Behavioral Specialist
Position Description
A behavioral specialist is the individual responsible for assessing students with behavior issues, collecting data on the students, working with teachers, counselors and school psychologists to devise a behavior plan for the student and evaluating the effectiveness of the plan.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities of a Behavioral Specialist
- Compiles and interprets test results and assess special services.
- Determines behavior capabilities of students as they function at home and in school.
- Designs behavioral interventions for students.
- Implements behavior support plans.
- Measures goals and objectives of behavior support plans to ensure they are being met.
- Coordinates between teachers and parents to implement behavioral interventions.
- Communicates with parents and case managers in regard to students’ progress.
- Analyzes the behavioral interventions to determine their success.
- Assists students in identifying inappropriate behaviors and develop better behavior alternatives.
- Designs classes, programs and special curriculum to meet the individual needs of students.
- Records the progress of children receiving special education services.
- Monitors and adjusts special education programs designed for each child.
- Maintains records of students’ special education reports, services provided and behavioral data.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Must understand behavioral characteristics associated with behavior disorders, autism, intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and other behavior issues.
- Has good communication skills, both written and verbal, particularly with parents and education professionals.
- Has a basic understanding of instructional methods and education curriculums.
- Must have excellent interpersonal skills.
- Must be able to handle emotionally charged situations.
- Has the ability to train other people to apply behavior management techniques effectively.
- Has knowledge of and knows how to work with various support systems that are available in a community.
- Must know and understand state and federal laws and regulations associated with special education.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree
- Experience working with individuals with special needs.
- Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, special education, or social work.
Work Environment
- Time will be spent working in schools
- Must be able to travel to different locations.
Reports to: Building Principal
Contact with Others: Has regular contact with students, other teachers, support and administrative staff, and parents. Contact requires tact and diplomacy and independent judgment such as problem solving, interpreting policies and procedures based on experience, and providing counseling or mediation techniques as appropriate.
Other performance Measures: Good people skills are essential to the successful performance of the job. Following safety guidelines and policies are critical to the safety of the teacher, other staff and students. Adherence to district dress standards, proper attendance/leave policies, and other work habits are important to maintaining discipline and respect in an environment conducive to learning. Creativity, initiative and effective problem solving are important to delivering instruction in accordance with the Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Model and other state and district standards.
Physical/Mental Requirements and Working Conditions
In an eight-hour work day, the employee must sit, stand or walk for varying lengths in order to deliver instruction and properly supervise students throughout the school building as required. Employee’s job requires occasional reaching above the shoulder to write on a chalkboard. Job requires occasional bending/stooping or squatting/crouching to interact with students at their desks, on the floor or at eye level. Job requires occasional carrying/lifting up to ten pounds to transport instructional materials to the classroom from other parts of the building. Employee must possess manual dexterity sufficient to write on a chalkboard. Employee must possess enough visual ability to supervise students in the classroom, hallways and large areas such as auditoriums and cafeterias. Employee must possess hearing ability to supervise students and to interact with students individually and in group settings. Employee must possess speaking requirement enough to deliver instruction throughout the work day in the classroom and supervise students throughout the school building. Employee must have mobility enough to interact with students during instructional delivery and supervise students throughout the day. Employee must have mental requirement to deliver instruction in accordance with state and district standards such as Oklahoma Academic skills and the Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Model. Job requires working outdoors in various temperatures to supervise students on lunch or playground duty and during field trips.