Behavior Therapy Assistant

San Bruno Park is a linguistically and culturally diverse school district in the San Francisco Bay Area. Located at the northern tip of Silicon Valley and just 10 miles south of San Francisco, this small preschool to grade 8 district serves four elementary schools and one middle school. The city is a hub for tech and innovation, home to companies like YouTube and Walmart.com, and offers diverse geography from urban flatlands to expansive greenspaces and sweeping Bay vistas. The district is financially strong due to new and increasing revenue sources, including a recent facilities bond to rebuild aging infrastructure. The San Bruno Park Board of Directors recently approved a 9.5% raise over two years for all educators, demonstrating its commitment to attract and retain talented staff.

About the role

Under the direction of the Behavior Therapist, the Behavioral Therapy Assistant (BTA) assists in the instruction and supervision of individual and groups of students. Support may include teaching replacement behaviors, managing difficult behaviors, facilitating student peer interactions, and other supports as assigned. The BTA may work in special and/or general education classrooms; positions may be fixed or variable throughout the school day and year, dependent on student needs. Students may become physical—evasion and physical intervention may be required. Although most work is performed on a school site, the BTA may be required to attend field trips and other class activities.

Responsibilities

• Implement student behavior interventions which may include principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Integrated Play Groups, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), or other methodologies deemed appropriate by the District
• Implement instructional and behavioral programs as developed by the Behavior Specialist or Mental Health Specialist and IEP Team, including but not limited to academics, social/emotional curriculum and skills, compliance, attention, and toileting
• Assist Behavior Specialist in providing direction, training, modeling, and consultation to classroom teachers, support staff, and parents
• Collect data as directed by the Behavior Specialist
• Monitor goals and objectives for each student
• Facilitate play and social interaction
• Participate in regular student planning meetings to coordinate behavioral therapy goals with the total educational program
• Attend ongoing training as requested and provided by District
• Substitute for para-professionals as needed and requested by District

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Education, Social Work, or related field
• Background in Psychology, Education, Educational Psychology, or Behavioral Psychology is preferred
• Classroom experience working with individuals with disabilities including autism, emotional disturbance, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and/or behavior challenges; or some psychology/child development coursework
• Knowledge of (or willingness to learn) principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Integrated Playgroups, Picture Exchange Communications (PECS), or other methodologies deemed appropriate by the District
• Crisis Prevention Communication including the use of physical restraints and appropriate holds
• Effective record-keeping techniques
• Ability to work cooperatively with team members to develop and carry out recommended intervention plans, goals, and objectives
• Ability to improve performance; accept feedback and implement suggestions for change
• Ability to establish and maintain files and treatment logs according to established procedures
• Ability to apply appropriate therapy procedures in work with students while maintaining confidentiality
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions in English, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction
• Ability to read, explain, and follow rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Ability to complete assigned work on schedule and within deadlines
• Ability to be punctual and arrive at school sites when assigned
• Maturity and good judgment
• Neat and clean appearance, and professional image appropriate to the work assignment
• Commitment to professional responsibility, high standards, and academic excellence
• Good health
• Interest in working and helping students with autism, behavior disorders, emotional disorders, and related special needs

Schedule

• 185-day work year (regular school year)
• 5 days per week
• 6.5 hours per day, including a 30-minute unpaid duty-free lunch; specific hours may vary depending on site assignment start and end times

Pay

$32.65 - $41.69 per hour

Benefits

• Generous medical, vision, and dental plans (prorated to hours worked)