Coordinator, Specialized Behavioral Support and Strategy

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every childin every school and every neighborhoodhas access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school college- and career-ready. The mission of the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS) is to provide high quality and specially designed instructional supports and services for all diverse learners within their least restrictive environment. We work collaboratively with several units, specifically schools and Networks with the goal of improving the academic achievement of all diverse learners by ensuring diverse learners receive meaningful and relevant access to grade level core instruction within their neighborhood school, school of choice, or the school closest to their residence.

The Coordinator, Specialized Behavioral Support and Strategy is responsible for working to build district capacity to provide and monitor evidence and research based behavioral strategies to students with Autism and students with behavioral health needs. The team assists school-based staff in identifying proactive and preventative strategies for addressing the needs of students with Autism and other behavioral health needs, as well as assist with the development of individual, class wide, or school wide behavioral support plans. The Coordinator also assists schools in the development and fading of plans to promote student independence and natural participation in age appropriate activities throughout their school day.

The Coordinator, Specialized Behavioral Support and Strategy will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Conduct observations of student behavior for those with Autism and other behavioral health needs in multiple environments.
• Prepare written summary reports of observations and recommended interventions, including evidence and research based behavioral strategies reflective of current research, specific to individuals with Autism and other behavioral health needs.
• Schedule and conduct meetings with school based staff to discuss interventions and strategies, including elements of modeling, coaching and consultation. Coordinator will assist school based staff with revisions of the action plan based on suggested interventions, indicating staff roles and deadlines.
• Supervise the implementation of suggested interventions, collecting and filing progress for each student referral.
• Provide ongoing supervision to Behavior Support Specialists supporting implementation of interventions and behavior analytic strategies in the school setting.
• Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and develop Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), assess performance via continuous data collection, train staff in the implementation of programming, utilize consultation skills to bridge transitional setting/grades and continued review and refinement of programming to meet behavior goals, as well as to provide guidance in the development of district programs
• Provide classroom engineering support to assist in the management of behavior by establishing proactive measures.
• Develop and/or facilitate professional development on the use of evidence and research-based behavioral and instructional strategies, ensuring the needs of students with Autism and other behavioral health needs are met. Coordinator will build the capacity of district staff to ensure high fidelity delivery of these strategies for diverse learners with significant social, emotional or behavioral needs.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Coordinator, Specialized Behavioral Support and Strategy must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:

• Master's Degree in Education, Special Education, School Psychology, or a related field

• Board Certified Behavior Analysts are encouraged to apply

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

• Minimum of five years experience in the field of education preferred (PK-Age 21)

• Minimum of three to five years experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) preferred

• Minimum of three to five years experience in instructional coaching and consultation preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Willingness and ability to travel to multiple school sites on a citywide basis, every day

• Strong oral and written communication skills for multiple stakeholders

• Ability to respond professionally to all parental and/or staff questions and concerns

• Background in setting up programs incorporating evidence/research based behavioral strategies

• Proven ability to manage behavioral crisis situations: modeling interventions, staff training, crisis plan, behavior intervention plan development, and team and family follow up

• Knowledge of adult learning styles and best practices for coaching and providing feedback

• Experience with coordinating and delivering professional development for a variety of audiences

• Ability to collaboratively problem-solve, analyze data and use it to guide work

• Ability to adhere to predetermined timelines, multi-task between projects and respond to work requests based upon priority and complexity

• Ability to adapt easily to change and shift in work assignment/ tasks, as assigned

• Excellent planning and organizational skills, including ability to manage calendars, and incoming requests from multiple constituencies

• Ability to establish and maintain effective consultative working relationships with administrators, staff, associates, students, parents, governmental and community agencies, and employers

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Google Drive

Residency Requirement :

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of his or her CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.