Classroom Behavior Specialist

Description

About our organization   

Since 1981, Options for Learning has been at the forefront of helping families break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives by providing tools to create a positive foundation for school, social, and life success. Our dedicated and passionate employees have helped our organization become one of Southern California's most innovative and progressive child development organizations, serving more than 9,600 children throughout the San Gabriel Valley. 

About this position 

This position is responsible for supporting staff within Options for Learning's Behavior Health and Wellness Department. This department provides direct mental health services, as well as classroom behavior and management support, to classrooms enrolling children from infancy through elementary school.  

The successful candidate must be able to communicate effectively, work both independently and collaboratively within a small, close-knit team, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. We are looking for someone with an upbeat, positive attitude who is eager to support the organization’s mission and achieve its strategic goals.  

What you’ll be doing 

• Working with the classroom behavior coordinator to support the implementation of teaching staff’s behavior plans and providing individualized training to teaching staff;  
• Assisting classroom staff to implement effective behavior management techniques with individuals and groups of children; 
• Providing proactive classroom management support to the teaching team;  
• Observing specific children with challenging behaviors to gather documentation of the effectiveness of the current behavior plans developed by the classroom behavior coordinator;  
• Supporting the implementation of the behavior plan by spending two to four weeks on assignments, depending on the need to fully prepare teaching staff with strategies that would address classroom behavior concerns; 
• Reviewing appropriate documentation and providing feedback as a member of the Classroom Behavior team; 
• Supporting the classroom behavior coordinator with the documentation and tracking of the services identified, delivered, and referred for children; 
• Collaborating with all members of the Center-based Programs and Education Support Services teams, ensuring that all staff receive support and training for children with challenging behaviors, and that the children receive individualized behavior plans; 
• Assisting managers, directors, vice president of center-based programs, and the chief program officer as needed; 
• Reading and implementing all organization and program policies and procedures; 
• Accurately completing all assigned paperwork and documentation on a timely basis, according to organization policies and procedures;  
• Working effectively with other team members; 
• Performing other related duties as assigned. 

What you bring to the table 

• Associate degree in psychology, education, or a related field; 
• Qualify for a Child Center Associate Permit or higher (in-hand permit preferred); 
• Two years of experience working with children with challenging behaviors; 
• Four years of experience working directly with children in a group setting; 
• Must complete mandated reporter certification training, to be renewed every two years; 
• Health screening and TB clearance, to be renewed every five years; 
• Must present proof of immunization for TDap, MMR, whooping cough, and yearly influenza (waiver may be accepted for influenza); 
• Successful background screening; 
• Ability to correctly and effectively communicate in written and oral English; 
• Command of Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Vietnamese (preferred); 
• Experience in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) or a related field (preferred); 
• A California driver’s license, daily use of an automobile, and automobile liability insurance. 

What we can offer you 

• Medical/dental/vision for part- and full-time employees (organization pays up to 95% of employee's premiums; prorated for part-time); 
• Organization-paid and matching retirement plan; 
• Professional growth opportunities, including free child development courses and college reimbursement; 
• Generous and flexible PTO; 
• Dedicated, mission-driven colleagues, and much more! 

Job specifications 

• Reports to the senior classroom behavior supervisor; 
• Full-time, year-round position; 
• Eight-hour workday, four-day workweek; 
• Organization-wide winter break; 
• Limited evening or weekend work may be required; 
• Employment, responsibilities, compensation and other factors may be affected by changes in governmental regulations, the organization’s contracts, or at the organization’s discretion. 

Salary 

• $31.25 - $34.62 per hour (candidates should anticipate receiving an offer within the first quartile of the salary range).