Behavior Support Specialist

Specialized Education Services•York, PA

About The Position

The Behavior Support Specialist collaborates with school staff, teachers, and leaders to support students with intensive behavioral needs. As part of a multidisciplinary team, the specialist provides customized behavior support and positive behavioral intervention to offer holistic guidance. The role involves supporting students from diverse developmental, cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds throughout the school site, including classrooms and transition areas. The specialist helps create and implement behavior support plans, documents behavioral incidents and progress toward goals, and uses de-escalation, crisis-management, and physical-intervention techniques when necessary to maintain safety. The role also supports an inclusive environment, coordinates differentiated assistance for students with intensive needs, participates in post-crisis debriefings, and facilitates communication with parents.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
Experience working in an educational setting implementing behavioral interventions for students with intensive behavioral needs.
Emotional consistency and resilience to handle stressful situations in a composed and positive manner.
Flexibility and willingness to support where needed to help ensure the safety and well-being of staff and students.
Ability to run short distances and move swiftly in response to student needs, including bending, kneeling, and crouching.
Ability to lift and assist students with mobility challenges, often handling up to 50 pounds or more.
Skill in fine motor tasks, such as helping students with writing, manipulating small objects, or using adaptive devices.
Ability to operate a computer or tablet for up to 8 hours daily.
Capacity to notice and respond to students' non-verbal cues.
Capacity to remain calm and composed during physically and emotionally demanding situations.

Nice To Haves

College experience or a bachelor's degree is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Work with students from diverse developmental, cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Provide consistent monitoring and support throughout the school site, including classrooms and transition areas.
Support the creation and implementation of behavior support plans.
Record, track, and document behavioral incidents and progress toward goals.
Use positive behavioral intervention and support strategies and school-site incentive programs.
Use de-escalation techniques, crisis management, and physical intervention when necessary to maintain the safety of students and staff.
Foster a positive and inclusive environment that encourages appropriate social and behavioral skills.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to develop differentiated support for students with more intensive needs.
Participate in staff debriefings after challenging behavior or crisis situations.
Facilitate communication with parents.