Preschool Behavior Support Specialist $1500 Sign On Bonus (39628)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

Purpose & Impact

The Behavior Support Specialist performs professional work in behavior management of pre-school children, training and coaching for staff and parents, and case management including referral for psycho-educational and mental health services. Responsibilities include developing, modeling interventions, and monitoring the child’s progress while linking parents and families to mental health and/or psycho-educational services. The role involves collaborating with contracted mental health professionals, participating in Head Start/Early Head Start Quality Assurance efforts, and supporting classroom behavior support plans.

Responsibilities

• Provides parents support to access necessary resources and conducts in-home follow-up, monitoring, and training to ensure consistency between parents and teachers.
• Teaches effective parenting skills.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary case management team meetings, individual and staff conferences, health services advisory meetings, and other relevant meetings.
• Performs case management services through referrals to mental health service providers, psycho-educational services, and other community agencies.
• Assists teachers with understanding and implementing Behavior Support Plans.
• Conducts individual observations and assessments of enrolled children as necessary.
• Performs classroom-level observations at least twice per year (Fall and Spring) and analyzes data to monitor social-emotional learning and behavior management progress.
• Provides coaching support to teachers in implementing the Trust-Based Relational Intervention Model (TBRI) with fidelity.
• Performs crisis intervention activities when necessary.
• Reviews and supports Behavior Support Plans written for children with behavioral concerns by the Mental Health Counselor or contracted provider.
• Assists the Licensed Mental Health Counselor with behavior management training and on-site technical assistance to centers.
• Assists with processing internal referrals to the Licensed Mental Health Counselor and/or contracted provider.
• Monitors services facilitated by the Mental Health Counselor and/or contracted provider.
• Attends workshops, meetings, and required staff/parent meetings as directed by supervisors.
• Maintains strict confidentiality regarding children, families, and staff in accordance with policies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in educational psychology, mental health counseling, special education, social work, or a related human services field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Must complete Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner and Play Therapy certification training within two years of hire (cost covered by LSF with a two-year commitment post-training).
• Minimum of one year of experience in mental health services for children, working with pre-school age children with mental or behavioral disabilities, or implementing Behavior Support Plans for pre-school children.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English and other locally prevalent languages) preferred.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR within six months of hire.
• Successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check, and drug screening prior to hiring.

Skills

• Knowledge of behavior management techniques for the classroom and child developmental stages.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse parents, staff, and community residents.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of mental health and psycho-educational services.
• Understanding of low-income families, cultural differences, and group dynamics.
• Exceptional organization skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift at least 45 lbs.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Health and Safety

• Adherence to safety rules, including following safety warnings and using personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.
• Reporting unsafe conditions to supervisors.
• Following procedures for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.
• Ensuring active supervision of assigned children and following procedures for behavior intervention or therapy.
• Reporting unsupervised children after ensuring their safety.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 24/7 telehealth access to doctors.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employer-paid life insurance (1X salary).
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday.
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year; Head Start employees may have a different schedule).
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 3% discretionary employer match or 3% student loan repayment reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.