Behavior Specialist

Job Description

Position Overview:

As an integral member of our team, your role as a Behavior Specialist is to lead, by example, guiding and empowering staff in reflective behavior support. You will play a pivotal role in creating and sustaining a culturally sensitive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for both children and co-workers. The position involves a mix of direct support for children, collaboration with staff and families, assessment and intervention planning, and professional development

Where will I be working?

Head Start for Kent County Central Office

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides hands-on support in classroom for children with behaviors that interfere with their ability to participate comfortably and appropriately in classroom routines and special events or pose a safety or health risk to themselves or others, as identified by the Education/Special Needs Manager.

Support teaching staff in the planning and implementation of The Pyramid Model Framework.

Collaborate with staff facing challenges to ensure classroom-based practices are being implemented to fidelity.

Promotes staff mental wellness by providing reflective supervision to staff.

Play a key role in supporting site staff, children and families throughout the multi-level tiered system of support.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, child development, or closely related field, with course work in early childhood development required.

A minimum of two years direct experience with children (age 0-5) experiencing mental health/behavioral difficulties.

Knowledge of and experience with Head Start Performance Standards and State of Michigan Child Care Licensing Rules preferred.

Must obtain and maintain CPR /First Aide within 90 days.

Proficient skills in the use of Microsoft Office.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the agency. Employees in this position must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with reasonable accommodation.Company Description

Head Start for Kent County provides high quality services at no cost to qualifying families. We work alongside families to deliver comprehensive services to children five and under, promoting their well-being and development.

We offer an excellent benefits package with health insurance that starts after just 30 days of employment. Several benefits are even at little to no cost to the employee. We provide generous time-off and paid holiday policies that start on your very first day. Additional perks include half-day work on Fridays, Employee Assistance Programs providing corporate discounts, wellness programs for both physical and mental health including free counseling sessions, retention and attendance incentives, professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, including paid in full CDA’s and assistance with Associates degrees and above.

Find out about these and other ways in which we invest in our employees at

Full-time