Educational Paraprofessional Position

Job Description:

Position: Behavior Specialist

Reports To: Director/Supervisor for Special Services & Building Principal

Start Date: August 28, 2024

Pay Grade: 4

Compensation: $23.24-$28.48 per hour worked

Work Year: 10 month position (late August - mid June)

Weekly Hours: Will vary (range 25 - 32.5 hours per week)

Daily Hours: Monday - Friday (start and end times will vary based on building assignment; includes 30 minute unpaid lunch)

Pending outcome of collective bargaining negotiations.

The Wethersfield Public Schools has multiple openings for a Behavior Specialist. Chosen candidates will be responsible for providing support - to one or more students throughout the academic day - in the areas of academic, social and behavioral growth and development. Behavior Specialists are critical to the student's ongoing success and will provide value through fostering positive relationships, communicating effectively with staff and students, demonstrating patience and compassion, maintaining confidentiality, always holding a positive attitude, demonstrating flexibility throughout the course of the day, and being one to establish/model the behavior and academic progress we seek in our students.

Duties of the position may include the following:

• Maintain a high level of fairness, respect and equity with students, families and staff;

• Demonstrate willingness to work with all students with various levels of functioning and disabilities including but not limited to: learning disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, ADHD, speech/language impairments, multiple disabilities, etc., across all grade levels;

• Consistently implement behavior plans to reduce client's socially inappropriate behavior and promote appropriate social behaviors, including skills in emotional regulation and problem solving;

• Effectively respond to and manage crisis situations which may include client physical aggression;

• Teach communication skills, social skills, self-help skills, and play skills through Applied Behavior Analysis principles;

• Work with students to effectively prevent discipline problems and promote relationship building;

• Implement and support behavior plans and strategies under teacher direction;

• Complete daily documentation and data collection notes in a detailed, accurate, consistent and timely manner; Collect and record student data adhering to the supervising teachers' directions and requirements;

• Provide personal assistance to students, as needed, to address mobility, positioning, personal care, daily activities, and utilizing the restroom;

• Facilitate students with developing communication skills, social skills, academic skills, self-help skills and promoting independence;

• Ability to be trained in and implement Crisis Prevention and Intervention strategies, including de-escalation strategies and physical restraints;

• As part of the daily work assignment, may be scheduled to ride the bus (before/after school) with students who require adult supervision;

Minimum Qualifications:

• Hold Associates Degree, have completed a minimum of 60 college credit hours, or have successfully completed ParaPro Assessment;

• Possess Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential and Trauma Informed Practices/Strategies training, or willing to participate in and successfully complete training in ABA/DTI Strategies and Trauma Informed Practices/Strategies trainings;

• Ability to work with all levels of students with special needs and disabilities in general education settings, and/or special education settings including WPS district's special education programs;

• Must have capability to follow teacher and related staff instructions in regard to work modifications and behavior plans;

• Ability to assist teacher in handling interruptions/emergencies, move swiftly, and hold training (or show ability to be trained) to perform physical restraint in case of emergency;

• Must be able to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds;

• Ability to participate on Crisis Intervention Team including certification or willing to participate in Crisis Prevention Training including the use of restraint/seclusion practices;

• Must demonstrate ability to sit up to thirty (30) minutes on the floor or in a child-sized chair; additional requirements may include carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing/balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling and crouching (note: generally the job requires 40% sitting, 30% standing, 30% walking).

All applicants must apply on-line at:

https://www.applitrack.com/wethersfield/onlineapp/default.aspx