Behavior Coach

Primary Purpose:

The Behavior Coach works directly and aggressively with identified students to adopt behaviors that substantially increase their social emotional and academic performance. The Behavior Coach will provide diversified strategies and activities specifically designed for targeted students.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree required in education, special education, psychology, or related field
• Master’s degree in related area preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• Experience working with early childhood for a minimum of three years required
• Experience working with children with disabilities required
• Strategic thinker, self-motivated, strong communicator, problem-solver, and empathetic required
• Must possess the ability to individualize to meet children’s needs
• Experience in providing training to adults preferred
• Must be willing to uphold the Head Start Standards of Conduct
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, possess the ability to work as a team player, enjoy a variety of activities, and possess organizational abilities

Working Conditions:

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
• Posture: Must be physically able to tolerate prolonged sitting, frequent standing; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting, and standing
• Motion: Must be physically able to tolerate frequent standing and walking, repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching, frequent driving
• Lifting: Must be physically able to tolerate regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may require occasional heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds or more)
• Environment: Must be physically able to work inside; tolerate frequent regionwide travel and occasional statewide travel; regular exposure to noise
• Mental Demands: Must be able to work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress; work prolonged or irregular hours on occasion
• Regular Attendance is an essential function

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Effectively supports student acquisition of curriculum and standards identified by Head Start.
• Assists staff in: defining and measuring behavior; understanding principles of reinforcement; teaching new behavior; implementing strategies for weakening behavior; and identifying antecedents.
• Works with individual teachers, groups of teachers and/or the entire staff on issues such as: crisis intervention, learning and collaboration issues, and factors that can affect development and implementation of interventions.
• Promotes highly specialized positive behavior interventions in which “at risk” students thrive: behavior instruction that is explicit, intensive, accelerated and provides ample practice.
• Uses ongoing data analysis to maintain a record of student progress.
• Develops a repertoire of assessment strategies consistent with instructional goals, teaching methods, and individual student needs to assess student behavior skills and understandings more accurately.
• Works cooperatively with building administrators to promote positive student behavior by providing professional development that targets research, strategies and modeling of instructional practices to support teachers in their implementation of positive behavior support in their classrooms.
• Engages in on-going professional development to increase knowledge and skills of positive student behavior support for all students, targeted students and students who are at risk.
• Engages parents in the “student behavior intervention plan” process and empowers parents by providing them with skills and techniques to support the positive behavior development of their child.
• Attends professional development opportunities to maintain high level of skill and knowledge of current research and practices.
• Serves as a consultant to administrators, teachers, and parents.
• Occasional travel, both within the region and out-of-region, may be required.
• Occasional work outside normal working hours
• Maintains a functioning cell phone and is accessible through this phone as deemed appropriate by the director. A functioning cell phone means that it is charged, activated, messages checked, and mailbox emptied regularly.
• Reports for work ready to perform responsibilities.
• Performs duties that directly and/or indirectly impact student performance in Region 16.
• Maintains a professional level of confidentiality regarding all ESC matters.
• Supports the mission, goals, and objectives of the ESC strategic plan.
• Upholds and adheres to safety rules and policies of the ESC safety program.
• Performs professional responsibilities as required by ESC policies, processes, and procedures.
• Manages time, calendar, and job responsibilities to meet deadlines.
• Meets proficiency levels of required technology skills as outlined by supervisor.
• Incorporates appropriate technology in daily work and exhibits continual growth in technologies as outlined by supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Annual Number of Work Days: 210