School Behavior Specialist

About the role

Sheppard Pratt School in Lanham is a nonpublic special education day school providing educational, therapeutic, and daily living services to students ages 5 to 21. Our tailored programs cater to individuals with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, and other health impairments, ensuring each student receives the support they need to thrive. Every aspect of our school is carefully crafted to meet the unique needs of our students. From the moment students enter our doors, they are greeted by the warm smiles of our dedicated staff and surrounded by sensory-engaging elements like bubble tanks and 50‑gallon fish tanks.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the timely completion of functional behavioral assessments and behavioral intervention plans on all children assigned to the Autism program.
• Prepare Positive Behavior Support and Management Plans, train staff in their administration, and reassess and revise plans as needed.
• Supervise Assistant Behavior Specialist(s) and/or Resource Specialist(s) assigned to program.
• Work with education and treatment team; serve as a resource to teachers, staff, and family regarding behavior support and management.
• Depending on credentials and licensure, may work independently or under appropriate supervision by a licensed professional.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in applied behavior analysis, behavioral psychology, special education or closely related field of study.
• BCBA and LBA preferred.
• Two to three years’ behavior assessment and behavior management experience with children and persons with autism or emotional disturbances.
• Experience with computer software, including Microsoft Excel and data collection and analysis.

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of behavior analysis, psychiatric terminology and diagnoses.
• Highly developed communication skills, both oral and written.
• Substantial interpersonal skills sufficient to work with a wide range of students and staff members under challenging circumstances (51‑80% of the time) and to present a model of patience, warmth, and empathy.
• Analytical and organizational abilities sufficient to conduct behavior assessments, establish behavioral data collection methods and standards, review, analyze, and report data, and assess the need for staff training.
• Frequent exposure (21‑50% of the time) to mental strain while working with emotionally disturbed children and adolescents.

Benefits

• A commitment to professional development, including a comprehensive tuition reimbursement program to support ongoing education and licensure and/or certification preparation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits for benefits eligible positions.
• 403b retirement match.
• Generous paid‑time‑off for benefit eligible positions.
• Complimentary Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Generous mileage reimbursement program.