Specialist - Behavioral Support - Specialized Student Services

Mesa Public Schools; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Holidays

Matched retirement through ASRS

Health insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Mesa Public Schools in Mesa, Arizona, seeks a Behavioral Support Specialist to provide direct and consultative services to improve student behavior, climate, and safety through tiered supports within the district framework.

You will collaborate with site administrators, teachers, families, and specialists to implement evidence-based strategies, monitor progress, and build MTSS capacity across schools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, or related field.
• Arizona teaching or special education certification.
• Three years of experience in behavior intervention or related services.

Responsibilities

• Implements evidence-based behavioral strategies with fidelity.
• Conducts classroom observations and functional behavior assessments.
• Develops and monitors tiered PBIPs and reinforcement systems.
• Collaborates with behavior analysts on complex cases.
• Trains staff and provides coaching on MTSS and classroom management.

Skills

Behavioral principles

MTSS systems

Classroom management

Data collection & analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, or related field

Arizona teaching or special education certification

Three years of experience in behavior intervention, coaching, or related services

Job description

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type

Full time

Base Salary

$65,581

Pay Grade

Certified I

Calendar

9.75 month position, 220 workdays

Benefits

• Sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through Arizona State Retirement System, health, life insurance

Performance Pay

Available annually

New Hire Salary with Experience and Education

• STEP 1:
• Teacher base salary + $500 for each full-time year of certified or verified like experience.
• $65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max, $1000 for an advanced degree

Current Employee Salary

• STEP 1:
• Current certified salary/teacher calendar OR
• Certified I, II or III +/- difference (see MEA working conditions)

New Hire/Current Employee

• STEP 2:
• Add an additional $4,000

Job Summary

The Behavioral Support Specialist provides direct and consultative support to schools to improve behavioral outcomes, climate, and safety through implementation of tiered supports within the Mesa Public Schools Behavioral Support Framework. The position collaborates with site administrators, staff, and families to enhance capacity for behavior prevention, intervention, and data-based problem solving, ensuring alignment with district expectations for consistency, safety, and effective student support practices.

Key Responsibilities

Ethical & Professional Practice

• Implements evidence-based behavioral strategies in accordance with BACB ethical guidelines and MPS policies
• Ensures interventions are proactive, skill-building, and maintain a safe and orderly environment.
• Maintains confidentiality, professionalism, and accurate documentation within Specialized Student Services systems.

Behavioral Assessment & Intervention

• Conducts classroom observations and functional behavior assessments.
• Develops and monitors tiered Positive Behavior Intervention Plans (PBIPs) and reinforcement systems
• Partners with behavior analysts to elevate complex tier 3 cases requiring formal functional behavior assessments (FBA) or intensive programming.
• Supports classroom teachers in establishing routines, expectations, and data-driven classroom management.
• Reviews progress-monitoring data in order to evaluate and adjust interventions.

Systems Capacity Building

• Builds capacity of site teams to design and maintain proactive, positive, schoolwide behavior supports and prevention strategies
• Provides site coaching on MTSS and tier 2 intervention planning.
• Assists schools in developing data-driven action plans and tracking fidelity of implementation through the Learner Study process.

Staff Training & Coaching

• Trains staff using Behavioral Skills Training to implement classroom interventions and reinforcement systems.
• Provides modeling, feedback, and fidelity checks on PBIP implementation.
• Supports districtwide professional learning on classroom management, trauma-informed care, and physical management.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborates with administrators, counselors, psychologists, and related service staff to align behavioral, academic, and mental-health supports.
• Attends MTSS and IEP meetings as needed to inform behavioral planning.
• Maintains consistent communication with parents and school teams regarding intervention progress and student response.

Documentation & Compliance

• Documents session notes, behavior logs, and fidelity data
• Contributes data and reports for ADE or IDEA compliance review.
• Adheres to referral and reporting procedures defined in the established Referral Process.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, or related field.
• Arizona teaching or special education certification.
• Three years of experience in behavior intervention, coaching, or related services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, or Education.
• Experience implementing PBIS, MTSS, and trauma-informed practices.
• Certification or training in Applied Behavior Analysis or crisis-prevention methods.

Skills & Competencies

• Understanding of behavioral principles, MTSS systems, and classroom management frameworks.
• Strong collaboration, consultation, and adult-coaching skills.
• Competence in data collection, analysis, and visual reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to support diverse learners through responsive instruction and collaborative problem-solving.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based with frequent district site visits.
• Occasional evening or weekend commitments.
• Fast-paced, high-stakes environment requiring adaptability and responsiveness.
• Ability to remain seated for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hands for typing and handling documents.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Visual acuity for reading and computer work.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.