Behavior Support Specialist

Upbring•Canyon Lake, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve. Every day, we strive to embody our core values: We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion. We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive. We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength. Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time. Many of the girls arrive at New Life after experiencing severe abuse or neglect. These courageous young women are between the ages of 11-17, and they begin to grow and heal through in-depth clinical therapy, personal development activities and spiritual care in a safe setting. Girls stay an average of six to eight months and begin to feel a restored sense of hope in their futures – thanks to the support of New Life’s staff and therapists specializing in Trauma-Informed Care. Often during the healing process, girls discover special interests and talents and begin to live a healthy lifestyle. Many girls are either reunited with biological family or connected with a loving foster family after living at New Life. Behavior Support Specialists collaborate with interdisciplinary and treatment teams to provide trauma-informed behavioral and academic support to students with diverse diagnoses and special needs. They use a positive, proactive, and innovative approach to promote skill development, academic success, and life skills while employing de-escalation techniques to support emotional regulation. Additionally, they provide direct care to youth outside the classroom and on campus, ensuring supervision and support within the required staff-to-youth ratio.

Requirements

Must be 21 years of age or older per licensing requirements
Completion of Two (2) years of higher education (48 semester hours or associate degree)
One (1) year experience in child welfare or educational setting
Familiarity with basic computer skills, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Strong communication skills, with demonstrated ability to enter information into a computer in a concise and understandable manner
Strong time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks in a timely manner
Ability to work both in a team environment and independently
Ability to use good judgment, think and react rationally and calmly in difficult and stressful situations
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a diverse staff and resident population
Ability to work extra shifts on business need

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social work, Social Services, Human Services, Special Education, or closely related field
Two (2) years of experience in the child welfare field working with children and/or adolescents
Trauma Informed Care training and understanding of effects on trauma on development
Knowledge of behavior modification and therapeutic settings
Ability to provide conflict resolution and de-escalation methods and techniques to ensure the well-being and safety of youth

Responsibilities

Supervise, interact with, and support students in the classroom, ensuring their safety, engagement, and adherence to individualized treatment and behavior support plans; provide behavioral support in dorm settings as needed when students refuse to attend school
Assist in maintaining a structured, positive, and trauma-informed classroom environment by implementing behavior support strategies, reinforcing positive behaviors, and using de-escalation techniques when necessary
Monitor and follow assigned schedules, demonstrating strong time management skills while attending and participating in required meetings, supervision sessions, and training to meet licensing and program requirements
Maintain professionalism and ethical standards by fostering positive relationships with students, staff, and interdisciplinary teams, ensuring clear, strength-based communication and teamwork
Accurately document student behaviors, interventions, and incidents in the system before the end of each shift, ensuring all reports are clear, concise, and timely
Observe and respond to student behavior by setting appropriate limits, proactively intervening to prevent or de-escalate crises using verbal redirection and agency-approved interventions based on individualized treatment plans
Model and reinforce positive behavior, social skills, and emotional regulation while guiding students in developing essential life skills such as problem-solving, self-advocacy, and classroom engagement
Collaborate with teachers, clinical staff, and volunteers to align behavior support strategies with educational and therapeutic goals, ensuring a consistent and supportive learning experience
Assist in maintaining a clean, safe, and organized classroom environment, upholding safety and behavioral expectations while ensuring an inclusive and supportive space for learning
Provide transportation assistance and backup support to dorms as needed, ensuring continuity of care and supervision
Supervise and support students on Refusal when they choose not to attend class, maintaining structure, reinforcing academic engagement, and implement behavior support strategies to encourage a return to the classroom
Provide behavioral support in dorm settings, particularly on weekends and holidays, by maintaining structure, reinforcing positive behaviors, and assisting with life skills development to ensure continuity of care and supervision
Other duties and projects as assigned