Pasco County Schools

Job Title: Behavior Specialist

Reports to:	Site Administrator
Job Group:	Instructional

FLSA:	Exempt
Job Code:	2002, 2045
Salary Schedule:	INST

JOB GOAL

Responsible for coordinating, developing, and monitoring the development and implementation of behavioral services and social skills programs for students with disabilities in accordance with District, state, and federal requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of those in this position.

Monitor, assist, supervise, and support students in the classroom and on campus throughout the school day, before school, and after school as directed.
Maintain a student-centered learning environment that is safe, organized, equitable, flexible, inclusive, and collaborative and accommodates the differing needs of students.
Foster a culture of high expectations for all students by promoting the importance of education and each student's capacity for academic and behavior achievements.
Implement student 504s and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) as necessary under the guidance of the applicable school and District staff; ensure all students’ needs are being met behaviorally as appropriately.
Monitor student behavior using positive behavior supports, maintain discipline in accordance with required disciplinary policies and procedures, and enforce rules, regulations, the student code of conduct, and District policies to foster safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and other members of the school community.
Record, prepare, and maintain reports and data regarding behavior and/or behavior plans, and other required reports; ensure confidentiality is maintained, as required by federal, state, and District policies.
Maintain open lines of communication with students and parent(s)/guardian(s) regarding student progress and information and attend parent/guardian and teacher conferences as required to support student learning and continuous improvement, including Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)/Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) meetings.
Refer students to the appropriate personnel when evaluation or follow-up services as required; provide information to students and parents/guardians as requested.
Administer District, local, state, and federal testing for students and ensure all rules and regulations are upheld and that testing conditions are modified as appropriate to accommodate learning needs; notify appropriate personnel when this does not occur.
Participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) and utilize a variety of data to evaluate behavior outcomes, adjust planning, and continuously improve the effectiveness of behavior strategies and implementation of FBAs/BIPs based on students’ needs.
Follow District policies and procedures concerning education, health, safety, personal information, and the wellbeing of students.
Maintain compliance with School Board policy at all times.
Maintain required certifications, participate in professional development workshops and in-service training sessions as required, attend required meetings, and keep abreast of current educational trends, laws, regulations, and statutes.
Maintain the requirements of professional responsibility and ethical conduct by fulfilling expected obligations to students, the public, and the education profession while adhering to all rules and requirements.
Take necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, materials, equipment, and facilities.
Provide support in developing/maintaining students’ daily living needs and medical needs.
Follow the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programming for assigned area of exceptional student education in alignment with District, state, and federal requirements and with the total educational philosophy of the District.
Participate in school-based intervention, evaluation, and staffing meetings as appropriate and implement student 504s, IEPs and/or FBA/BIP as necessary under the guidance of the applicable school and District staff.
Provide training for additional staff and parents/guardians on the goals and accommodations outlined in student IEPs regarding behavior.
Identify and collaborate with District, community, and agency services to meet the needs of students needing ESE services/supports, which includes referring students who need further evaluation or follow-up services and providing information to students and parents/guardians, as appropriate.
Update all necessary records accurately and completely as required by federal and state policy, District policy, and school policy.
Monitor and manage behavior assistants as assigned.
Facilitate and coach teams through the development and implementation of District-approved FBAs, BIPs, and crisis plans for identified students.
Implement and coach school personnel on research-based methods of classroom management, behavioral strategies, and intervention strategies.
Update FBAs and BIPs as required in accordance with established procedures, while modeling these procedures to other staff as needed.
Provide social skills instruction through social skills groups and individual social skills sessions; use preventative techniques with students, utilizing research-based best practice procedures and visual supports.
Conduct preference surveys to determine appropriate reinforcers for positive behavioral strategies as needed.
Collaborate with school personnel, agencies, and parents/guardians to coordinate individualized ESE services for students.
Complete all reporting requirements as mandated by District, state, and federal procedures (i.e. restraint and seclusion, assessments, behavioral data, etc.).
Participate in the development of IEPs for students by attending IEP meetings, providing data related to social, emotional, and behavioral needs and goals, and collaborating with other schools to assist with IEP team decisions.
Collect, summarize, and analyze behavioral data to consider patterns and how this affects student needs; ensure records are maintained in an organized and confidential manner.
Participate in the school’s problem-solving team if appropriate.
Assist with student crisis intervention in alignment with District procedures.
Follow the Exceptional Student Education program that is consistent with the total educational philosophy of the District.
Attend off campus events including, but not limited to, field trips, Community-Based Instruction, job assessments, and On-the-Job Training (OJT), as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws related to ESE procedures
Ability to use and model research-based classroom management and individualized behavioral interventions
Ability to collect, summarize, and graph behavioral data
Ability to work collaboratively with others and facilitate groups to consensus
Ability to effectively engage in the problem-solving process
Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, orally and in writing, including electronic media
Excellent time management skills and ability to organize, prioritize, and manage work assignments in an efficient manner and within established timeframes
Operating knowledge of computer programs, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based technologies and platforms
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the field of Education, or related field
Trained in applied behavior analysis or agreement to complete the District-approved training within a designated timeframe
Trained in District-approved positive behavioral strategies used to prevent or deescalate behavior or an agreement to complete the training within a designated timeframe

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS

Valid Florida Educator’s Certificate in an exceptional student education area, school psychologist, or guidance and counseling

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree from an accredited institution in the field of Behavior Analysis, Clinical Psychology, Emotionally Handicapped, Mentally Handicapped, Behavior Psychology, Social Work, or related field
Three years’ experience working with students in a similar position
Board certification as a behavior analyst or assistant behavior analyst, national certification as a school psychologist, licensure as a clinical or behavioral psychologist, or licensure as a clinical mental health provider

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, and hear. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds. Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Indoors and Outdoors: The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT

General office equipment, including personal computers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District’s approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be established by the District.

Performance of the job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the School Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Pasco County Schools will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.

Behavior Specialist; EST: September 13, 2011; REV: March 5, 2024; Board Approved: March 5, 2024