Behavior Specialist

Excel Prep•Champaign, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

ExcelPrep is a mission-driven private program serving neurodiverse children through structured, research-based instruction. Our mission is simple: prioritize the academic and social success of neurodiverse learners. We deliver high-quality academic and therapeutic programming that supports meaningful learning outcomes. We center Direct Instruction and instructional design, Precision Teaching and data-based decision making, Behavior science research foundations, and Occupational Therapy as a prioritized therapy alongside ABA for sensory-motor development. Our overarching goal is to provide a nurturing, academically focused learning environment where neurodiverse students develop strong academic foundations, cognitive-linguistic skills, and the confidence to succeed in school and beyond. ExcelPrep offers programs for ages 3–13, including a PreK–8 Academic Program utilizing Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching for core academics, and a Clinical ABA Program focusing on language, reasoning, executive functioning, social competence, and independence.

Requirements

BCBA or BCaBA certification, or eligibility to sit for certification; or equivalent, demonstrable ABA expertise with plan to obtain BCBA/BCaBA credential.
Minimum 2–3 years of relevant clinical experience supporting neurodiverse children (ages 3–13) in educational or clinical settings.
Strong background in ABA, data collection and analysis, and behavior intervention planning.
Excellent collaboration and communication skills; ability to work effectively with families, teachers, and multidisciplinary teams.
Knowledge of sensory processing, occupational therapy principles, and their application to behavior and learning.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching frameworks preferred.
Bilingual abilities (e.g., Spanish or other languages) are a plus and welcomed.
Experience with functional language development, executive functioning strategies, social skills training, and independence-building programs.
Demonstrated ability to translate data into actionable instructional changes.
Experience working in private school settings or clinical ABA programs for neurodiverse learners.

Responsibilities

Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA) and develop Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) tailored to individual learners.
Implement, monitor, and adjust ABA-based interventions (language, reasoning, executive functioning, social skills, independence) within both ABA and academic programming.
Lead data collection and analysis (Precision Teaching methods, probe data, mastery criteria, trend lines) to inform progress and instructional decisions.
Collaborate with Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and classroom teachers to integrate sensory-motor supports and cognitive-linguistic strategies.
Model and coach instructional strategies for direct instruction and precision teaching to staff and paraprofessionals.
Provide direct on-site therapy sessions and supervise/coach RBTs or BCaBAs as needed.
Communicate progress and concerns to families; conduct regular progress updates, parent trainings, and team meetings.
Ensure fidelity to program design, privacy, and ethical standards in accordance with state and national regulations.
Contribute to program development by staying current with research in behavior science and implementing evidence-based practices.
Participate in ongoing professional development and supervision to support high-quality service delivery.