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Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. The Division is comprised of over 50,000 students and 5,000 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.
Behavioural Specialist
The Behavioural Specialist is part of a multi-disciplinary team and provides school-based intervention services for students with severe behavioural and or emotional problems as they impact their ability to learn. The incumbent provides support to students, parents, principals, teachers, Learning Coaches, Educational Assistants, Therapeutic Assistants, Early Learning Facilitators, Social Workers and other professionals in providing strategies to work with severe behaviours in students. The job develops and implements functional behaviour assessments and intervention plans and strategies. As part of the multi-disciplinary team the incumbent contributes to the division’s support services provided to school-aged children.
Job Responsibilities:
- Consult with the educational team to identify students with severe behavioural and/or emotional needs;
- Explore underlying causes of severe behaviour and prepare functional assessments, utilizing Positive Behaviour Supports;
- Collect and analyze data and conduct research to formulate strategies;
- Assist teachers and learning coaches with the development of and monitoring of Individual Program Plan (IPP) goals;
- Partner with teachers, Learning Coaches, Therapeutic Assistants, Educational Assistants, Early Learning Facilitators and school staff to model appropriate, positive behavioural strategies with the student;
- Monitor the child’s progress using appropriate means of data collection and communicating the child’s progress to the school team;
- Implement specialized programs (i.e. Behaviour Intervention Plans, applied behaviour analysis);
- Communicate plans and strategies to all who work with the student, monitor and assess progress and make adjustments as required;
- Provide in-depth information regarding relevant diagnosis and applied behavioural analysis;
- Assist parents and school staff in formulating, implementing and monitoring plans for the student;
- Provide information about support available through community agencies and organizations;
- Train staff, families, and other stakeholders focusing on assessment and intervention techniques and strategies;
- Maintain accurate and detailed written documentation of evaluations and analysis, intervention plans, recommendations, and IPP goals;
- Generate clear and concise reports that school staff and parents easily understand;
- Provide input into strategies, goals and objectives;
- Provide ‘at-the-elbow’ coaching and support to school staff within the natural school environments (classrooms, lunch, recess, playground, bus, field trips, etc.);
- Minimize pull-out types of services;
Qualifications:
- Degree in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies or related area, plus three years of directly related experience;
- Adaptive Behaviour Analysis training or equivalent;
- Knowledge of Intervention, strategies, CPR/First Aid;
- Knowledge of psychological diagnoses and the impact that delays/disorders have on children;
- Knowledge of data collection and analysis techniques and principles;
- Knowledge of records management principles including Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Legislation;
- Knowledge of safe work environments including Occupational Health and Safety regulations and legislation;
- General knowledge of this multi-disciplinary setting, it is essential to be informed in all disciplines;
- General knowledge of the division/department operations, business, goals and objectives and an understanding of the curriculum;
- Advanced written and oral communication skills and the ability to relay complex information to non-technical contacts;
- Skills to work positively, collaboratively with children, school staff, social workers, and parents and other professionals;
- Strong consultation and facilitation skills;
- Very strong assessment and problem-solving skills are required to identify and address behavioural and educational delays;
- Ability to work as a member of a team and to work independently;
- Strong decision-making and leadership skills;
- In this multi-disciplinary setting, it is essential to be well-informed in all disciplines (Speech and Language, Occupational/Physical Therapy) to meet the needs of the whole student;
- Flexibility is essential given the variety of children’s abilities, needs and conditions
Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace that welcomes and values candidates from diverse backgrounds. We hire employees of all faiths for non-teacher positions.
As a Catholic School Division receiving public funding, our schools and departments are imbued with our Catholic Faith. Candidates are expected to exhibit respect and sensitivity towards our Catholic beliefs and practices embraced by both students and staff.
Edmonton Catholic Schools offers a comprehensive benefits program based on contract status as part of its total compensation package.
Before employment, successful candidates will be required to submit a Police Information Check and Intervention Record Check dated within six months of hiring.
Due to the high volume of applications received, only qualified candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.