BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST

WESTCHESTER SCHOOL FOR SPECIAL CHIL•North Salem, NY

9d•$50,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavior Specialist will develop, implement, and enhance the goals and objectives of the Behavior Therapy program as outlined by the Coordinator of Behavioral Services and Executive Director, in accordance with the mission of the school and applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and guidelines. This role facilitates the development and implementation of Behavioral Services specific to the needs of the population served, creates and preserves a safe learning environment, and establishes cooperative relationships with parents/guardians, the community, school districts, and collateral agencies. The specialist provides individual, group, and family therapy, performs behavioral therapy evaluations, and makes recommendations for changes in counseling services. Responsibilities also include writing IEP goals, objectives, and progress reports, completing Medicaid paperwork, and attending IEP-related meetings. The role involves collaborating with the Psychology and Social Work departments on crisis situations and evaluations, representing the school as assigned, promoting home-school relationships, and ensuring continued professional growth.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Behavior Science, or a related field, or be enrolled in a graduate program.
Minimum of one (1) year of successful internship experience in providing direct behavioral services to disabled children.
Previous duties should include collecting and analyzing behaviors and writing and implementing behavioral intervention plans.
Demonstrate significant understanding of the needs of children with disabilities, their parents, and the professional staff working with them.
Working knowledge of computer, Microsoft Word, Internet, and email.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Psychology and/or a related field preferred.
Additional experience and/or education may be substituted, if considered appropriate by the Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and enhance the goals and objectives of the Behavior Therapy program.
Facilitate the development and implementation of Behavioral Services specific to the needs of the population served.
Create and preserve successful and safe learning environments within the school.
Establish and maintain cooperative relationships between the program, parent/guardians, the community, school districts, and collateral agencies.
Provide individual, group, and family therapy for students and their families related to the student's disabling condition and according to their I.E.P.
Make recommendations for changes in the delivery of counseling services.
Perform Behavioral Therapy evaluations to determine student's level of cognitive and social/adaptive functioning.
Assist in the recommendations of Behavioral Therapy services in reference to interdisciplinary team responsibilities with classroom personnel.
Write I.E.P. goals, objectives, and progress reports in reference to counseling services.
Complete Medicaid paperwork for I.E.P. mandated counseling services.
Attend meetings related to student's I.E.P., such as, Clinical Team meetings, Committee on Special Education (C.S.E.) meetings, and Committee on Preschool Special Education (C.P.S.E.) meetings.
Ensure, in cooperation with the Psychology Department and Social Work Department, that all emergency crisis situations and follow-up phone calls are handled in a confidential and professional way.
Collaborate with the Psychology Department in conducting evaluations to assess ways of treating student's behavioral problems.
Collaborate with the Psychology Department in implementing behavior management programs to address student's behavioral program.
Represent the school as assigned by the Coordinator of Behavioral Services.
Promote home-schooling relationships by direct contact with parent and other family members through on-site meetings and telephone contacts.
Promote better delivery of services to students by ongoing communications and sharing of information when necessary with other professionals involved in their care.
Assist in ordering, maintaining, and utilizing, evaluative and therapeutic materials necessary to run a Behavioral Services program for disabled students.
Assume responsibility for continued professional growth and development.
Provide in-services for all education personnel on proper staff/student interaction.
Perform other duties that may be assigned or required by law.