral and academic skills within general education settings.
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, collaborating closely with parents, teachers, therapists, and administrators to ensure a cohesive treatment approach.
Capacity to provide ongoing, entry-level training and practical support to caregivers and educators on foundational ABA principles under BCBA guidance.
Rigorous attention to maintaining accurate, highly detailed, and confidential records of clinical interventions, progress notes, and data matrices.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely to diverse stakeholders, translating behavioral observations into clear updates for TEAM meetings.
Demonstrated cultural proficiency and competence in fostering an equitable and inclusive district environment for all staff, students, and families.
Maintain regular, predictable, and punctual attendance; exhibit professional composure, resilience, and objective judgment when handling student behavioral challenges.
Must move about and traverse throughout the school building and grounds; requires the ability to navigate effectively throughout classrooms, cafeterias, and playgrounds for supervision and instruction.
Must be able to engage in frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching.
Must navigate tight spaces between desks and move furniture to reorganize learning spaces.
Often remains in a stationary position for considerable periods of time for instructional delivery, administrative tasks, and meetings.
Must be able to see and hear continuously to ensure student safety, monitor classroom operations, and provide instruction in active school environments.
Continuous need for close and distance vision to monitor students, along with auditory acuity to hear in crowded environments.
Must communicate effectively and clearly with students, parents, and district personnel in person, via email, and on the telephone or video conference.
Frequent use of hands to finger, handle, or feel.
Must be able to operate a computer, input data, and utilize instructional technology and office productivity machinery continuously throughout the day.
Ability to lift, move, and position classroom materials and equipment (up to 30 lbs) such as books, supplies, and bulk student devices.
Must be able to adapt to dynamic, higher-noise school environments during classroom instruction, recess, and observations.
Must be able to sustain exposure to high noise levels, classroom germs, and potential for rapid temperature changes.
Must interact routinely with diverse stakeholders, meet multiple high-level demands simultaneously, and maintain focus on student needs amid frequent interruptions.
Ability to navigate and function effectively within diverse school settings, including classrooms, cafeterias, and playgrounds, which involve varying noise levels and high-activity environments.
Ability to sustain a very high level of social interaction.
Capacity to remain calm and professional when exposed to student behavioral challenges or high-stakes emotional situations; ability to model and apply de-escalation techniques as needed.
Likely to be placed in conflict situations where parents and students might become angry or unpleasant on a regular basis.

Nice To Haves

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese

Responsibilities

Utilizes various core ABA interventions, including specific reinforcement procedures, prompting protocols, shaping, and chaining techniques.
Models 1:1 direct teaching instruction, executing precise discrete trials, incidental teaching, and real-time behavioral interventions.
Implements individualized ABA treatment plans based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis under the direct supervision of the assigned BCBA.
Focuses consistently on ensuring that all behavioral programs and structural interventions are being taught uniformly across school settings.
Assists the supervising BCBA in completing comprehensive assessments (e.g., Functional Behavior Assessments) to accurately identify student strengths, deficits, and target behaviors.
Creates structured data collection sheets and meticulously tracks data regarding the specific goals and objectives outlined in a student's IEP or BIP.
Prepares progress data, updates student profiles, and actively attends individual TEAM meetings to share objective behavioral metrics and IEP updates.
Maintains accurate, organized, and detailed records of daily interventions, progress clinical notes, and tracking metrics.
Assists students with special needs in generalizing critical social and behavioral skills within general education classrooms and less structured environments.
Collaborates daily with parents, classroom teachers, specialized therapists, and fellow school professionals to secure a cohesive, unified treatment approach.
Partnering with the BCBA, provides ongoing baseline training, strategies, and instructional support regarding ABA methodologies to school caregivers and educators.
Commits to ongoing professional development, staying current with evidence-based practices, recent research updates, and antiracist pedagogical frameworks in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Contributes to the school community by participating in staff meetings, serving on committees, and supporting inclusive student programming as directed.
Other duties as assigned.