Behavior Specialist - Special Education Department - School Year

Behavior Specialist

Special Education Department

2026-27 School Year

Teach • Lead • Inspire

Be an educator in Albemarle County Public Schools

Are you looking to work in a school division where students are engaged in authentic, challenging, and relevant learning experiences, becoming lifelong contributors and leaders in our dynamic and diverse society? Then look no further!

In Albemarle County Public Schools, we work together as a team to end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children's success through high-quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds. We will know every student!

We are the first public school division in Virginia, and among the first in the country, to develop and implement an Anti-Racism policy with the expressed purpose of building school communities that share the responsibility to recognize and end racism, eliminate inequitable practices that result in achievement gaps, and support the unique gifts, talents, and interests of every child. In ACPS, "all" really means all.

Who We're Looking For

Teachers and Specialists are essential to achieving our goals of Thriving Students, Affirming and Empowering Communities, and Equitable, Transformative Resources.

Our ideal candidates are:

• Innovative, self-reflective, collaborative, knowledgeable in their content area and instructional practices, and are continually growing and improving
• Passionate about closing equity and achievement gaps
• Prepared to engage with our Culturally Responsive Teaching model in support of our Equity Mission Statement

Why Work in Our Schools

Here are just a few reasons why both new and experienced educators choose to join our team:

• Strong instructional support and mentoring from our building administrators, instructional coaches, learning technology integrators, diversity resource teachers, and equity specialists
• A wide range of professional development opportunities, including our New Teacher Academy and many other learning experiences held throughout the year for new and experienced teachers
• Competitive pay and benefits, including health & dental coverage, retirement, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, wellness program, discounts on gym memberships, and more
• The opportunity to work in a close-knit, supportive community where you can continue to grow as a professional

Location

Situated around beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia – which is consistently ranked among America's top university towns and best places to live – Albemarle County is nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park. Just 100 miles south of Washington, DC and 70 miles west of Richmond, it's only a short trip to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic beaches, and New York is an easy Amtrak ride away. Whether it's the great outdoors, a vibrant and diverse arts, food, and culture scene, or small town living with a big city feel, our part of Central Virginia has something for everyone.

The Application Process

Are you ready to join the ACPS Team and engage our learners in becoming lifelong contributors and leaders in our dynamic and diverse society? If so, then follow these steps to apply:

STEP 1: Click Apply for this Position at the top right of this page. This will add your application to the candidate pool for this position.

STEP 2: You will receive an email invitation to complete a short online assessment to help us learn more about your strengths as an educator. Instructions will be included in the email. If you've already taken this assessment within the past three years, you do not need to complete it again.

STEP 3: Continue to check our Jobs page frequently as new positions are added throughout the spring and summer. You need to apply for each specific position that you are interested in. Jobs are listed chronologically by posting date, but you can search by categories or by keywords like "teacher" or "counselor", and you can also sign up for weekly email alerts.

STEP 4: Our school principals and assistant principals will review your application and will contact you directly if they would like to schedule an interview. Time frames vary depending on the position and time of year.

Qualifications: Candidates for this position must hold or be eligible for a Virginia teaching certificate with endorsement in School Counseling. More information can be found on the VDOE website.

Questions? Email View email address on click.appcast.io

Full Job Description:

General Definition of Work: The Behavior Specialist helps coordinate Functional Assessments of Behavior and Behavior Intervention Plan that address students' inappropriate behaviors and provide a means to help the students become more academically successful. Behavior Specialist provides classroom and school-wide behavior management strategies with knowledge and skills necessary to assist individuals, groups and systems through the application of positive behavior supports.

Essential Functions: Utilizes knowledge of function-based intervention planning for developing behavior change strategies that focuses on reducing problem behavior and increasing more appropriate behavior; Completes effective Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), function –based interventions, and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP); Uses knowledge of assessment and assessment data to inform instruction and prescribe work plans for individual students; Researches instructional strategies and effectively implements them; Plans and evaluates strategies for improving instruction and provides needed support; Assesses and supports instructional and behavioral programs for students; Provides staff development and works collaboratively with teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff to demonstrate best practices, strategies and techniques to enhance instruction for students with social, communication, behavioral and learning challenges; Collaborates with staff division-wide to develop understanding of a variety of methods to improve student behavior; Completes functional behavioral assessments and develops behavioral intervention plans using evidenced-based practices; Assists with the design, implementation and follow up of behavioral management programs for students to remediate behavioral and social problems; Provides individual and group counseling to targeted students to include socialization activities; Plans, coaches and confers with classroom teachers concerning any behavioral, social or personal problems affecting the students; Develops and conducts in-service activities regarding techniques for remediation of behavioral, social or personal problems of students; Assists teachers with the development of safety plans; engages with families to plan for student success as needed; Assists in developing and maintaining home-school relations in crisis situations with students; Assists with the development and maintenance of program evaluation procedures; Engages in weekly data collection, recording and analysis for effective planning; Assists with case-management and team problem-solving with other behavioral specialists, agency personnel and other appropriate professionals on a regular basis; Demonstrates patience, respect, a receptive attitude towards students of varied age groups and understanding of the specific situation; utilizes consulting skills to assure implementation and maintenance of intervention plans; Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by keeping current with the literature and new research findings; Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of current trends and methodologies used to address the needs of children with behavioral challenges. Extensive successful experience in analyzing, assessing behavior, developing, planning and implementation of behavioral interventions. Experience in data collection, evaluation, development and implementation of positive behavior intervention plans; knowledge of tiered intervention frameworks; knowledge of current accepted best practices utilized in the full continuum of placement options for students with behavioral challenges. Knowledge of data tracking and collection, record management and reporting methods. Demonstrated understanding of differentiated instruction. Expertise in developing and providing staff development activities for individual schools and/or division-wide. Outstanding interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills. Strong problem solving and decision making skills. Strong time management skills and ability to meet multiple deadlines; ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision. Must have a valid driver's license.

Education and Experience: Must have or be eligible for Virginia licensure in K-12 Special Education. Minimum of five years successful classroom teaching experience in which the teaching of "at risk" and/or "behaviorally challenged" students with special needs is preferred. Ability to travel between sites is required. Working knowledge of Choice Theory, Restorative Practices, and Positive Behavior Intervention systems preferred.