Classroom Behavior Specialist

Location:

North Campus - Vista, CA

Houly: $20.22 - $24.03

50 Week

OUR STORY

Since 1965, MAAC has been maximizing self-sufficiency with families and individuals through high-quality programs and advocacy in our communities. MAAC employs dedicated staff who provide life-changing services to thousands of individuals annually through programs in five core focus areas: Education, Economic Development, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development. Through a wide variety of programs, MAAC has grown to become one of the largest nonprofit social service organizations in the community. Learn more about the great things happening with MAAC at http://www.maacproject.org/

Under direct supervision of the Mental Health and Disabilities Manager, this position will coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Head Start and Early Head Start Performance Standards for assigned centers and assigned program options. The incumbent will model, consult and provide guidance and resources to classroom staff and will participate in building systems that provide staff with resources and support.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Supports the Head Start philosophy that promotes and values parent participation and individualization of children in a classroom setting, Supports the Agency developed School Readiness Goals as well as MAAC and CDP vision and mission.
• Responsible for ongoing monitoring and the implementation of the early childhood development (ECD) service area at the center level and maintaining that ECD systems are in compliance.
• Provides hands-on support 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.
• Using approved assessment tools and monitoring checklists, observes assigned classrooms for compliance with current education policies and procedures, State licensing regulations and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Provides guidance and support to teaching staff. Observes and assesses classroom activities; provides on-the-job guidance, training and technical assistance in order to improve the skills and interactions of classroom management for children with challenging behaviors.
• Travels to assigned Head Start/ Child Development Program Centers, Partner sites, and FCCP Homes in San Diego North County to work with teachers and families to address areas of developmental concern. P
• Support the classroom teachers with assessments, including Creative Curriculum, ASQs, Teaching Pyramid, Second Step Curriculum, CLASS, ECERS, and others as applicable to program option.
• The Classroom Behavior Specialist is responsible for the childrens social-emotional well-being in the classroom. His/her role is to implement positive behavior support strategies in the classroom, on the playground, and as needed.
• The Classroom Specialist must be capable of supporting children who experience escalated states of disregulation. He/she must be physically capable of safely implementing crisis prevention and response for all children in the classrooms if necessary.
• The Classroom Support Specialist will work in partnership with the Classroom Teacher, and will work closely with the administration, staff, specialists, and the students families to ensure the optimal development of each child.
• Ensures accuracy and completion of behavior and disability forms to expedite intervention processes.
• Attends monthly evening meetings, conferences, community meetings and/or training programs as required.
• Communicates effectively with Child Development, Head Start/Early Head Start Managers and upper management to problem solve difficult issues.
• Collaborates and maintains positive working relationships with fellow MAAC employees and with partner community organizations.
• Effectively utilizes the ChildPlus data management system.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Early childhood education systems including curriculum, individualization and implementation and ongoing assessment (i.e. Creative Curriculum, the Second Step Curriculum, the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Database management and the Internet
• Head Start policies and procedures highly desirable.

Ability to:

• Communicate proficiently in English (orally, reading and writing)
• Tailor strategies for each child in the classroom, working with teaching staff, other specialists, and Center Directors.
• Work collaboratively with other Service Areas staff.
• Develop and maintain strong community relations and positive interpersonal relations
• Organize records and paperwork processes and consistently demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills
• Consistently relate effectively with children, parents, staff, and local services providers

• Bachelors degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Psychology, BCBA or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of work and/or teaching experience in an Early Childhood Education program
• Bilingual (English / Spanish) speaking, reading, and writing highly desirable
• Demonstrated experience in utilizing computers and software, including but not limited to Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, the Internet and database software such as ChildPlus.

VALUE-BASED BEHAVIORS

Listens attentively to others. Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other persons views and underlying assumptions
Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers
Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for personal and professional development
Attends work consistently and punctually. Arrives to meetings prepared and on time; honors work commitments; follows through on what was agreed upon; meets deadlines
Honors the private and confidential matters of co-workers. Protects the proprietary information of MAAC systems
Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes
Deals with issues directly, in a respectful and timely manner. Focuses on resolving the issue while not criticizing the person. Follows rules, regulations, and policies; positively contributes to implementing changes

HEALTH STATUS

Must have a physical examination, TB clearance and a drug screen by a doctor/clinic designated by MAAC as well as immunization records for influenza*, pertussis and measles as required by state and federal regulations prior to the first day of employment.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit, talk or hear both in person and by telephone, uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls, reach with hands and arms. An employee also is regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch or crawl, climb or balance and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations; use basic math; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with MAAC management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work.

BACKGROUND CLEARANCE

All positions are subject to a background/education check, DMV check, NSOR, exclusion and debarment checks prior to hire and periodically throughout employment as required by various funding sources.

Note: California Start law requires background criminal checks on anyone who works in a licensed childcare facility who is not a client. Must have or obtain a current criminal background check clearance, signed criminal record statement, and signed Acknowledgement to Report Child Abuse form prior to the first day of employment.

TRANSPORTATION

Must have and maintain a valid California Drivers License, daily use of a personal, insured vehicle, and have and maintain a motor vehicle driving record acceptable to MAACs insurance carrier. Incumbents will be enrolled in the California DMV Pull Program.