Behavior Specialist

Behavior SpecialistThe Wethersfield Public Schools partner with the community and families in fostering our students' ongoing education in a safe and engaging learning environment. Our schools are demographically diverse and are characterized by respectful behavior, trusting relationships, caring educators/administrators/staff and continuous learning.Position: Behavior SpecialistBuilding: Various-any of the 8 schoolsReports To: Director/Supervisor for Special Services & Building PrincipalStart Date: August 2026Pay Grade: 4Compensation: $25.39-$31.12 per hour worked (per collective bargaining contract)Work Year: 10 month position (late August mid June)Weekly Hours: Will vary (range 25 32.5 hours per week)Daily Hours: Monday Friday (start and end times will vary based on building assignment; includes 30 minute unpaid lunch)Benefits: This position is eligible for various benefits including paid sick time, paid personal days, and retirement benefits. Please note that health care, life insurance and disability benefits are only available for work assignments of 30 or more hours per week.The Wethersfield Public Schools has multiple openings for a Behavior Specialist. Chosen candidates will be responsible for providing support to one or more students throughout the academic day in the areas of academic, social and behavioral growth and development. Behavior Specialists are critical to the student's ongoing success and will provide value through fostering positive relationships, communicating effectively with staff and students, demonstrating patience and compassion, maintaining confidentiality, always holding a positive attitude, demonstrating flexibility throughout the course of the day, and being one to establish/model the behavior and academic progress we seek in our students.Candidates must be aware the district reserves the right to move Behavior Specialists between assignments/schools during the school year at its discretion in order to efficiently support and service our students. Additionally, some assignments may require the paraeducator to be assigned to a daily work schedule beyond the student school day in order to provide necessary adult supervision for students at all times (i.e., bus ride supervisor before/after school).Duties of the position may include the following:Maintain a high level of fairness, respect and equity with students, families and staffUnderstand and maintain boundaries and confidentiality with students, families and staffBe able to work independently with small groups of students in various environmentsDemonstrate willingness to work with all students with various levels of functioning and disabilities including but not limited to: learning disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, ADHD, speech/language impairments, multiple disabilities, etc., across all grade levelsApply behavioral principles consistently in all interactions with clients and caregiversImplement treatment plans under the direction of a BCBA/BCBA consultantProvide individual support to students with identified behavioral concerns and needsConsistently implement behavior plans to reduce client's socially inappropriate behavior and promote appropriate social behaviors, including skills in emotional regulation and problem solvingEffectively respond to and manage crisis situations which may include client physical aggressionTeach communication skills, social skills, self-help skills, and play skills through Applied Behavior Analysis principlesWork with students to effectively prevent discipline problems and promote relationship buildingCommunicate and collaborate effectively with co-workers, teachers, community partners, and administrative teamImplement and support behavior plans and strategies under teacher directionComplete daily documentation and data collection notes in a detailed, accurate, consistent and timely mannerCollect and record student data adhering to the supervising teachers' directions and requirementsAct as a liaison between teachersAccept work direction willingly, shift work assignments and accept changes and new job assignments as neededConsult daily with special education teacher regarding daily responsibilitiesProvide personal assistance to students, as needed, to address mobility, positioning, personal care, daily activities, and utilizing the restroomFacilitate students with developing communication skills, social skills, academic skills, self-help skills and promoting independenceAbility to be trained in and implement Crisis Prevention and Intervention strategies, including de-escalation strategies and physical restraintsUtilize various forms of technology, including assistive technology, to support students learning and communication needsAs part of the daily work assignment, may be scheduled to ride the bus (before/after school) with students who require adult supervisionOther duties as assigned by administrationMinimum Qualifications:Hold Associates Degree, have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, or have successfully completed ParaPro AssessmentPossess Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential and Trauma Informed Practices/Strategies training, or willing to participate in and successfully complete training in ABA/DTI Strategies and Trauma Informed Practices/Strategies trainingsAbility to work under the direction of classroom teacher and specialistsExperience working with students with special needs; highly preferred individuals who have specific training and/or experience with students with significant cognitive, social/emotional and learning needsAbility to work cooperatively with administration, regular education teachers, support staff and parentsAbility to work with all levels of students with special needs and disabilities in general education settings, and/or special education settings including WPS district's special education programsMust have capability to follow teacher and related staff instructions in regard to work modifications and behavior plansAbility to review developmental and remedial materials in a clear and efficient mannerAbility to assist teacher in handling interruptions/emergencies, move swiftly, and hold training (or show ability to be trained) to perform physical restraint in case of emergencyMust be able to lift up to twenty-five (25) poundsAbility to participate on Crisis Intervention Team including certification or willing to participate in Crisis Prevention Training including the use of restraint/seclusion practicesMust demonstrate ability to sit up to thirty (30) minutes on the floor or in a child-sized chair; additional requirements may include carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing/balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling and crouching (note: generally the job requires 40% sitting, 30% standing, 30% walking)Typical Assignment Locations Openings and assignments may vary. Typical Behavior Specialist assignments include the following work locations:Wethersfield High School Alternate Day Program (ADP)Hanmer Elementary School STRIVE ProgramWebb Elementary School ABA ProgramHighcrest Elementary SchoolCharles Wright Elementary SchoolEmerson Williams Elementary SchoolSilas Deane Middle School Human Relations ClassroomOther work location as deemed appropriate and necessary by district administrationOther Important Details Candidates MUST be both trained/qualified to perform the work in the specialized classroom or on school crisis intervention team AND be serving in that capacity in order to be classified by the District as a pay grade 4 Behavior Specialist. While employees may be placed in that environment, they will not be classified and/or paid as such if they have not completed the required training. Similarly, employees may have completed the required prerequisites for consideration for placement in the role, but if they have not yet been placed into one of the specialized classrooms or specifically on a school crisis intervention team the employee will not receive the classification or associated pay. The District maintains the right and flexibility to move staff members between a pay grade 4 Behavior Specialist role and a pay grade 2 Paraeducator role, as necessary, in order to address staffing needs, staff qualifications, and staff member performance. The District will not arbitrarily reassign staff members, but rather will reassign only when student needs dictate a change in staffing requirements, a staff member demonstrates the ability (or inability) to meet all position requirements, and/or a staff member's performance dictates a change in status should be made. The District will make every attempt to provide advance notice should a change in job classification be required, but will not be limited to doing so with any minimum prescribed advance notice.All applicants must apply on-line at Public School System-Nondiscrimination Policy The Wethersfield Public Schools is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons and equal access to Boy Scouts of America and to other designated youth