Behavior Specialist

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education; Newark (OH); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education is seeking a Behavior Specialist to support a K-12 Special Education program. You will implement targeted, data-driven interventions to increase positive student behaviors and collaborate with IEP teams.

The role emphasizes proactive strategies, crisis de-escalation, and ABA-informed supports, with opportunities for growth within a nationally recognized organization and a student-centered environment.

Qualifications

• Experience with behavioral instruction for children, preferably in alternative/special education or behavioral health.
• Strong knowledge of ABA including FBA, PBIS and BIP.
• Ability to obtain crisis management certification.
• Experience supporting students with autism and related disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Implement targeted interventions to improve academic, social-emotional and behavioral outcomes.
• Reinforce positive behaviors and model effective strategies for staff.
• Maintain SBS and BIP documentation with accuracy.
• Collect and chart behavioral data for progress monitoring and IEP collaboration.
• Provide guidance to classroom staff on behavior management systems.
• Apply ABA under BCBA direction to reduce disruptions.
• Conduct FBA observations and develop BIPs.
• Assist teachers with activities, supervision, and classroom tasks.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation as needed.
• Document incidents and ensure confidentiality per policies.
• Address safety hazards and participate in safety initiatives.
• Attend team meetings, supervision, and PD sessions.
• Supervise students during field trips, lunch, and transport as needed.
• Take on additional duties to promote program excellence.

Skills

ABA knowledge

Crisis management

Communication

Adaptability

Multitasking

Documentation

Education

Associate's degree or higher

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database entry

Job description

Starting Rate: $23 - $25 /hour based on experience

Environment: Special Education Program, Grades K-12

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, is seeking a Behavior Specialist to join our award-winning Special Education team and perform meaningful work in a culture that welcomes innovation, encourages creative expression and offers limitless potential for personal and professional satisfaction!

If you thrive in a dynamic, student-centered environment, are driven by meaningful outcomes, and bring compassion, creativity, and resilience to every challenge, especially when supporting exceptional learners - We Should Talk!

As a Behavior Specialist, you will guide and assist with our school-wide classroom implementation of the positive behavior support program, increasing positive student behaviors. This position always focuses first on proactive strategies when working with challenging behaviors and is immediately available to respond to crisis situations with the ability to de-escalate students using CPI strategies, behavioral contracts and interventions documented in student's behavioral intervention plan, if applicable.

Responsibilities Include:

• Implementing targeted individual, group, and system-wide interventions to enhance positive academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and independent outcomes for students.
• Reinforcing positive student behavior, skillfully redirecting negative behaviors, and modeling effective behavioral strategies for staff.
• Maintaining accurate and comprehensive records related to student behavior strategies (SBS) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs).
• Collecting, analyzing, and charting behavioral data to effectively monitor student progress and inform instructional practices in collaboration with IEP teams.
• Providing practical support and guidance to classroom staff in monitoring individual student behaviors and implementing effective class-wide behavior management systems.
• Applying applied behavior analysis principles under the direction of a board-certified behavior analyst to improve student outcomes and proactively address disruptive behaviors.
• Conducting detailed behavioral observations essential for developing functional behavior assessments and creating individualized behavior intervention plans.
• Assisting teachers with preparation and execution of instructional activities, supervising students, and supporting classroom management tasks.
• Providing responsive and effective crisis intervention by promptly employing de-escalation techniques, prioritizing safety, and acting as a first responder to minimize disruptions to instruction and school operations.
• Completing thorough documentation of behavioral incidents and related reports, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with organizational policies.
• Adhering strictly to universal precautions and emergency protocols, including CPR, First Aid, and procedures for blood-borne pathogens.
• Identifying, reporting, and addressing potential safety hazards, actively contributing to the site's safety committee.
• Actively attending and participating in team meetings, clinical supervision, staff meetings, teacher collaboration sessions, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Participating in professional development opportunities to stay informed about current behavioral principles, strategies, and educational policies.
• Assisting in supervising students during school-related activities, including field trips, bus duties, lunch supervision, playground monitoring, and transportation support as necessary.
• Performing additional duties and special projects as assigned to promote continuous program excellence and organizational improvement.

Qualifications Required:

• Associate's degree or higher in a closely related field of study highly.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in education or a closely related field of study preferred.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining a registered behavior technician (RBT) credential preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company approved crisis management training.
• Prior experience providing behavioral instruction, guidance and/or support to children; preferably in an alternative, special education and/or behavioral health program setting.
• Highly skilled in working with children with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, emotional behavioral disorders and/or other related disabilities.
• Well-versed in applied behavior analysis (ABA) including functional behavior assessment (FBA), positive behavior interventions and support (PBIS) and behavior intervention plans (BIP's) preferred.
• Proficiency in providing motivation and having critical conversations with students that help move them toward realistic goals.
• Ability to think and act quickly and calmly in an emergency situation and make independent decisions.
• Solid motivational skills and willingness to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities and new initiatives.
• Advanced oral and written communication, organization, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem solving, and decision-making ability.
• Knowledge of relevant technology including experience with computers, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry and basic office equipment.

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education is the nation’s leading provider of alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. For more than 50 years, and in partnership with over 235 school districts nationwide, we have helped change the direction of more than