Behavior Services Program Manager

Behavior Services Program Manager

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 23 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, within 20 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 6,800 alumni to and through college and beyond. Our award winning schools are part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network, dedicated to meeting the needs of all learners and providing the social, emotional and academic support for success in high school, college, and life.

KIPP SoCal's Mental Health & Support Services Department is housed under the Student Services Department and works closely and in tandem with the Special Education Department. The Department consists of over 40 School Counselors (MSWs + LCSWs), 14 School Psychologists, 7 Behavior Specialists, as well as Mental Health Managers. Our department is grounded in trauma-informed and anti-racist practices. By providing interventions and resources, we support KIPP SoCal's mission of providing a holistic approach to learning focusing not only on rigorous academics but also character development, enrichment, social-emotional learning, physical and mental health, and affirmation of identity.

The Opportunity

The Behavior Services Program Manager oversees the Behavior Team which consists of 7 Behavior Specialists.

Leadership, Advocacy, Expertise

• Acts as behavioral expert and "face" of the Student Services team, providing consultation and guidance with regards to special education services, assessment, and IEP implementation as well as best practices in behavioral intervention and prevention
• Stays up-to-date with district, state, federal laws and policies as they relate to special education, behavior, discipline, and MTSS
• Makes evidence-based and culturally responsive recommendations for the inclusion of behavioral interventions and supports within schools
• Develops and delivers high quality trainings and presentations, both in person and virtually, to various audiences, including school leaders, student services team members, interns, teachers, families, and more
• Collaborates across KIPP SoCal departments to meet goals and deliverables (e.g. Special Education, Academics, Data, etc.)

Management & Hiring

• Acts as Hiring Manager for Behavior Specialists updating job descriptions (when needed), designing interviews and tasks, etc.
• Directly manages Behavior Specialists and the Behavior Team
• Supervise the implementation of behavioral supports and assessments
• Collaboratively sets performance goals, metrics, and deliverables to drive the KIPP SoCal mission and Student Services vision
• Participates and leads Peer Review meetings with the Behavior Team
• Evaluate the performance of all assigned direct reports through observations, feedback and coaching
• Creates & seeks development opportunities for the Behavior Team
• Maintains and reviews documentation
• May be asked to complete functional behavior assessments, when needed

Student Safety & Crises

• Like all KIPP SoCal staff, the Behavior Services Manager is a mandated reporter
• Consult with School Leadership Teams on behavioral emergencies
• Supports behavioral emergencies and is "on-call" when Behavioral Specialists are absent or unavailable
• Experience working with child protective services, providing consultation to school and teams with regards to mandated reporting
• Supports Admin teams with re-entry meetings for unsafe behaviors or hospitalizations, as needed
• Consults on the creation of individualized crisis plans for students with challenging/unsafe behaviors, as needed
• Be trained as a NCI trainer (de-escalation/ intervention)
• Facilitates NCI trainings for KIPP

Special Education

• Is a member of the Special Education Leadership Team
• Review and ensure IEP timeline compliance
• Oversees the assignment of FBA cases
• Serve as member of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and attend meetings, as needed
• Reviews and leads Peer Review process for FBAs and the Behavior Team
• Provides consultation and support for high-profile IEPs, attending where appropriate
• Provides training for Behavior Team around FBA reports and IEP developing (PLOPs, goals, BIPs, etc.)
• Assists IEP team in making recommendations based on all relevant data

Behavioral Supports & Interventions

• Sets the vision for the Behavior Intervention Team including, but not limited to: Providing training in best practices for behavior intervention; Assigning cases and managing schedules; Reviewing and providing feedback for behavior summaries and behavior plans
• Part of internal Nonviolent Crisis Intervention trainer team, collaboratively leading training for school-based staff for certification
• Supports schools with understanding and implementing MTSS and Tiered interventions
• Develop, schedule and facilitate Behavior trainings and Professional Development for Behavior Team and other KIPP teams (i.e. schools, cohorts, regional teams, etc.)

Trauma-Informed & Preventative Practices

• Works closely and collaboratively with Mental Health Leadership team members to ensure alignment across department roles
• Supports the implementation of HEART (Healing Environments And Responses to Trauma) initiative at KIPP SoCal Public Schools, particularly Tier 1 interventions: Implementation of Calm Classroom (mindfulness) across schools; Establishment of Calm Corners across schools; Integration of Social and Emotional Learning within classrooms (e.g. Ripple Effects, Quaver SEL); Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports
• Recommends and teaches techniques for supporting students' social and emotional & behavioral needs
• Subject matter expert for trauma-informed/culturally responsive behavioral interventions & SSPTs
• Supports School Psychologists in providing consultation and recommendations for designated schools' SSPT process
• Co-leads support meetings and training for SSPT Leads at schools

***Other duties as needed to support students, schools, family and Behavior team needs.***

Qualifications

• BCBA License, required
• Bachelor's degree, required
• Master degree in Behavioral Sciences, ABA or related field, required
• Minimum 3 years of management experience of school based team members, required
• PPSC (Pupil Personnel Services Credential) or Teaching Credential, preferred
• Minimum 8 years post-Master's degree
• Bilingual in Spanish, preferred

Ideal Characteristics

• Knowledge & commitment to anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Cultural awareness and agility, and ability to foster trust, communication, and culture change
• Demonstrated success working with students/families from educationally under-resourced areas
• Builds relationships and trust with ease
• Superb organizational, planning, and implementation skills
• Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple stakeholders
• Excellent written, communication, and public skills
• High proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Initiative, innovation, advocacy, leadership, resilience, and tenacity
• Experience managing and developing school behavior professionals
• Experience leading/advising complex and/or cross-functional projects and teams
• Able to stay positive through challenges
• Comfort driving between schools across Los Angeles (including San Diego and SoCal)
• Detail-oriented team player willing to roll up sleeves and get the job done
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP SoCal Public Schools mission and community
• Willingness to go above and beyond to drive the success of a dynamic team committed to a new future for urban education

Benefits & Compensation

• KIPP SoCal Public Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The salary range for this position is $79,200 to $118,800 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint of $99,000 depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budget allocated for this role.
• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50