Behavior Support Specialist

Elwood Community Schools is seeking a dedicated and experienced individual to serve as a Behavior Support staff member. This position is focused specifically on providing intensive behavioral support to students with significant behavioral needs, including students with autism and other disabilities.

The Behavior Support staff member will work directly with identified students throughout the school day and will work in conjunction with staff providing academic support. The focus of this position is on helping students successfully access their educational environment by providing proactive behavioral support, implementing individualized behavior strategies, and responding appropriately when challenging behaviors occur.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individualized, intensive behavioral support to students with significant behavioral needs.
• Work directly with students who may demonstrate challenging behaviors that interfere with learning, participation, or safety.
• Implement individualized behavior support plans and strategies developed by the students educational team.
• Use positive, proactive, and evidence-based behavior support strategies.
• Help students develop appropriate replacement behaviors, coping strategies, communication skills, and independence.
• Support students during transitions, activities, and other school settings.
• Work collaboratively with the staff member providing academic support to ensure behavioral needs and academic needs are addressed together.
• Collect behavioral data and maintain documentation as needed to help the educational team monitor student progress.
• Assist the team in identifying behavioral patterns, triggers, and effective interventions.
• Respond appropriately to behavioral escalations while maintaining student and staff safety.
• Communicate regularly with teachers, special education staff, administrators, and other members of the students support team.
• Participate in student support meetings and contribute observations and information regarding student behavior and progress.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow all district policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with students with significant behavioral needs preferred.
• Experience working with students with autism preferred.
• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification and/or experience preferred.
• Experience with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), behavior intervention plans, data collection, or positive behavior support preferred.
• Training or experience in de-escalation and crisis prevention/intervention preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately during challenging or high-intensity situations.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Compensation

Compensation based on experience and applicable certifications and qualifications.