Behavioral Aide

Job Description

Job Description

Would you like to work for a non-profit organization where your contributions make a major impact on the lives of children and families?

Elk Hill's private day schools prioritize individual student needs to enhance social and emotional well-being, enabling students to engage effectively with the academic curriculum. At Elk Hill, we believe every child is unique and deserves a secure, caring, and a safe environment to grow and mature. We provide intensive services tailored to students' social, emotional, and academic needs, utilizing specific strategies and tools to foster a sense of well-being. This approach ensures students are ready for blended learning opportunities, including computer-based, small group, and large group settings.

Elk Hill was honored as a 2026 Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace.  These awards are based solely on employee feedback and recognize the great culture that exists at every level of the organization.

If you want to work for a Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace organization where your decisions can impact youth and families of Central Virginia, then  Elk Hill Farm, Inc. is the place for you!

We are an organization that:

• Is honored as a 2026 Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace
• Is a Top Workplace Meaningfulness Award recipient
• Has talented, hardworking employees
• Advocates for mental health issues
• Offers competitive benefits, pay, and pet insurance for full-time staff
• Provides a generous time-off and holiday package
• Offers a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match for full-time staff
• Provides tuition assistance
• Elk Hill is celebrating 50+ years of supporting youth and families across the Commonwealth of Virginia! Stability. Adaptability. Longevity.

Primary Functions of a Behavioral Aide:

To assist in creating an environment that enables students to make positive changes in emotional regulation and behavior through coaching, modeling, and support throughout the school day.

Responsibilities of a Behavioral Aide:

• Teach, model and coach students in the use of effective behavioral-emotional strategies.
• Effectively manage student escalation and crisis situations, including the appropriate use of the facility’s Behavior Management Program.
• Always maintain a high standard of supervision of students, including monitoring hallway activity.
• Assist in problem-solving/conflict resolution with students.
• Collaborate with teachers, counselors, and Dean of Students regarding student behavior.
• Work with the Dean of Students and/or Head of School to determine and implement consequences for students.
• Provide assistance in classrooms when extra coverage is necessary.
• Build positive, healthy, caring relationships with students, maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Model high professional standards in interactions with students, families, staff members, and placing agency personnel.
• Facilitate recreational activities.
• Accurately complete data collection and reporting regarding student behavior within required deadlines.
• Timely, professionally written completion of student monthly reports.
• Complete VDOE continuing education requirements, as well as other trainings assigned by the Head of School or Dean of Students, within required deadlines.
• Work cooperatively with staff to improve the quality of the total program.
• Work to promote an atmosphere of openness, honesty, and understanding among students, staff, and others associated with Elk Hill.
• Demonstrate a high level of competence, motivation, and commitment as a staff member.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity and the impact of various socioeconomic characteristics on student behavior.
• Medication management, as needed or required or assigned, provided appropriate training has taken place. 
• Perform other duties, as assigned

Core Competencies and Experience

• The temperament to work with, and care for, children and families with special needs
• Must demonstrate sensitivity to Elk Hill’s service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics
• Sense of humor and ability to be flexible
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to write accurate and complete descriptions of a student’s day and provide timely and professionally written documentation for student reports and other correspondence
• Experience working with youth preferred

Credentials and/or Education: 

• High School diploma required 
• Experience working with students or other youth with various backgrounds including ED, SLD, OHI, Autism and/or ID preferred
• Must have up-to-date certification in the facility’s Behavior Management Program and have the willingness and ability to apply such skills as needed and/or required in the day-to-day interactions with youth
• Must have up-to-date certifications in approved courses for CPR/First Aid
• Must have a valid certificate in an approved medication aide training class ONLY IF providing medication management services. 
• Maintain valid driver's license and good driving record – preferred.
• Maintain certification in REVIVE! Naloxone administration training (or similar) and be willing to administer naloxone in the event of a suspected opioid overdose

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability and willingness to physically perform all functions of the facility’s Behavior Management Program
• Good physical health 
• Ability to traverse inside and outside of the property including uneven terrain 
• Periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds, regularly lift up to 15 pounds

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Periodic transportation of a client as needed or required
• Periodic travel to other locations as needed or required

Inclusive culture is at the forefront of what we do at Elk Hill, and we enforce respectful communication and cooperation between all. Elk Hill does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. It is the policy of Elk Hill to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or candidate with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship for Elk Hill. Contact Human Resources for more information. 

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities or actions may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Elk Hill Farm, Inc. reserves the right to change or reassign job duties or combine positions at any time.