Behavior Specialist

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all scholars are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

Behavior Specialist

Department: Community & Scholar Affairs

Unit: Support Non-Exempt

Wage: Compensation range listed is based on an average 1-15 years of experience

Grade 203 - Specific salary paid is based on actual relevant years of experience

Direct Supervisor: Director of Community & Scholar Affairs

JOB SUMMARY

To increase scholar attendance, promote a safe school environment, and empower scholars to make proper choices a full time/school year, the Behavior Specialist will address the identified issues and/or concerns. The primary focus of the Behavior Specialist is to provide intervention for scholars that may need extra support in continuing their education. The Specialist will assist scholars in reaching their educational goal by keeping them engaged in the learning process, which will lead to school success.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist parent/scholars with enrollment, reinstatement, placement, and truancy/attendance concerns.
• Assist with removing barriers, providing services, resources, and interventions to help scholar with enrollment and/or transitioning into an education program.
• Assist with team approach (scholar, family, teachers, specialist, and principal) to assess appropriate intervention plan.
• Visit with identified scholars to identify suitable options and help resolve problems.
• Assist scholars with being proactive in making choices that will lead to their success.
• Develop a positive relationship with scholars and school community.
• Work as part of the school team and assist with creating a safe and orderly environment.
• As part of the school team, the Specialist will assist other staff members in monitoring the halls and encouraging scholars to attend class.
• Utilizing technology to provide integrative interventions.
• The Specialist will make telephone calls to parents and home visits if needed.
• Review data on attendance, suspensions, and expulsion and compare to last year's data.
• Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Attend assigned training.
• Performs other duties as assigned and as allowed by grant funding.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

• Associate degree.
• Experience in education, criminal justice, social work and/or human services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience working with at-risk scholars and families.
• Ability to effectively function as a professional team member.
• Possesses high level of communication skills (oral and written).
• Must be able to deal with the multiplicity of an urban community population.
• Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
• Ability to work closely with a team.
• Demonstrated experience training adults.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment can range from quiet to loud. Work is performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being of scholars.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at (616) 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org.