Behavior Support Specialist, Preschool

Elwyn; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 34,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health benefits

Earned wage access

On-the-job training

Tuition reimbursement

Career advancement

Flexible schedules

Retirement plan

Job summary

Elwyn seeks a Behavior Support Specialist to ensure students on caseload meet academic goals through intensive behavior support and ABA programming aligned with IEPs. The BSS serves as the primary resource for social skills and executive functioning in school-based settings, both in-person and via distance/virtual instruction.

Responsibilities include developing ABA programs, training staff and families, and maintaining documentation to track progress and effectiveness of interventions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, special education, early childhood, psychology, or a related field preferred.
• Two (2) years’ experience providing behavioral support to school-age children with special needs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ABA concepts and data collection practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and implement curriculum objectives and behavior intervention plans as per IEPs.
• Develop ABA programs for assigned children and monitor progress.
• Provide training and support to staff and families on ABA techniques and behavior support.

Skills

ABA techniques

Data collection

Team collaboration

Time management

CPR & crisis intervention

Education

Bachelor’s degree in education or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Pay Range: $25 to $36.50 per Hour based on level of experience

Schedule; Mon-Fri 8am to 4pm

Join a Team That Changes Lives

For more than 170 years, Elwyn has been leading the way in supporting children, teens, and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we’re here to create real change – helping people lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Now, we’re looking for passionate team members to join us. Here, your work will change lives – including your own. You’ll make an impact every day, find purpose in what you do, and grow in a career that truly matters.

At Elwyn, we take care of you while you care for others. We offer:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit Packages
• Earned Wage Access/On-Demand Pay
• Paid On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career Advancement Opportunities and Growth
• Flexible Schedules
• Retirement Savings Plan

Job Description

Elwyn seeks a Behavior Support Specialist (BSS) that ensures that all students on their caseload demonstrate academic progress and achieve their full potential by providing overseeing and implementing curriculum objectives, programs, and behavior intervention plans and strategies through intensive behavior support and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) programming to address behavioral goals as forth in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The BSS is the primary resource for social skills instruction, executive functioning support, and behavioral interventions at their assigned school in-person and through distance/virtual instruction.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee and implement curriculum objectives, programs, and behavior intervention plans and strategies to address behavioral goals as prescribed in the student’s Individual Educational Program (IEP)
• Develop individual ABA programs for assigned children
• Oversee implementation of behavioral procedures to allow the classroom teacher to focus on academic instruction
• Recommend needed changes to behavioral goals driven by reinforcement assessments through a point-and-level system
• Assist teacher in establishing and maintaining standards of student behavior to ensure positive classroom management implementation procedures
• Actively monitor students throughout instructional period and support students, families, and school personnel during transition(s) from virtual/distance learning to hybrid or in-person instruction as required to assist students in satisfying their academic requirements
• Serve as program liaison for families regarding in-home program support in collaboration with the classroom teachers for school-based interventions by providing community and school-based resources, guidance, and support for students and families to support students’ physical and emotional well-being
• Review evaluation reports and IEPs to assist school-based service coordinators and direct service staff in the development of appropriate service recommendations
• Provide training and support to school faculty, families, and Elwyn staff for implementation of evidence-based best practices such as functional routines, schedules, and transitions; Social Skills Assessment; and Positive Behavior Supports
• Schedule “office hours” and provide on-site, telephone, and email consultation regarding concerns and best practices in behavior support, ABA principles, assigned learning activities, and supporting the student’s educational goals to staff, families, and others as needed per the student’s IEP
• Maintain appropriate documentation, records, and reports including, but not limited to, a daily log of classroom support and family communications and collecting and analyzing data as required to chronicle services delivered, measure their effectiveness, and monitor student progress towards behavioral goals
• Contribute appropriate developmental and programmatic feedback within scope
• Assist in development of staff training specifically related to ABA techniques
• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, special education, early childhood, psychology, or a related field preferred
• Two (2) years’ experience providing behavioral support to school-age children with special needs
• Demonstrated knowledge and implementation of appropriate assessment tools and practices for school-aged children
• Demonstrated experience with the concepts, principles and procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis including, but not limited to, data collection and record keeping systems, progress notes, and graphing
• Non-profit human services experience highly preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate IEP development and service delivery practices for school aged children preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated excellent judgment with the ability to independently solve problems and make decisions with little or no need for direct supervision
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needed changes or identify problem areas and take effective actions
• Demonstrated intermediate experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Must possess a current, valid driver’s license in the state of residence, have a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience within the United States, and have an acceptable driving record, which will be assessed through a review of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) record, in accordance with Elwyn’s Vehicle Operation and Driver’s Code Policy 905. For individuals licensed for more than two (2) years, the driving record will be reviewed for acceptability based on the past three (3) years. Additionally, employees required to drive as part of their job may need to successfully complete and pass an Elwyn Road Test before being authorized to drive.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage and prioritize multiple, often competing, priorities
• Must be able to perform CPR and crisis intervention using agency-trained protocols
• Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
• 2026-6682

Equal Opportunity Employer

Elwyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Elwyn does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, pregnancy status, medical condition, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, handicap status, marital or family status, mental or physical disability, perceived disability, military or veteran status, political activities or affiliations, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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