Preschool Intervention and Referral Specialist (PIRS)

Preschool Intervention and Referral Specialist (PIRS) JobID: 855

Position Type:

District

Date Posted:

5/7/2026

Location:

Elementary Schools

Date Available:

09/01/2026

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Preschool Intervention and Referral Specialist (PIRS)

Position Type: Full-Time (100% dedicated to PIRS duties)

Reports To: Director of Special Services / Early Childhood Supervisor

Note: Per grant requirements, this position carries NO teacher, supervisory, or evaluator responsibilities.

Job Overview:

The PIRS leads the district's Preschool Intervention and Referral Team (PIRT). This role acts as a coach and behavioral consultant to general education preschool teachers, utilizing the Pyramid Model to support social-emotional competence and providing tiered interventions to keep childrenespecially those with challenging behaviorssuccessful in the general education setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• PIRT Leadership: Guide the formal Preschool Intervention and Referral Team process for students requiring intensive support.
• Tier 1 Coaching (Universal Prevention): Coach teachers in creating "Universal Design" environments. Model how to explicitly teach emotional literacy and structure daily classroom schedules to proactively prevent challenging behaviors.
• Tier 2 Coaching (Targeted Support): Assist teachers in designing and implementing targeted instructional strategies, such as facilitating small groups for friendship building and conflict resolution.
• Tier 3 Coaching (Intensive Intervention): Conduct data-driven observations for students exhibiting persistent challenging behaviors. Collaborate with teachers and parents to develop and implement tailored Positive Behavior Support (PBS) plans.
• Special Education Collaboration: Meet monthly with the PIC, School Psychologist, and Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant (LDT-C) to review the progress of students undergoing interventions and those being considered for an initial special education evaluation.
• Observation & Evaluation: Utilize the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) to evaluate program-wide implementation of social-emotional strategies.

Requirements (Based on standard NJDOE PEA Guidelines): * Valid NJ Standard Certificate in Early Childhood Education (P-3) and/or Special Education.

• Extensive experience working with preschool-aged children with challenging behaviors and disabilities.
• Strong working knowledge of the Pyramid Model and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).