Behavior Specialist I .8 FTE (6 hrs 24 minutes per day / 10 months)

Responsibilities

• Assist students and staff in the promotion and utilization of positive behavioral strategies; assist students with language, social, motor skill, learning, and/or behavioral disabilities.
• Provide information to certificated teachers regarding individual student needs; provide students with contact to positive stimuli and reinforcement.
• Aid in the maintenance of a variety of reports relating to student assessments, participation, and progress; assist with the compilation of instructional and behavioral data, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) data; provide recommendations of appropriate academic placements to the proper personnel.
• Provide behavioral health services and assist a certificated teacher in reinforcing instruction to individual students with language, social, motor skill, learning, and/or behavioral disabilities; assist assigned teacher with implementation of education plans; confer with the teacher concerning education plans, health conditions, lesson plans, student progress, behavior, and materials to meet student needs.
• Maintain and oversee student drills, practices, and assignments in various subjects; assist assigned teacher with the implementation of lesson plans; assist students by answering questions, providing proper examples, emotional support, friendly attitude, and general guidance.
• Aid students in completing classroom assignments, homework, and projects in various subject areas; ensure student understanding of classroom rules and procedures; report progress regarding student performance and behavior.
• Aid students with personal hygiene; assist students with performing eating activities; toilet students and change diapers and soiled clothing as required.
• Aid students with communication, cognitive, and sensory perception skills; read books to students and observe their reading abilities as assigned; assist students with word pronunciation and recognition; assist students with the development of social and independent living skills.
• Aid students with developing motor skills and related exercises as directed; assist students with physical education activities; escort students to and from classes; push students in wheelchair; lift students in and out of wheelchair and orthopedic equipment and position students; load and unload students on buses as assigned.
• Explain and ensure student understanding of classroom assignments and homework instructions; explain words and concepts as necessary; assist students with meeting educational goals and objectives.
• Aid in the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; maintain learning environment in a safe, orderly manner.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of: Child guidance principles and practices related to students with language, social, motor skill, learning, and/or behavioral disabilities. Problems and concerns of students with special behavioral needs. Basic subjects taught in local schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language and reading. Basic instructional methods and techniques. Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Safe practices in classroom, therapeutic and physical activities. Oral and written communication skills. Oral and written communication skills. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. Basic record-keeping and report preparation techniques. First aid and CPR procedures.
• Ability to: Provide behavioral health services and assist with instruction and related activities in a classroom or assigned learning environment. Assist assigned teacher with reinforcing instruction and the implementation of Educational plans. Assist students in behavioral therapy, developing social skills and related activities. Assist students with communications, cognitive and behavioral skills. Understand and relate to students with special needs. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Demonstrate an understanding, patient and receptive attitude toward students with behavioral disabilities. Observe health and safety regulations. Maintain confidentiality. Maintain records and prepare routine reports. Administer first aid and CPR.

Education and Experience

• Any combination equivalent to: bachelor’s degree in special education or related field and one year experience working with special education students in an organized setting including some work with handicapped students.