Behavior Specialist

Spectrum Center Schools and Programs; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Telehealth & counseling

Life & disability insurance

Employee assistance program

401k retirement plan

Paid time off

Flexible spending accounts

Professional development

Growth opportunities

Employee discounts

School hours alignment

Job summary

Spectrum Center Schools and Programs, a ChanceLight division, is hiring a Behavior Specialist for our award-winning Special Education team in California. The role focuses on implementing positive behavior supports and proactive strategies to improve student outcomes across K-12 classrooms.

You will work with IEP teams, de-escalate crises using approved CPI techniques, and document SBS/BIP interventions. Travel between multiple sites may be required to support staff and students.

Qualifications

• Background in individual and group behavioral support within education.
• Experience with ABA concepts and behavior plans.
• Ability to de-escalate and manage crises using approved methods.

Responsibilities

• Implement targeted interventions to improve academic, social, and behavioral outcomes.
• Reinforce positive behavior and model effective strategies for staff.
• Maintain records for SBS and BIPs with accuracy.
• Collect and chart behavioral data to monitor progress with IEP teams.
• Support classroom staff in monitoring student behavior and class-wide systems.
• Apply ABA principles under supervision to improve outcomes.
• Develop functional behavior assessments and individualized BIPs.
• Assist teachers with activities, supervision, and classroom tasks.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation to minimize disruptions.
• Document incidents and reports, ensuring confidentiality.
• Follow safety protocols, CPR, First Aid, and blood-borne pathogens procedures.
• Identify safety hazards and participate in safety planning.
• Attend team meetings and professional development sessions.
• Support students during field trips, bus duties, lunch, playground, and transport needs.
• Travel between site locations to provide classroom support as needed.
• Perform additional duties to promote program quality.

Skills

ABA principles

CPI de-escalation

Data collection & analysis

Behavior modification

Team collaboration

Crisis response

Documentation

Classroom support

Emergency procedures

Proactive strategies

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree or higher in related field

RBT credential (preferred)

Crisis management training certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database entry

Job description

Starting Rate: $23.10 - $28.00 /hour based on experience

Environment: Special Education Program, Grades K-12

Spectrum Center Schools and Programs, 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.
• Traveling among multiple site locations during the school day to provide direct classroom support as requested by the Program Director.
• Performing additional duties and special projects as assigned to promote continuous program excellence and organizational improvement.

Qualifications Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent w/ passage of basic skills test.
• Associate's degree or higher in a closely related field of study highly 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.

Spectrum Center Schools and Programs is a division of ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, 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 240,000 student lives!

Learn more about our history, our mission and the program services we provide by visiting the link below:

• https://bit.ly/m/WorkWithPurpose

At ChanceLight we believe in providing more than just a job, as a member of our team you'll receive the opportunity to make meaningful impacts, the support needed to achieve success, and all the tools essential to reaching your personal & professional fulfillment! Your path to a truly rewarding career starts here – where growth, empowerment, and collaboration define our culture; and every day is a Chance to transform lives through education!

Perks and Benefits Include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• FREE Telehealth and Virtual Counseling Sessions
• FREE Health Advocacy Services and 24/7 Nurse Line
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Personal Protection Insurance Plans
• Cigna Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies Program
• Legal Services Insurance
• Pet Health Insurance
• Accrual-based Paid Time Off
• School Hours and Paid Holiday Schedule
• Extensive Personal and Life Event Paid Leave Policy
• 401k Retirement Saving Plan
• Perks at Work Employee Discount Program
• Opportunities for Growth & Development
• And So Much More!

If you're ready to start making lasting impacts on the lives of students and contribute to the creation of a brighter future — This Is Your Chance!

Join us and together, we can empower students to overcome challenges, build confidence and unlock their full potential!

Careers, With ChanceLight Work. With Purpose.

Copyright © 2026 ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a ChanceLight® company *Benefit plans and eligibility requirements may vary based on role and employment status.