Behavioral Specialist - 10 Month

Shelby County Schools; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Shelby County Schools is seeking a dedicated behavioral services professional to assist in preventing and intervening with disruptive and at-risk students. The role focuses on coordinating diagnostic, educational and therapeutic services while supporting teachers with classroom management and student wellbeing.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least two years of experience, plus a valid Tennessee driver’s license; master’s degree preferred for advancement.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field (school psychology, psychology, social work).
• Two years of related professional experience required.
• Valid state driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Plan diagnostic, educational and therapeutic service needs for students with behavioral needs.
• Design, implement and monitor behavioral intervention strategies.
• Provide crisis counseling to students, families and staff as needed.
• Assist teachers with classroom management and positive behavior support.
• Maintain records and prepare periodic and special reports.
• Collaborate with social workers and clinicians to coordinate services.
• Attend meetings and pursue professional development to maintain certifications.

Skills

Crisis counseling

Verbal de-escalation

Classroom management

Data gathering

Report writing

Collaboration

Professional development

Interagency coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree in related field

Job description

Purpose and Scope

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

The essential function of the position within the organization is to assist in the prevention and intervention of disruptive and at-risk behavior of students by facilitating behavioral services to students, families and educational staff. The position is responsible for coordinating diagnostic, education and therapeutic services; assisting teachers with classroom management skills; providing on-going and crisis counseling and assistance; maintaining records and reports as required and performing related professional and administrative work. The position works independently, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

Essential Job Functions

This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the primary job elements.

• Plans for the diagnostic, educational and therapeutic service needs of students with emotional/behavior disabilities.
• Design, implement, monitor and follows up on behavioral intervention/prevention strategies.
• Identifies and maintains cooperative working relationships with resources and agencies providing services and treatment for children with behavioral/mental health issues.
• Provides professional development and assistance to teachers of students with emotional/behavioral disabilities in order to strengthen classroom management ability, including but not limited to teaching positive behavior support and verbal de-escalation skills, providing education in mental health issues and medical management issues; collaborates with specialists in other areas to provide comprehensive assistance to teachers and staff members.
• Observes and reports on classroom management style of teachers and appropriateness of activities provided to ensure provision of a safe and emotionally supportive environment.
• Facilitates planning meetings of involved teachers, social workers and clinicians as needed.
• Observes students within the parameters of the classroom/school environment that have been referred because of disruptive or unusual behavior; suggests environmental changes for teachers to institute and implements interventions for students as needed.
• Responds to crisis situations in a safe and caring manner.
• Gathers information/data to support periodic and special reports documenting activities for areas of responsibility.
• Performs clerical/administrative tasks such as preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, sending and receiving faxes, answering the telephone.
• Attends or conducts staff or other professional meetings to exchange information; attends professional classes, workshops or conferences to improve professional skills and maintain certifications as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires education or training equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in school psychology, psychology, social work or other related field. Also requires two years of experience.

(PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED)

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED: Requires a valid state driver's license.

Bachelor’s Degree= 4 years plus required years of experience.

Master’s Degree=6 years plus required years of experience.