Job Summary: 

The Preschool Behavior Specialist provides support across classrooms to help children develop strong social-emotional and behavioral skills. This role focuses on guiding children through challenges, supporting emotional regulation, and promoting positive behaviors in a safe and nurturing environment. The Behavior Specialist works collaboratively with teachers and staff to respond to individual student needs, including providing additional support during times of dysregulation or crisis.

Essential Job Duties:

1. Provide active supervision and support to children across classrooms as needed to maintain a safe and supportive environment.
2. Respond to classroom needs by assisting children who require additional behavioral or emotional support.
3. Support children in developing social-emotional skills such as self-regulation, communication, problem-solving, and making positive choices.
4. Use positive, developmentally appropriate guidance strategies to prevent and respond to challenging behaviors.
5. Provide calm, supportive intervention during moments of dysregulation or crisis, using approved de-escalation techniques.
6. Collaborate with teachers and staff to support consistent routines, expectations, and behavior strategies throughout the program.
7. Assist in implementing individualized behavior support plans for children.
8. Interact with children in a warm, respectful, and trauma-sensitive manner.
9. Help maintain a structured, predictable, and supportive environment for all learners.
10. Communicate effectively with classroom staff and the broader educational team regarding student needs and progress.
11. Assist with documentation, including incident reports, behavior tracking, and daily notes as required.
12. Support safe transitions within the building as needed.
13. Help maintain a clean, safe, and organized environment.
14. Step in to support classrooms during high-need situations that require additional behavioral support.
15. Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor to support the overall program.

Skills:

• Strong communication skills (with children and adults)
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Knowledge of behavior frameworks (e.g., PBIS)
• Experience with IEPs or individualized support plans
• De-escalation training
• Crisis response techniques
• Computer skills necessary for data entry, documentation systems, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace

Education and Experience Requirements:  

At least one of the following must be met:

• Bachelor’s Degree with 1 years’ experience in early education or mental health field
• Associate's Degree In Human Services or related field with 3 years’ experience in early education or mental health field

License/Registration/Certifications Required:

• NYS Drivers License
• Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) preferred

Training Requirements:  

• New Hire Orientation

Physical Requirements:

• The overall nature of the position is sedentary requiring little physical effort with occasional light physical exertion required.
• There is little, if any, exposure to environmental conditions.
• The frequent physical demands of the position are standing, walking, climbing, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, and eye/hand/ foot coordination.
• The occasional physical demands of the position are lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping, and feeling.