Behavior Specialist

Summary

The Behavior Specialist supports a joyful, structured, and purposeful school culture where all students, regardless of ability or background, feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to succeed. The Behavior Specialist works closely with students, teachers, school leaders, and families to promote positive student behavior, strengthen social-emotional development, and ensure all students have access to a safe and supportive learning environment.

The Behavior Specialist plays a key role in implementing the school's vision for equity and excellence by proactively supporting student behavior, providing targeted interventions, conducting behavioral assessments, and helping staff develop effective classroom management and behavior support practices. This role includes responding to behavioral crises, supporting students with disabilities through individualized behavior planning, and partnering with school staff and outside providers to ensure comprehensive behavioral support. The Behavior Specialist reports to the Assistant Principal of Culture and collaborates with the school team to create a positive and adaptive learning environment.

About Deep Roots

Where students discover joy, belonging, and purpose

Authentic Relationships

At Deep Roots Charter School, we take the time to know our students and their families – their backgrounds, purpose, and passion – and provide a variety of experiences from leadership to mentoring, to social-emotional learning and multiple clubs within the school day.

Personalized Learning

Every child receives individualized attention tailored to their unique learning needs and strengths. Deep Roots maximizes various learning styles and prioritizes individual student support.

Our Core Values

Practice: Each and every individual in our school community, from students to leadership, will engage in deliberate practice and value this as the path to excellence.

Service: Our service-learning model will be discipline based; it will require students to have a presence in the community and reflect on their experiences regularly.

Purpose: We want to empower our students to uncover their unique gifts and talents and apply them toward an outward purpose about which they are passionate.

Antiracist & Inclusive

We stand as an actively anti-racist organization, dedicated to supporting all students and families. We advocate for our communities and strive to dismantle barriers within and beyond our school walls.

Responsibilities & Duties

Support Student Behavior and Social-Emotional Growth

• Provide proactive behavioral support to students across classrooms and school settings.
• Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) for students requiring individualized behavioral supports.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) for students, including those with IEPs.
• Support students in developing self-regulation, conflict resolution, coping, and social-emotional skills.
• Facilitate restorative conversations and problem-solving with students.
• Respond to student behavior incidents and crisis situations in a calm, consistent, and student-centered manner, utilizing evidence-based de-escalation strategies.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with students while maintaining high expectations.
• Monitor student progress toward behavioral IEP goals and adjust interventions based on data.

Partner with Teachers and School Staff

• Collaborate with teachers and school leaders to implement effective behavior management systems and classroom supports.
• Provide direct coaching, modeling, and feedback to teachers and staff on classroom behavior management, proactive interventions, and de-escalation techniques.
• Train and support staff in implementing schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) systems and practices.
• Monitor and analyze student behavior data to identify trends, evaluate interventions, and inform decision-making.
• Participate in student support meetings, IEP meetings, and multidisciplinary teams to develop and monitor behavior support plans.
• Help create and maintain consistent schoolwide expectations, routines, and positive behavior systems.

Collaborate with Families and Community Providers

• Communicate regularly with families regarding student behavior progress, challenges, and support plans.
• Partner with families to develop strategies that support student success both at school and at home.
• Coordinate, when appropriate, with outside wraparound service providers (e.g., Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS), Mobile Therapy (MT), and other Medical Assistance-funded behavioral health providers) to ensure consistent implementation of student behavior plans.
• Maintain professionalism, empathy, and cultural responsiveness in all family and community partnerships.

Create a Positive School Culture

• Reinforce the school's core values and contribute to a safe, inclusive, and structured school environment.
• Support student supervision during transitions, lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and other school activities.
• Assist with the implementation of schoolwide behavior incentives, restorative practices, and culture initiatives.
• Serve as a positive role model for students through consistent, respectful, and relationship-centered interactions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in professional development, team meetings, and school events.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to behavioral assessments, behavior incidents, interventions, student progress, and required special education documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the school's mission.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field required.
• Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification (or eligibility to obtain licensure/certification) required.
• Experience conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), developing Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs) or Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and supporting students with behavioral disabilities preferred.
• Experience working with children in schools or youth-serving organizations required.
• Experience supporting students with behavioral, emotional, or social needs required.
• Strong knowledge of PBIS, restorative practices, behavior assessment, and evidence-based behavior intervention strategies.
• Strong classroom management, de-escalation, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and culturally responsive practices.
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solution-oriented in high-pressure situations.
• Strong organizational, communication, collaboration, and data analysis skills.

Title: Behavior Specialist

Location: Philadelphia, PA 19134

Job Type: Full-Time