Special Education Assistant IV - Behavior Assistant @District wide #5478

Mt. Diablo Unified School District•Concord, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Special Education Assistant (SEA) works as an itinerant assistant assigned to an Education Consultant and Behavior Management Specialist. The assistant may be assigned to a classroom or student for up to ten weeks, after which an IEP meeting determines whether additional support is needed or the assistant can transition to another student. Each assignment uses a performance-based fade plan to help the team determine when a student’s behavior has improved and services are no longer needed. Under the guidance of the Behaviorist Program Manager and the Department’s Board Certified Behavior Analysts (Education Consultants and Behavior Management Specialists), the assistant helps meet students’ behavioral needs by implementing behavior plans, advising staff, and modeling research-based behavioral techniques. The position supports students in crisis and helps maintain them in the Least Restrictive Environment. The role is based in diversified special education and regular education classroom environments and may involve supporting students who need physical guidance or restraint using District-approved crisis intervention techniques. The position is scheduled for 6 hours per day over a 193-day work year.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Either official transcripts showing at least two years of college (48 units) or an AA degree, or a passing score on the online proficiency exam; CBEST is accepted in lieu of the exam.
At least four years of District-approved experience working with school-age children and/or behaviorally challenged individuals in an organized setting, such as a residential treatment center, day treatment, or county setting.
Current first aid and CPR certification.
Knowledge of behavior management and crisis intervention training.
Successful completion of the Instructional Assistant Proficiency Examination and/or appropriate certification for the position.
Knowledge of basic behavior techniques and practices; techniques for guiding and motivating students; child guidance principles, especially for students with learning disabilities; basic school subjects; safe classroom and playground practices; English usage; communication; interpersonal relations; record keeping and data recording; and classroom procedures.
Ability to apply identified behavior techniques in school settings and participate in and implement emergency behavior interventions, such as Pro-ACT training.
Ability to learn and apply crisis intervention techniques for physically restraining students to maintain safety in specific situations.
Ability to assist teachers and staff in meeting the educational goals of students with identified behavioral needs.
Ability to demonstrate an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward children with special needs and to act safely and calmly in unexpected or emergency situations.
Ability to relate to students in individual and small-group settings; give and receive oral and written instructions in English; spell correctly, use proper English, and perform arithmetic computations; work cooperatively and communicate with others; and comply with HIPAA confidentiality requirements and use discretion.

Nice To Haves

Academic coursework in child development.
Specialized training in behavior management techniques and strategies.
Interest in working with children whose behavior challenges may result from autism or emotional difficulties.
Working toward the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certificate.

Responsibilities

Observe student behavior and assist with developing, implementing, and fading positive behavior plans.
Collect data and complete integrity checks of Behavior Support Plans.
Assist in training school-site staff on behavior management techniques and procedures.
Model positive behavior interventions and reinforcement strategies.
Advise staff about transitions or scheduling difficulties that may lead to undesired student behaviors.
Participate in team meetings.
Provide one-to-one assistance as needed to children exhibiting aggressive behaviors.
Intervene in emergency situations involving aggressive or uncontrolled behavior of identified students.
In collaboration with the site supervisor, participate in training, monitoring, and scheduling other paraprofessionals assigned to the Behavior Assistant’s caseload.
Implement positive behavior intervention strategies and emergency behavior interventions.
Facilitate social-skills playgroups with identified children.
Maintain records, follow lesson plans, and prepare instructional materials as directed.
Assist teachers in maintaining records and files related to student progress.
Assist in assessing students’ curriculum performance, excluding assessments for eligibility for special education and related services.
Attend required in-service sessions and special training related to behavior management, instructional programs, social skills, and other needs.
Attend IEP or other meetings as needed and provide input in drafting IEP goals.
Assist with meeting students’ IEP goals.
As required, assist with feeding, lifting, carrying, personal hygiene, mobility, and structural adaptations.
Supervise students for temporary periods of under 15 minutes inside and outside the classroom and in the community during teacher absence; assist teachers or other non-academic staff with supervision as required.
Establish and maintain positive relationships with staff, students, and parents.
Encourage each student to participate to their full potential and independence level.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Behaviorist Program Manager or Supervising District BCBA.