Early Childhood Behavior Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

All Kids Academy Head Start is seeking an Early Childhood Behavior Specialist. Join our team in the mission to close the achievement gap by providing quality school readiness programs and comprehensive services to children, families, and communities in East County.

Summary:

Under the supervision of the Manager of Education and Home Based Services, the Early Childhood Behavior Specialist provides behavior management support to teaching staff and children to ensure safety and compliance of Head Start Performance Standards in the classroom. In collaboration with the Disabilities/Mental Health Services Specialist and the Mental Health Consultant, the Early Childhood Behavior Specialist (ECBS) provides hands-on support for children with behaviors that interfere with or limit their ability to participate and optimally learn in the classroom, routines, or pose a safety/health risk to themselves or others.

Hours per week: 40

Weeks per year: 45

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS:

• Group medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 6% employer match
• Annual 5% pay rate increases, up to the maximum step
• 16 Paid holidays
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Two paid personal days
• $1500 Tuition Reimbursement each year
• $1000 Service Awards every 5 years 
• Employer-paid Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary benefits: Life and AD&D, Accident Insurance, Short-term Disability, Critical Illness Insurance, and Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid professional development days

MINIMUM EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: (Any combination equivalent to)

1. Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Development, Child Development, or related field; and minimum of one year experience preferred working in an early childhood classroom and supporting children’s social emotional development;
2. Minimum of 12 semester units of Early Childhood Education or Child Development courses;
3. Knowledge and experience in working with Early Childhood Education; and
4. Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including the internet, and e-mail.

Knowledge of:

1. Training and experience in areas that include theories and principles of child growth and development, early childhood education, and family support; 
2. Child development and instructional theories and strategies; 
3. Social services procedures, policies, and resources;
4. MS Word, Power Point, Intermediate Excel and Outlook; 
5. Community resources and how to access services and maintenance of required documentation;
6. Standard record keeping including progress notes and maintenance of required documentation; 
7. Human behavior and motivation;
8. Head Start / Early Head Start Program;
9. Second Language Acquisition; and
10. Leadership skills.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Performs classroom observations of children referred for behavior and assists in developing Behavior Plans when appropriate;
2. Collects parent information, observation, and teacher feedback to determine strategies and behavior plan and utilizes the Teaching Pyramid to support children’s social – emotional development;
3. Utilizes referral information for children needing further evaluation for services and provides family support through the referral process; 
4. Provides classroom support to include classroom management and environmental interventions that support social-emotional well-being of the child; and
5. Supports teachers in the determination of age-appropriate behaviors and atypical behaviors.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must be able to drive to sites, other agencies, and trainings;
2. Must have the ability to sit for extended periods; 
3. Must be able to work at a computer for extended periods;
4. Occasionally must be able to stand and file miscellaneous documents in filing cabinet; and
5. Occasional bending, stooping and lifting up to 25 pounds. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Prior to employment, in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 as amended, employment candidate will be required to provide either proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish the candidate’s eligibility to be employed in the U.S. Head Start regulations require that no person shall work in any Head Start program until they have been fingerprinted and cleared through the Department of Justice.

AKA Head Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be denied employment, discriminated against, or prohibited from participating fully in employment opportunities for reasons of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), creed, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), age, gender, gender identity, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic characteristic, marital status, military or veteran status, medical or physical disability, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by federal state, or local law.

Applicants will be required to obtain a Health Screening, TB clearance, proof of immunization against measles and pertussis (MMR and Tdap vaccines), and background clearance prior to starting employment.