Behavior Support Specialist

Girard College is a full-scholarship boarding school that fosters intellectual curiosity, social development and emotional growth in academically focused students from underserved communities. We ensure every student the opportunity and the means to achieve excellence and preparation for advanced education through purposeful academic and residential programs.

Position Summary:

Girard College seeks a compassionate, collaborative, proactive, and student-centered Behavior Support Specialist who takes initiative to identify student needs, implement effective behavioral supports, and contribute to a positive school community as a member of the Student Success Team.

Reporting to the Director of Student Success, the Behavior Support Specialist advances student success by implementing evidence-based behavioral supports within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). In partnership with academic and residential staff, the specialist provides classroom-based support, transition assistance, and individualized and small-group behavior counseling to help students develop positive behavior, self-regulation, social-emotional, and problem-solving skills. The Behavior Support Specialist designs and delivers universal, targeted, and intensive interventions, uses data to guide decision-making, supports schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and provides consultation and coaching to faculty and staff to promote consistent behavioral expectations across academic and residential settings.

Work Schedule:

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. This is a year-round position. Summer hours may vary based on the school's operational needs.

Job Responsibilities Include:

MTSS Leadership:

• Serve as an active member of the Student Success Team.

• Collaborate with school leaders to ensure effective implementation and fidelity of behavior support plans.

• Partner with school-based culture teams to collect data, identify trends, and coordinate student supports.
• Participate in and facilitate MTSS meetings and collaborative problem-solving discussions.

• Analyze student data to identify behavioral support needs and inform intervention planning.
• Monitor student progress and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, adjusting supports as needed.
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of schoolwide MTSS and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) practices.

• Provide training, coaching, and consultation to faculty and staff on universal behavior support strategies.
• Seek out and participate in ongoing professional learning opportunities to strengthen expertise, apply evidence-based practices, and support continuous improvement.
• Maintain confidentiality while fostering effective communication and collaboration with students, families, and staff.

Tier I – Universal Supports

• Promote schoolwide behavior expectations and a positive school culture.
• Provide lessons on social-emotional learning, self-regulation, and problem-solving.
• Support students during transitions across academic and residential settings.
• Coach teachers and residential staff on proactive behavior strategies.
• Conduct classroom and residential observations.
• Support restorative practices and positive school climate initiatives.
• Provide training and consultation on behavior support strategies.

Tier II – Targeted Supports

• Provide short-term individual counseling and behavioral interventions.
• Facilitate 6–10-week small-group intervention sessions twice weekly to teach and reinforce
• positive behavior, self-regulation, and social-emotional skills.
• Implement and monitor targeted behavior support plans and behavior trackers.
• Facilitate Check-In/Check-Out (CICO) and other evidence-based interventions.
• Collaborate with families, teachers, and residential staff.
• Monitor student progress and adjust interventions as needed.

Tier III – Intensive Supports

• Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), as appropriate.
• Develop and monitor individualized Behavior Support Plans.
• Provide intensive individual behavior support sessions 2–3 times per week based on student needs and progress.
• Coordinate with school staff and families to implement supports.
• Monitor progress using behavioral data and revise plans as needed.
• Refer student for mental/behavioral health evaluations as needed

Crisis Prevention and Response

• Respond to behavioral crises using approved de-escalation strategies.
• Assist in developing behavior safety plans.
• Document behavioral incidents and interventions.
• Support post-crisis debriefing and prevention planning.

Data Collection and Documentation

• Maintain accurate intervention records.
• Collect and analyze behavioral data.
• Monitor student progress toward intervention goals.
• Prepare documentation for Student Success Team and MTSS meetings.