Behavior Interventionist

About the role

As a Behavior Interventionist at Learn Academy, formerly known as Beach Cities Learning, you’ll help students with special needs develop academic, daily living, and self-help skills, social and emotional regulation, flexible thinking, language development, and motor development through applied behavior analysis (ABA), a form of play-based therapy.

Learn Academy is an accredited non-public school dedicated to serving students ages 5 to 22 who have faced challenges in traditional academic settings. Founded in 2009, our mission is to create a stimulating and supportive environment for students who have found conventional schools less accommodating. We use a structured program implemented in environments that facilitate functional independence and academic and social success.

Responsibilities

• Work with students with moderate to severe special needs in a Functional Academic Communication Social Skills (FACSS) classroom.
• Use applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to provide direct instructional support to individuals and/or groups of students.
• Provide structured support in social-emotional, adaptive behavior, social-skill, and life skill development, including toileting.
• Collect data regarding student(s) progress towards their goals/objectives as directed by the teaching and clinical team.
• Reinforce academic behaviors taught by certified staff and provide students with opportunities to practice.
• Assist students in community, recreational, school, and leisure activities under the direction of certified staff.
• Implement district-approved techniques for verbal de-escalation and safe physical restraint.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and required by the building administration and certified staff.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.
• 1-2 years’ experience working with children with moderate to severe disabilities in a special needs educational setting, including experience with toileting.
• Ability to collaborate and receive feedback, mentoring, and direction from peers and supervisors.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining a professional and clinical perspective, without internalizing or personalizing student behaviors or mannerisms.
• Demonstrated experience using physical ability and dexterity to safely and effectively use crisis management interventions (including therapeutic holds).

Physical requirements vary and are based on specific student assignments. You may be asked to engage in any of the following: lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, stoop, reach, stand, kneel, squat, sit, walk, lift, pull, and grasp for extended periods of time.

Characteristics we look for

• A genuine desire to help make a difference in the lives of children with special needs.
• A steady supply of compassion, empathy, enthusiasm, kindness, goodwill, and reliability.
• A willingness to learn about a variety of disability categories, learning differences, and ABA.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation plan with entry pay starting at $19 per hour and performance-based pay increases.
• Comprehensive benefits and retirement plans.
• Tuition assistance reimbursement (up to $2,000 per year).
• Referral bonuses.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 10-month position with unpaid school breaks. There is potential for Extended School Year (ESY) and summer school scheduling.