Behavior Specialist

Wethersfield Public Schools•Wethersfield, CT

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Wethersfield Public Schools partner with the community and families in fostering our students' ongoing education in a safe and engaging learning environment. Our schools are demographically diverse and are characterized by respectful behavior, trusting relationships, caring educators/administrators/staff and continuous learning. This position is eligible for various benefits including paid sick time, paid personal days, and retirement benefits. Health care, life insurance, or disability benefits are also associated with this position for work. This position is affiliated with the secretary / clerical / paraeducator / tutor union and will be eligible for all terms and conditions of employment for tutors as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. Candidates must be aware the district reserves the right to move Behavior Specialists between assignments/schools during the school year at its discretion in order to efficiently support and service our students. Additionally, some assignments may require the Behavior Specialist to be assigned to a daily work schedule beyond the student school day in order to provide necessary adult supervision for students at all times (i.e., bus ride supervisor before/after school).

Requirements

Hold Associates Degree, have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, or have successfully completed ParaPro Assessment
Possess Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential and Trauma Informed Practices/Strategies training, or willing to participate in and successfully complete training in ABA/DTI Strategies and Trauma Informed Practices/Strategies trainings
Ability to work under the direction of classroom teacher and specialists
Experience working with students with special needs; highly preferred individuals who have specific training and/or experience with students with significant cognitive, social/emotional and learning needs
Ability to work cooperatively with administration, regular education teachers, support staff and parents
Ability to work with all levels of students with special needs and disabilities in general education settings, and/or special education settings including WPS district's special education programs
Must have capability to follow teacher and related staff instructions in regard to work modifications and behavior plans
Ability to review developmental and remedial materials in a clear and efficient manner
Ability to assist teacher in handling interruptions/emergencies, move swiftly, and hold training (or show ability to be trained) to perform physical restraint in case of emergency
Must be able to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds
Ability to participate on Crisis Intervention Team including certification or willing to participate in Crisis Prevention Training including the use of restraint/seclusion practices
Must demonstrate ability to sit up to thirty (30) minutes on the floor or in a child-sized chair; additional requirements may include carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing/balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling and crouching (note: generally the job requires 40% sitting, 30% standing, 30% walking)

Nice To Haves

Candidates MUST be both trained/qualified to perform the work in the specialized classroom or on school crisis intervention team AND be serving in that capacity in order to be classified by the District as a pay grade 4 Behavior Specialist.
While employees may be placed in that environment, they will not be classified and/or paid as such if they have not completed the required training.
Similarly, employees may have completed the required prerequisites for consideration for placement in the role, but if they have not yet been placed into one of the specialized classrooms or specifically on a school crisis intervention team the employee will not receive the classification or associated pay.
The District maintains the right and flexibility to move staff members between a pay grade 4 Behavior Specialist role and a pay grade 2 Paraeducator role, as necessary, in order to address staffing needs, staff qualifications, and staff member performance.
The District will not arbitrarily reassign staff members, but rather will reassign only when student needs dictate a change in staffing requirements, a staff member demonstrates the ability (or inability) to meet all position requirements, and/or a staff member's performance dictates a change in status should be made.
The District will make every attempt to provide advance notice should a change in job classification be required, but will not be limited to doing so with any minimum prescribed advance notice.

Responsibilities

Maintain a high level of fairness, respect and equity with students, families and staff
Understand and maintain boundaries and confidentiality with students, families and staff
Be able to work independently with small groups of students in various environments
Demonstrate willingness to work with all students with various levels of functioning and disabilities including but not limited to: learning disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, ADHD, speech/language impairments, multiple disabilities, etc., across all grade levels
Apply behavioral principles consistently in all interactions with clients and caregivers
Implement treatment plans under the direction of a BCBA/BCBA consultant
Provide individual support to students with identified behavioral concerns and needs
Consistently implement behavior plans to reduce client's socially inappropriate behavior and promote appropriate social behaviors, including skills in emotional regulation and problem solving
Effectively respond to and manage crisis situations which may include client physical aggression
Teach communication skills, social skills, self-help skills, and play skills through Applied Behavior Analysis principles
Work with students to effectively prevent discipline problems and promote relationship building
Communicate and collaborate effectively with co-workers, teachers, community partners, and administrative team
Implement and support behavior plans and strategies under teacher direction
Complete daily documentation and data collection notes in a detailed, accurate, consistent and timely manner
Collect and record student data adhering to the supervising teachers' directions and requirements
Act as a liaison between teachers
Accept work direction willingly, shift work assignments and accept changes and new job assignments as needed
Consult daily with special education teacher regarding daily responsibilities
Provide personal assistance to students, as needed, to address mobility, positioning, personal care, daily activities, and utilizing the restroom
Facilitate students with developing communication skills, social skills, academic skills, self-help skills and promoting independence
Ability to be trained in and implement Crisis Prevention and Intervention strategies, including de-escalation strategies and physical restraints
Utilize various forms of technology, including assistive technology, to support students learning and communication needs
As part of the daily work assignment, may be scheduled to ride the bus (before/after school) with students who require adult supervision
Other duties as assigned by administration