Behavioral and Specialized Support Training Specialist (SY23-24)

REPORTS TO: Senior Director for ABA

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

Behavioral and Specialized Support and Training Specialist resides in the Office of Special Education within the Division of Academics of the Boston Public Schools, reporting to the Assistant Director of Applied Behavior Analysis. The Behavioral and Specialized Support and Training Specialist is responsible for timekeeping, Office Support, Administrative Support, Supporting the ABA team, District Training Support for Special Education, Supervision and Evaluation of Coverage Paraprofessionals (in collaboration with the Assistant Director for ABA), Supervision and Evaluation of 1:1 Paraprofessionals (in collaboration with school leaders), and Supporting the Extended School Year Program. Specifically, the Behavioral and Specialized Support and Training Specialist will manage payroll for ABA Specialists, Coverage Paraprofessionals, and some 1:1 Paraprofessionals; answer phones in the special education office and manage group email boxes for the special education office; Supervise and manage Coverage Paraprofessionals and some 1:1 paraprofessionals (as needed); support the ABA team; organize, plan, schedule, and identify spaces for Special Education Trainings; manage interviews, hiring, and payroll for ESY to advance the mission of the Boston Public Schools. The position will have a particular emphasis on special education systems and implementation support to increase the efficiency with which Special Education deploys resources to schools and support a smooth start and end to ESY every year. The POSITION will serve in a mid level role within the Special Education Office. The Behavioral and Specialized Support and Training Specialist will also be responsible for having a general understanding of the IEP process, all Special Education Supports and FAQs, and fluency with spreadsheets, data update, and analysis with regard to Special Education Policy and Practice. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Timekeeping 

• Manages Coverage Paraprofessional Timesheets 
• Manages ABA Specialist Time 
• Manages some 1:1 Paraprofessional Time 

Office Support 

• Answering phones, supporting Special Education families, school staff, and vendors to resolve any concerns that arise or triaging the person to the correct person to support.
• Management of group email boxes, responding as needed or triaging the messages to the correct person in the Special Education Office. 

Administrative Support 

• Coverage Paraprofessional management and deployment 
• Posting 1:1 Paraprofessionals and supporting the hiring process for this role ? Posting Coverage Paraprofessional positions and supporting the recruitment and hiring process for that role 

Supervision of Coverage Paraprofessionals/1:1 Paraprofessionals 

• Evaluates the coverage paraprofessionals (and 1:1s as needed) across the district ? Problem solving, including interacting with school leadership, school based staff, Assistant Directors of Special Education, with questions and concerns regarding 1:1 paraprofessionals and coverage paraprofessionals 
• Observing Coverage Paraprofessionals (and 1:1s as needed), providing structured feedback and direction 
• Writing up performance evaluations for Coverage Paraprofessionals in collaboration with the Assistant Director for Applied Behavior Analysis 

Training 

• Facilitates the scheduling of district wide Training 
• Ensures district staff’s certifications are current for Safety-Care 
• Facilitates the financial process of payment for Safety-Care trainings 
• Facilitates the reservation of space, allocation of resources, communication with trainers and those signed up for trainings and generally ensures that Special Education Trainings go off without a hitch 

Applied Behavior Analysis 

• Assists the Assistant Director of Applied Behavior Analysis with policy implementation, problem solving, and updating the student information database for services ? Serves as a liaison between The Assistant Director of Applied Behavior Analysis and various departments within the district 
• Facilitates system access to contractors and supports contractor program needs 

Extended School Year Support 

• Supports scheduling, management and implementation of ESY interviews ? Supports Hiring Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Related services staff, and any other roles identified as a need for that year 
• Oversees and inputs payroll for all ESY staff 

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED: 

• High School diploma/GED
• 1-3 years of relevant work experience 
• Experience with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint. Ability to utilize Google Suite applications. 
• Ability to work as a member of a team or independently. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Professional, able to work well with families, school and central office staff. 
• Strong communication skills: Ability to listen, sort information and communicate concerns to the Assistant Director of Applied Behavior Analysis or designee to support the prioritizing and addressing of problems in a timely manner. 
• Current authorization to work in the United States 
• An understanding of and commitment to gain greater understanding of what is necessary for an urban school system to enjoy continuous improvement in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. 
• A deeply held and unyielding belief in the overarching mission of public education. 

QUALIFICATIONS - PREFERRED: 

• Associates Degree or equivalent coursework. 
• Equivalent of three years working in secretarial or clerical capacity. 
• Experience working with Special Education programs and regulations 
• Extensive knowledge of Special Education and Federal and State regulations. Ability to provide training to other support staff regarding Special Education. 
• Strong communication skills. 
• Knowledge of EDPlan and/or Aspen SIS. Demonstrated skills with Google Sheets and Google Forms and Excel. Knowledge of budget and staffing procedures. Understanding of contractual and legal agreements. 
• BPS values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity. BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS' official languages: 

Terms: Managerial, C41.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, employment, or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.