Education, Experience and Certification Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in education, special education or related field; equivalent professional experience may be accepted in lieu of degree
Master’s degree is preferred
Five or more years’ experience in special education, a psychiatric setting or other similar setting for children and adolescents is required
Supervisor experience is preferred
Training in Life Space Crisis Intervention, TACT 2 or similar crisis intervention program is preferred
Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities are a plus
Key Job Functions:
Supervise, coach, and counsel staff to ensure use of appropriate behavior management practices
Ensure the essential job functions of the behavior specialist are demonstrated throughout the program in order to secure a fully functioning clinical intervention program
Provide direction to staff during crisis and non-crisis situations to assist staff with improving behavior management skills and decision making skills; manage the need for additional staff in crisis situations and direct staff back to other duties when appropriate; facilitate debriefing sessions with staff to review incidents and identify person responsible for completing required documentation
Consistently and appropriately utilize and model TACT 2 verbal de-escalation and approved physical restraint techniques, Life Space Crisis Intervention (if trained), and behavior management strategies; provide staff training on behavior management procedures and program processes; maintain trainer certifications and conduct regularly scheduled training to ensure all staff maintain certification
Implement and ensure staff use of the point and/or level systems consistently; provide regular feedback, counseling, and coaching to staff on their execution of the systems
Conduct and maintain documentation on observations of assigned staff to evaluate staff’s knowledge, skills, and abilities, and to monitor program quality; meet with staff to discuss observations and develop performance improvement plans as necessary
Participate and contribute to the management team by actively participating in management meetings, sharing information and observations to improve school programing
Assist with the interviewing, hiring, supervision, coaching, progressive counseling, and termination process for Program Assistants and other assigned support staff; complete performance evaluations and individual goal creation and review for assigned staff
Ensure the expectations for learning and standards for classroom participation and behavior are followed; effectively manage student behavior through implementation of positive behavioral management systems, school rules, policies, and procedures, and model appropriate behavior for students during the school day; assist students with using strategies to decrease and avoid inappropriate behaviors
Actively engage with students and staff to identify potential conflicts or students who are in need of additional support; facilitate or participate in mediations, reentry meetings, and parent meetings; coordinate staff assignments regarding meetings
Ensure critical incident reports are completed, accurate, printed, signed, and submitted to the assigned staff within set deadlines
Work with teachers, therapists, school leaders, and other team members to determine the student and/or classroom needs, and adjust interventions and practices to best meet those needs; work with team to develop interventions and/or incentive plans when appropriate
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