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The Behavior Specialist works collaboratively with the Senior Director of Bridge Programming, Bridge Behavioral Supports Coordinator, Special Education Teachers, Job Coaches, related service providers, families, employers, and community partners to ensure students receive high-quality behavioral support that promotes independence, workplace readiness, community participation, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and successful adult outcomes.
The Behavior Specialist develops, implements, and monitors individualized behavioral programming while coaching staff in proactive, trauma-informed, relationship-based, and evidence-based behavioral practices across all Bridge Program settings. Qualifications Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, Counseling, Human Services, or related field. BCBA certification preferred or Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS) certification required; candidates working toward certification with relevant experience may be considered. Current Act 34, Act 114, and Act 151 clearances. Negative TB test dated within three months of hire. Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record and ability to travel between community locations. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Demonstrate a strong understanding and unwavering commitment to ASUA's philosophy of collaborative educational, behavioral, clinical, and vocational programming rooted in supportive relationships, dignity, person-centered planning, and trauma-informed care. Develop, implement, monitor, and revise individualized Positive Behavior Support Plans and Community Behavior Support Plans designed to increase independence and successful participation across work, community, and independent living environments. Conduct functional behavior assessments, ongoing behavioral observations, and data reviews to identify barriers to student success and develop effective interventions. Collaborate with Bridge Program leadership regarding student placements, vocational supports, transportation training, and individualized behavioral programming. Support behavioral programming within ASUA-operated businesses including Step Up Exchange, Step Up Studios, Step Up Suds Laundry Services, Step Up Supply, ASUACart, and community-based employment sites. Coach students in workplace expectations, flexibility, emotional regulation, self-management, problem-solving, conflict resolution, workplace communication, and professional conduct. Develop behavioral strategies that increase work stamina, independence, task persistence, community safety, and successful employment outcomes. Lead implementation of crisis prevention and intervention procedures across community-based and vocational environments. Serve as a model for proactive, relationship-based behavioral supports for students and staff. Provide ongoing coaching and consultation to Job Coaches, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Assistants, workplace supervisors, and related service providers regarding behavioral programming and implementation fidelity. Train staff in behavior support strategies, de-escalation techniques, crisis prevention, data collection, reinforcement systems, prompting hierarchies, and systematic fading of supports. Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to ensure behavioral programming is integrated into educational, vocational, communication, and independent living instruction. Develop and monitor toileting, self-care, transportation, community safety, and adaptive behavior plans as needed. Maintain accurate behavioral documentation, progress reports, data analysis, and recommendations for educational programming. Participate in transition planning meetings, IEP meetings, interdisciplinary team meetings, and family conferences. Build collaborative relationships with employers, community organizations, families, and adult service providers to support successful student participation in community environments. Maintain active certification in ASUA-approved crisis prevention and management programs. Travel regularly between ASUA campuses, community businesses, vocational training locations, transportation training environments, and other community settings. Duties may be performed within educational, vocational, retail, production, transportation, independent living, recreational, or other community environments. Additional Duties and Responsibilities Read, understand, and comply with the ASUA Employee Handbook and all updates. Attend all required meetings, trainings, professional development activities, and certifications as assigned. Participate in ongoing development of Bridge Program systems, behavioral practices, and vocational programming. Assist with new staff onboarding and coaching regarding behavioral supports. Perform additional duties as assigned by the Bridge Behavioral Supports Coordinator, Senior Director of Bridge Programming, or other appropriate administrator. Competencies Required Strong understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis, Positive Behavior Support, and trauma-informed care. Knowledge of behavioral programming within community-based, vocational, employment, and independent living environments. Ability to conduct functional behavior assessments and develop comprehensive behavior support plans. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret behavioral data and adjust programming accordingly. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to provide coaching, mentorship, and constructive feedback to staff. Ability to build collaborative relationships with students, families, employers, community partners, and interdisciplinary team members. Demonstrated leadership, professionalism, flexibility, and sound clinical judgment. Ability to manage multiple priorities across several community locations while maintaining organization and compliance. Commitment to promoting dignity, independence, inclusion, and successful adult outcomes for all students. Physical Requirements Sitting, standing, walking, lifting and carrying (up to 50 pounds), reaching, squatting, climbing stairs, kneeling, bending, pushing, pulling, and frequent movement throughout community environments are required. The position requires physical stamina to actively participate in community-based instruction, transportation training, vocational activities, and crisis prevention interventions when necessary.
