Head Start Behavior Specialist: Childhood Development Center (Short-Term)

OSU Oregon State University • Corvallis, OR

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Oregon State University’s Child Development Center (CDC), within the College of Health and affiliated with the School of Human Development and Family Sciences, is seeking up to three short-term Head Start Behavior Specialists. These are full-time, 1.00 FTE, nine-month professional faculty positions. The CDC provides early learning and family support services, prepares future early childhood professionals through hands-on training and mentorship, and supports research to improve family-focused early learning practices and policies.

The Behavior Specialist provides hands-on support to classroom educators, observes children with persistent or intensive behavioral challenges, and collects and uses behavioral data to inform support and intervention planning. The role partners with families and caregivers, promotes safe and inclusive learning environments, and helps prevent suspensions and expulsions through proactive behavioral support. Behavioral records must be accurate, confidential, and maintained in compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and applicable Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care regulations.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; occasional evening work may be required for family engagement activities, meetings, or trainings. Work takes place primarily in early childhood classrooms and involves regular interaction with children, families, and staff, including in busy, high-stimulation settings and behavioral crises. Physical demands include frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting, and sitting on the floor or child-sized furniture; moving quickly around classrooms and playgrounds; and lifting, carrying, or assisting with moving up to 50 pounds when needed for child safety or emergencies. The anticipated start date is November 16, 2026, and the anticipated end date is June 10, 2027. Salary range: $44,000–$52,000, commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field.
• Three years of demonstrated experience supporting young children with social-emotional and behavioral needs in an early childhood setting.
• Oregon Registry Step 10 or higher.
• Complete required Health and Safety Training within 30 days of hire.
• Hold, or obtain within 90 days of hire, Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens certification.
• Strong understanding of child development, early childhood mental health, trauma-informed practices, and positive behavior support.
• Ability to collect and analyze behavioral data and use findings to inform intervention planning.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, families, educators, and community partners.
• Commitment to culturally responsive, inclusive, and equitable practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data management systems such as ChildPlus.
• Ability to lift, carry, or assist in moving up to 50 pounds when necessary to ensure child safety or respond to emergencies.
• Ability to rapidly assess situations and make sound decisions during behavioral, medical, or safety-related emergencies.
• Ability to work effectively amid frequent noise, movement, and sensory stimulation while remaining calm and regulated.
• Ability to implement approved de-escalation and safety procedures consistent with program policies and Oregon regulations.
• Ability to respond appropriately, physically and emotionally, during crisis situations involving children, families, or staff.
• Successful completion of a criminal history check and determination of position qualification; incumbents must self-report convictions, and youth-program employees may be subject to additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, or a related field.
• Experience conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and developing Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs).
• Training in the Pyramid Model, PBIS, trauma-informed care, Conscious Discipline, CPI, or other evidence-based behavioral support frameworks.
• Experience providing coaching and consultation to teachers and families.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, IDEA, and Oregon Early Childhood Special Education systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide regular, hands-on support to teachers and aides implementing Tier 1 and Tier 2 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Pyramid Model practices.
• Conduct formal, objective classroom observations of children exhibiting persistent or intensive behavioral challenges.
• Maintain accurate and confidential behavioral records; document, track, and analyze child behavior data using program-approved systems such as ChildPlus.
• Partner with parents and caregivers to share behavioral insights, gather relevant family and developmental history, and support consistent behavior strategies across home and school.
• Participate in ongoing professional development to strengthen support for children with behavioral and mental health needs.
• Maintain behavioral documentation in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA, and applicable Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care regulations.
• Promote safe, inclusive learning environments and help educators prevent suspensions and expulsions through proactive behavioral support and classroom management.
• Support family engagement activities, meetings, or trainings as needed, including occasional evening work.
• Respond to behavioral, medical, or safety-related emergencies and implement approved de-escalation and safety procedures consistent with program policies and Oregon regulations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level