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

OSU Rec Sports - Sport. Leadership. Wellness. • Corvallis, OR

7d • $44,000 - $52,000

About The Position

The Child Development Center (CDC) in Oregon State University’s College of Health 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 experiences and family support through Head Start and tuition-based programs, prepares early childhood professionals through hands-on student training and mentorship, and supports research to improve family-focused early learning practices and policies. Affiliated with the School of Human Development and Family Sciences, the CDC integrates service, education, and research to improve outcomes for children, families, and students.

The Behavior Specialist provides hands-on support to teachers and aides implementing Tier 1 and Tier 2 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Pyramid Model practices. The position conducts objective classroom observations, maintains confidential behavioral records and data, partners with families and caregivers, and supports inclusive, safe learning environments. The specialist also participates in professional development and ensures documentation meets applicable privacy and regulatory requirements.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional evening work to support family engagement activities, meetings, or trainings. Work is primarily in early childhood classrooms and involves regular interaction with young children, families, and staff. The employee must remain calm and professional in busy, high-stimulation settings and during behavioral crises. Physical requirements include frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting, and sitting on the floor or child-sized furniture; moving quickly through classrooms, playgrounds, and other program spaces; and lifting, carrying, or assisting in moving up to 50 pounds when necessary for child safety or emergencies. The employee must be able to respond to behavioral, medical, or safety emergencies and implement approved de-escalation and safety procedures.

The salary range is $44,000–$52,000, with starting salary commensurate with skills, education, and experience. The anticipated start date is November 16, 2026, and the anticipated end date is June 10, 2027. Applicants must submit a resume and a cover letter describing how their qualifications and experience have prepared them for the position. The position requires a criminal history check and other applicable pre-employment screening.

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 Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens certifications within 90 days of hire.
• 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 frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist, and sit on the floor or child-sized furniture.
• Ability to move quickly through classrooms, playgrounds, and other program environments to ensure child safety and respond to behavioral emergencies.
• Ability to lift, carry, or assist in moving up to 50 pounds when necessary.
• 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 respond appropriately, physically and emotionally, during crisis situations involving children, families, or staff.
• Successfully complete required criminal history and other applicable pre-employment checks.

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 PBIS and Pyramid Model practices.
• Conduct formal, objective classroom observations of children with persistent or intensive behavioral challenges.
• Maintain accurate and confidential behavioral records; document, track, and analyze child behavior data using approved systems such as ChildPlus.
• Partner with parents and caregivers to share behavioral insights, gather 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 prevent suspensions and expulsions through proactive behavioral support and classroom management.
• Respond to behavioral, medical, and safety-related emergencies and implement approved de-escalation and safety procedures.

What This Job Offers

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