Elkhart Community Schools
Position Description
Position Title: / Behavior Support ConsultantQualifications: / Required: Current Indiana Teaching certification or a Degree as a Behavior Specialist. Minimum of Masters Degree in Education, Social Work, Guidance Counseling or Psychology. Indiana certification in at least one of the following areas: special education, social work, school psychology, or guidance counseling; documented experience working with children and youth with behavioral challenges, as well as families of those students; knowledge and expertise in the area of behavioral assessment and supports.
Department: / Student Services
Reports to: / Director of Special Education/Assistant Director of Student Services
Prepared by: / Cheryl Waggoner
W. Douglas Thorne / Date: June 24, 2013
Date: June 24, 2013
Approved by:
SUMMARY: Provide consultation and support to teachers and staff who work with students with challenging behaviors. The position involves participation on building intervention teams; consultation with staff in developing behavioral intervention plans; providing assistance in the identification and evaluation of students suspected as having a disability; working with staff to coordinate support and training to students and their families; and being available to respond at times of crises to the assigned buildings, staff, students, and families.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other duties may be assigned):
1. Work with student services administrators, principals, and staff in resolving problems involving individual students.
2. Work with building staff to develop and facilitate programs that address student behavior such as Positive Behavior Support.
3. Respond to referrals from assigned building administration regarding students with challenging behaviors or emotional concerns.
4. Act as a consultant to administrators, teachers, related services staff, social workers, paraprofessionals and others by:
a. Participate in the evaluation of students suspected of having an emotional disability;
b. Attend GEI meetings;
c. Attend multidisciplinary team meetings;
d. Assist in the development of appropriate Individual Education Program plan, specifically by assisting in the performance of functional behavior assessments and the development of Behavior Intervention Plans, for appropriate students;
e. Provide materials and training to building staff working with students with challenging behaviors, especially in the area of conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments and Crisis Prevention Intervention training;
f. Work with individual students and small groups in buildings where there is a cluster program for students with emotional disabilities, for the purpose of assisting those students in understanding their challenges, and developing ways to address and prevent problem behaviors;
g. Assist in screening all kindergarten students for possible behavioral/academic concerns;
h. Attend workshops and conferences to remain abreast of current best practices in the areas of mental health and behavior to provide staff development.
5. Develop effective professional relationships and communicates effectively with parents of students with challenging behaviors.
6. Coordinate family support with other building personnel such as teachers and social workers, as well as community mental health, physicians and other resources available to families.
7. Participate in case conferences as needed.
8. Share with parents/guardians appropriate information relating to mental health and behavioral issues.
9. Assist in planning parent education and training opportunities, as well as participating in parent support groups as appropriate.
10. Work to develop positive relationships with community resources, agencies, and physicians.
11. Act as a liaison to community support personnel by providing information and reports as necessary.
12. Knowledgeable and make appropriate referrals to community agencies.
13. Maintain a relationship with other behavior support personnel and experts in the area and around the state.
Leadership Responsibilities:
Assist in coordinating special education programs and services throughout the school district.
Qualification Desired:
Successful teaching and administrative experience in special education.
Success in an urban educational setting.
Able to work with a culturally and linguistically diverse student population.
Commitment to parent and community participation in school life.
Knowledge of current research on the best practices in educating students with disabilities.
Excellent communication skills.
Coursework in special education administration.
Qualification Required: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience: Required: Current Indiana Teaching certification or a Degree as a Behavior Specialist. Minimum of Masters Degree in Education, Social Work, Guidance Counseling or Psychology. Indiana certification in at least one of the following areas: special education, social work, school psychology, or guidance counseling; documented experience working with children and youth with behavioral challenges, as well as families of those students; knowledge and expertise in the area of behavioral assessment and supports.
Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of students, parents, patrons, and the general public.
Mathematical Skills:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Other Skills and Abilities:
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field. Ability to establish and maintain effective
working relationship with students, staff, and the community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and in written form. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive a car, stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
This job requires the ability to handle and balance multiple demands at the same time.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day.
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The individuals currently holding this position perform additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.
Behavior Support Specialist
07/20/16
/ttw
Page 1 of 3