The posting
Job Title: Special Education Behavior Specialist
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Reports to: Director of Special Education
Dept./School: Special Education
Days: 226
Pay Grade: AP-4
Primary Purpose: Provide districtwide leadership, consultation, coaching, and direct support in the development and implementation of effective behavioral practices for students with significant or complex behavioral needs. The Behavioral Specialist will prioritize critical and high-need behavioral cases, build staff capacity through coaching and professional development, lead district crisis prevention and invtervention training, support BASE and other specialized behavior programming, and assist the district in maintining compliance with federal, state, and district requirements and evidence-based practices related to behavior intervention, restraint, and crisisi response.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification
- Valid Texas teaching certification; Special Education certification preferred
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university preferred
- CPI Trainer, BCBA, or related behavioral certification preferred
- Candidate must have a satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50.00) paid by the employee
Special Knowledge/Skills
- Strong knowledge of behavior intervention, classroom management, de-escalation, and crisis prevention
- Knowledge of FBAs, BIPs, data collection, and evidence-based behavior practices
- Knowledge of IDEA, ARD/IEP processes, discipline, restraint, and Texas special education requirements
- Ability to support students with significant behavioral needs and specialized behavior programs, including BASE
- Strong skills in staff training, coaching, modeling, and building campus capacity
- Strong communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and data-monitoring skills
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of special education experience, preferably supporting students with significant behavioral needs
- Experience developing and implementing FBAs, BIPs, and behavioral interventions
- Experience providing staff training, coaching, or crisis intervention support preferred
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Behavioral Intervention and Critical Case Support
- Serve as district-level resource for critical, complex, and high-priority behavioral cases, providing consultation, observation, coaching, and direct campus support.
- Collaborate with administrators, teachers, evaluation staff, related service providers, and families to develop, implement, and monitor research-based behavioral interventions and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
- Conduct and/or support Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), including observations, data collection, identification of behavioral functions, and development of function-based interventions.
- Assist campus teams in identifying and implementing appropriate behavioral supports and interventions prior to considering more restrictive programming or placement.
- Participate in ARD meetings, manifestation determinatiion reviews, staffings, and other problem-solving meetings involving students with significant behavioral needs, as appropriate.
BASE and Specialized Behavior Programming
- Provide district-level leadership for BASE and other specialized behavior programs, shaping program design and implementation to align with evidence-based practices for behavioral support settings.
- Develop and promote consistent expectations for BASE programming, including classroom structure, instructional access, behavior supports, reinforcement systems, data collection, crisis prevention, and student transitions.
- Provide coaching, modeling, and technical assistance to BASE teachers, paraprofessionals, and campus administrators to strengthen program implementation and staff capacity.
- Review student and program data to evaluate effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and support individualized plans that increase student independence, access to instruction, and successful movement toward less restrictive settings when appropriate.
Crisis Prevention and Intervention
- Serve as a district leader for crisis prevention, de-escalation, and intervention practices, including CPI or other district-approved crisis intervention programs.
- Maintain required trainer certification(s) and coordinate and deliver district-approved crisis prevention and intervention training.
- Support campuses in developing and mainitng effective crisis response procedures and appropriately trained crisis intervention teams.
- Review signinficant behavioral incidents, restraint practices, and related data to identify trends, training needs, and opportunities to strengthen prevention and reduce the need for emergency physical intervention.
Training, Coaching, and Capacity Builiding
- Identify district and campus training needs and develop and deliver professional development related to behavior, classroom managment, FBAs/BIPs, de-escalation, crisis intervention, and specialized behavioral programming.
- Provide ongoing job-embedded coaching, modeling, and follow-up support to build the capacity of teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and other staff to effectively support student behavior.
- Develop behavioral resources, tools, procedures, and guidance to promote consistent, evidence-based behavioral practices across the district.
Compliance and Professional Responsibilities
- Assist district leadership in ensuring behavioral practices, specialized programs, crisis intervention, restraint, discipline, FBAs/BIPs, and related procedures comply with IDEA, Texas requirements, TEA guidance, district policy, and evidence-based practices; maintain required documentation and monitor district behavioral trends and data.
- Collaborate with district and campus personnel, families, and outside resources to address student needs, strengthen behavioral programming, and promote consistent practices across campuses.
- Maintain confidentiality, pursue continued professional growth, follow district safety procedures, maintian required records and documentation, and perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education, district administration, and Superintendent of Schools.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- None. Provides leadership, coaching, training, technical assistance, and guidance to district and campus personnel within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
- Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals, and other instructional equipment.
- Posture: Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
- Motion: Frequent walking
- Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may require occassional heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities, control behavior through physical restraint, assist non-ambulatory students, and lift and move adaptive and other classroom equipement.
- Environment: Work inside; may work outside; regular exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards
- Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
