Position: Behavior Specialist/Social Worker        

Department: Special Education

Reports to: Director of Student Services                    

Affiliation: WEA Unit A

Salary range:  As Determined by Unit A Contract

SUMMARY: 

The Watertown Public Schools seek an outstanding Behavior Specialist/Social Worker to proactively and reactively support students with behavioral and learning challenges that interfere with school success. The Behavior Specialist/Social Worker will provide consultation and support to substantially separate education teachers and other educational faculty and staff regarding behavior management strategies, de-escalation techniques, and forming, implementing, and monitoring Behavioral Intervention Plans and social pragmatics.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions or duties listed below are illustrations of the type of work that is performed and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for by this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Collaborate and consult with substantially separate special education teachers
• Provide training and modeling for faculty and staff 
• Implement and monitor Behavioral Intervention Plans
• Provide direct support to student in and outside of the classroom setting
• Support Social Pragmatics goals/self regulation 
• Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) as needed
• Interface with outside social service agencies and providers to support students
• Provide consultation and support to parents of children demonstrating challenging behaviors in school and/at home

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The Superintendent may waive or modify the qualification requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to effectively work with students to prevent problem behaviors, de-escalate behavioral episodes, and re-integrate students into the instructional environment.
• Experience with Responsive Classroom and/or Restorative Approaches.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with and provide quality training to adults.
• Safety Care qualified, with ability to apply techniques with students.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education or related field required; (Masters preferred)
• DESE License as a Special Education Teacher or School Counselor preferred
• Experience supporting students with behavioral challenges in a public school setting

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

This position requires the ability to use Safety Care techniques to physically manage students who may be posing a risk to themselves or others.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Most tasks require visual perception and discrimination and the ability to distinguish color. The employee must be able to input information into a computer as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with other staff members in order to exchange accurate information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in this environment ranges from quiet to loud depending on the activity and the particular part of the day and location. The employee interacts with other staff members and occasionally must meet multiple demands from several people. 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.