The position requires the ability to safely respond to behavioral emergencies, implement approved crisis prevention procedures, assist students in community environments, and travel between multiple worksites and instructional locations throughout the day.
Adequate vision, hearing, mobility, and communication abilities are required to effectively supervise students, monitor safety, and provide behavioral support across educational, vocational, retail, manufacturing, transportation, and community settings. Safety and Health Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions. Knowledge of behavioral crisis prevention, de-escalation strategies, and community safety procedures. Ability to serve as a behavioral leader during crisis situations while maintaining professionalism and student dignity. Knowledge of workplace safety procedures across retail, production, transportation, food preparation, and community environments. Equipment/Materials Handled The Behavior Specialist utilizes behavioral assessment tools, data collection systems, assistive technology, communication devices, instructional materials, and multimedia equipment. The position also requires familiarity with workplace equipment used throughout Bridge Program businesses while ensuring appropriate student supervision and safety. Mission Alignment The Behavior Specialist advances ASUA's mission of preparing students to become engaged participants in society by ensuring that behavioral programming serves as a bridge to adulthood rather than a barrier to opportunity. Through evidence-based practices, compassionate support, and collaborative partnerships, the Behavior Specialist helps students develop the behavioral, social, communication, and self-management skills necessary to succeed in work, community, and independent living environments. By promoting dignity, choice, accountability, and increasing independence, the Behavior Specialist empowers students to build meaningful lives as contributing members of their communities. ASUA reserves the right to update, revise, or modify this job description and related duties at any time.
AS
A Step Up Academy
Behavior Specialist (Bridge Program)
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What they do
A Career Counselor works with adults of all ages to plan career choices and access the education and training needed to support a career. Gives skills assessment and aptitude tests to clients. Provides job search assistance or training for general workplace skills. Provides referrals for workplace literacy, academic or job training programs, or direct job referrals.
$59,838 / year median in Pennsylvania
+3% projected growth
Job Description
Job Description:
Behavior Specialist (Bridge Program)Reports To:
Bridge Behavior Supports Coordinator Status:
Full-time, Exempt Takes Direction From:
Senior Director of Bridge Programming;Executive Team, Strategic Leadership Team Calendar:
Academic Calendar Job Summary The Behavior Specialist (Bridge Program) is an integral and collaborative member of the ASUA Bridge Program and is responsible, under the supervision of the Bridge Behavioral Supports Coordinator, for providing behavioral assessment, consultation, implementation, coaching, and oversight to students participating in community-based instruction, work-based learning, independent living instruction, transportation training, and vocational programming.The Behavior Specialist works collaboratively with the Senior Director of Bridge Programming, Bridge Behavioral Supports Coordinator, Special Education Teachers, Job Coaches, related service providers, families, employers, and community partners to ensure students receive high-quality behavioral support that promotes independence, workplace readiness, community participation, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and successful adult outcomes.
The Behavior Specialist develops, implements, and monitors individualized behavioral programming while coaching staff in proactive, trauma-informed, relationship-based, and evidence-based behavioral practices across all Bridge Program settings. Qualifications Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, Counseling, Human Services, or related field. BCBA certification preferred or Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS) certification required; candidates working toward certification with relevant experience may be considered. Current Act 34, Act 114, and Act 151 clearances. Negative TB test dated within three months of hire. Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record and ability to travel between community locations. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Demonstrate a strong understanding and unwavering commitment to ASUA's philosophy of collaborative educational, behavioral, clinical, and vocational programming rooted in supportive relationships, dignity, person-centered planning, and trauma-informed care. Develop, implement, monitor, and revise individualized Positive Behavior Support Plans and Community Behavior Support Plans designed to increase independence and successful participation across work, community, and independent living environments. Conduct functional behavior assessments, ongoing behavioral observations, and data reviews to identify barriers to student success and develop effective interventions. Collaborate with Bridge Program leadership regarding student placements, vocational supports, transportation training, and individualized behavioral programming. Support behavioral programming within ASUA-operated businesses including Step Up Exchange, Step Up Studios, Step Up Suds Laundry Services, Step Up Supply, ASUACart, and community-based employment sites. Coach students in workplace expectations, flexibility, emotional regulation, self-management, problem-solving, conflict resolution, workplace communication, and professional conduct. Develop behavioral strategies that increase work stamina, independence, task persistence, community safety, and successful employment outcomes. Lead implementation of crisis prevention and intervention procedures across community-based and vocational environments. Serve as a model for proactive, relationship-based behavioral supports for students and staff. Provide ongoing coaching and consultation to Job Coaches, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Assistants, workplace supervisors, and related service providers regarding behavioral programming and implementation fidelity. Train staff in behavior support strategies, de-escalation techniques, crisis prevention, data collection, reinforcement systems, prompting hierarchies, and systematic fading of supports. Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to ensure behavioral programming is integrated into educational, vocational, communication, and independent living instruction. Develop and monitor toileting, self-care, transportation, community safety, and adaptive behavior plans as needed. Maintain accurate behavioral documentation, progress reports, data analysis, and recommendations for educational programming. Participate in transition planning meetings, IEP meetings, interdisciplinary team meetings, and family conferences. Build collaborative relationships with employers, community organizations, families, and adult service providers to support successful student participation in community environments. Maintain active certification in ASUA-approved crisis prevention and management programs. Travel regularly between ASUA campuses, community businesses, vocational training locations, transportation training environments, and other community settings. Duties may be performed within educational, vocational, retail, production, transportation, independent living, recreational, or other community environments. Additional Duties and Responsibilities Read, understand, and comply with the ASUA Employee Handbook and all updates. Attend all required meetings, trainings, professional development activities, and certifications as assigned. Participate in ongoing development of Bridge Program systems, behavioral practices, and vocational programming. Assist with new staff onboarding and coaching regarding behavioral supports. Perform additional duties as assigned by the Bridge Behavioral Supports Coordinator, Senior Director of Bridge Programming, or other appropriate administrator. Competencies Required Strong understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis, Positive Behavior Support, and trauma-informed care. Knowledge of behavioral programming within community-based, vocational, employment, and independent living environments. Ability to conduct functional behavior assessments and develop comprehensive behavior support plans. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret behavioral data and adjust programming accordingly. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to provide coaching, mentorship, and constructive feedback to staff. Ability to build collaborative relationships with students, families, employers, community partners, and interdisciplinary team members. Demonstrated leadership, professionalism, flexibility, and sound clinical judgment. Ability to manage multiple priorities across several community locations while maintaining organization and compliance. Commitment to promoting dignity, independence, inclusion, and successful adult outcomes for all students. Physical Requirements Sitting, standing, walking, lifting and carrying (up to 50 pounds), reaching, squatting, climbing stairs, kneeling, bending, pushing, pulling, and frequent movement throughout community environments are required. The position requires physical stamina to actively participate in community-based instruction, transportation training, vocational activities, and crisis prevention interventions when necessary.
The position requires the ability to safely respond to behavioral emergencies, implement approved crisis prevention procedures, assist students in community environments, and travel between multiple worksites and instructional locations throughout the day.
Adequate vision, hearing, mobility, and communication abilities are required to effectively supervise students, monitor safety, and provide behavioral support across educational, vocational, retail, manufacturing, transportation, and community settings. Safety and Health Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions. Knowledge of behavioral crisis prevention, de-escalation strategies, and community safety procedures. Ability to serve as a behavioral leader during crisis situations while maintaining professionalism and student dignity. Knowledge of workplace safety procedures across retail, production, transportation, food preparation, and community environments. Equipment/Materials Handled The Behavior Specialist utilizes behavioral assessment tools, data collection systems, assistive technology, communication devices, instructional materials, and multimedia equipment. The position also requires familiarity with workplace equipment used throughout Bridge Program businesses while ensuring appropriate student supervision and safety. Mission Alignment The Behavior Specialist advances ASUA's mission of preparing students to become engaged participants in society by ensuring that behavioral programming serves as a bridge to adulthood rather than a barrier to opportunity. Through evidence-based practices, compassionate support, and collaborative partnerships, the Behavior Specialist helps students develop the behavioral, social, communication, and self-management skills necessary to succeed in work, community, and independent living environments. By promoting dignity, choice, accountability, and increasing independence, the Behavior Specialist empowers students to build meaningful lives as contributing members of their communities. ASUA reserves the right to update, revise, or modify this job description and related duties at any time.