Temporary, Behaviour Support Specialist

Grande Yellowhead Public School Division; Edson; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public school division in Alberta is looking for a temporary Behaviour Support Specialist to begin duties on October 1, 2025, until June 30, 2026, or until the return of the incumbent. The role involves addressing challenging behaviours, supporting school staff, and conducting assessments. A Bachelor's degree in psychology or related fields is required, along with experience working with children with complex behavioural needs. The position comes with benefits such as health insurance and a wellness spending account.

Benefits

Health & Dental Benefits

Life and AD&D Insurance

$60/month Health and Wellness Spending Account

Qualifications

• Must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in applying behaviour analysis techniques is essential.
• Competency in working with diverse children and youth with behavioural challenges.

Responsibilities

• Address challenging behaviours and teach adaptive skills to individuals with difficulties.
• Assist school staff with strategies tailored to individual student needs.
• Support Divisional Psychologist in assessments.

Skills

Training in behavioural and emotional regulation

Experience with children and youth with complex needs

Calm and caring approach

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology/sociology/social work

Job description

Applications are invited for the position of Temporary Behaviour Support Specialist in the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division.

Location: Educational Service Centre - Edson, Alberta

Start Date: Duties to commence October 1, 2025 until June 30, 2026 or the return of the incumbent, whichever occurs sooner.

Hours of Work: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week

The competition will remain open until a suitable candidate has been found.

Background

Guided by the Division's vision, mission, beliefs, values, and goals, the Behaviour Support Specialist reports directly to the Teacher Consultant of Inclusive Learning. A Behaviour Support Specialist is a trained mental health professional who has expertise in evaluation, behaviour assessment, and development of behaviour treatment plans for students with challenging behaviours.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Address challenging behaviours and teach adaptive skills to children, youth and adults with behavioural difficulties such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder and/or intellectual disabilities based on the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
• Assist school staff to establish routines, reinforcement strategies, and other best practices in the field to fit the individualized needs of a student within their school community.
• Analyse and interpret educational and/or behavioural assessments and other assessments and provide programming suggestions.
• Support the Divisional Psychologist with assessments.
• Other duties as assigned in collaboration with the Teacher Consultant of Inclusive Learning, including organizing and/or delivering system or school-level professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology / sociology / social work, etc.
• Training / expertise in behavioural and emotional regulation and/or applied behaviour analysis, etc.
• Related experience working with children and youth with complex needs and behavioural challenges, preferably in an education environment.
• Experience and competency in a calm, caring, trauma-informed approach centered around patience and understanding of diversity.
• The nature of this position will require travel within the Division; mileage reimbursement at the Division approved rate.

Benefits

• Schedule follows the School Division Calendar.
• Health & Dental Benefits, 100% employer premium contribution.
• Life and AD&D Insurance, Extended Disability Insurance.
• $60 per month allocation to a combined Health and Wellness Spending Account.
• Salary is based upon a review of the candidate’s relevant education and experience.

The Schools

Please visit http://www.gypsd.ca for more information about our schools.

The Division

Grande Yellowhead Public School Division (GYPSD) stretches from Jasper National Park, east to Evansburg, south of Cadomin, and northwest to Grande Cache. The jurisdiction includes 17 schools, 5 Learning Connection Centres, approximately 5000 students and 600 staff. The Division is governed by seven elected Trustees.

The Board’s Priorities Are

• Student Learning
• Teacher, Support Staff and Leader Excellence
• Community Engagement
• System Health and Wellness

GYPSD schools offer a broad range of K-12 programs. Principals focus on strong instructional leadership using generative dialogue to support teacher growth and supervision.

The Division is noted for its commitment to strong literacy practices infused across the curriculum, inclusive education and for its innovative technology programs.

Applications

Please submit a cover letter and resume along with a copy of all relevant transcripts. Resume must highlight professional qualifications, relevant training and experience, and three current references that provide permission to contact.

In accordance with Board Policy, the successful applicant will be required to provide the following:

• A Vulnerable Sector Check.
• A Child Intervention Record Check.

Thank you in advance to all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.