Behavior Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST -MENASHA, WI

MISSION: "Chileda's mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with cognitive and behavior challenges. Chileda's goal is to help students increase their appropriate social behaviors and develop independent living skills, through an enriched learning environment and individualized behavior programming. Chileda's population includes children and young adults with special needs including Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Attachment Challenges, related developmental delays, and intensive behavioral needs."

SUMMARY:

The purpose of the behavior department is to help students increase appropriate social behaviors and develop independent living skills, through an enriched learning environment and individualized behavior programming. The Day School Behavior Specialist works collaboratively with the classroom teacher to ensure assigned students are working towards meeting both educational and behavioral goals. Behavior Specialists complete functional behavior assessments and develop positive behavior support plans using function-based interventions. Behavior Specialists ensure all students receive the best quality care while working on increasing appropriate social skills.

STATUS INFO:

This is a Full-Time, exempt position that works primarily Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

JOB DUTIES:

• Work collaboratively with the classroom teacher to structure the classroom to meet both educational
• Oversee the behavior plan implementation within the classroom environments and collaborate with the classroom teachers on behavioral supports for the education day and classroom specific behavior interventions
• On an as needed basis, perform Discrete Trial Training sessions with students if necessary per assessments and train staff on these procedures
• Analyze data and complete reports for quarterly Treatment Plan meetings for day students
• Train staff on implementation of behavior programs in the classrooms and perform fidelity checks to ensure consistency.
• Complete annual Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and present at student IEP meetings.
• Work with classroom teachers to ensure that behavior data is collected accurately and consistently.
• Develop and update Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs) using the information from the Functional Behavior Assessment and working collaboratively with other team members.
• Review effectiveness of PBSP quarterly and update at least annually.
▪ Create supports for behavior programs for the classroom environment and write social stories on an as needed basis.
• Utilize evidence-based practices in PBSPs such as visual schedules, Pictures Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), Functional Communication Training, Differential Reinforcement, etc. Integrate trauma-informed care approaches into all PBSPs, interventions, responses, and follow-up.
• Attend and/or conduct behavior in-service trainings as needed and review periodically in monthly house meetings.
• Collaborate with all departments throughout the organization in a respectful and positive manner while developing Functional Behavior Assessments, Positive Behavior Support Plans, or any other behavioral support.
• Respond to behavioral crisis situations and provide support and guidance during the school day
• Use de-escalation techniques and implement emergency interventions as a last resort as outlined in the student's PBSP.
• Monitor the use of emergency interventions for day students and work to develop plans to decrease the use of emergency interventions.
• Attend Case Conferences, 1st shift meetings, and any other meeting corresponding to students on your case load.
• Implement a Social Skills Group and help students understand their social roles.
• Implement and understand programs for all students at Chileda to aid in training and consistency of behavioral interventions during the school day
• Encourage and support students to achieve their goals through appropriate, consistent and patient prompting.
• Collaborate with students and families in the development of their behavior programming and advocate for the needs and wants of the students at Chileda.
• Recognize, take immediate action when necessary, and report unsafe or non-trauma informed conditions.
• Teach behavior modification trainings and ensure these concepts are being generalized into Chileda's daily routine.
• Other duties assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field is required.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and attachment challenges is preferred.
• Coursework or work experience in behavior modification is preferred.
• Understanding of functional communication training, differential reinforcement, and non-contingent reinforcement, antecedent-based interventions, social skills training, PECS, TEACCH, and general behavioral concepts and principles preferred.
• Must possess intermediate computer skills to operate Microsoft programs.
• Ability to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of and ability to train and implement
Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs) and behavioral goals.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of and ability to train and implement PECS, TEACCH, social stories, positive behavior supports and all other intervention strategies used to support student outcomes.