Behavior Specialist

Behavior Specialist JobID: 1200

Position Type:

Certificated: Student Support Services

Date Posted:

6/1/2026

Location:

District Wide

Date Available:

08/25/2026

  Additional Information: Show/Hide

For first consideration, please apply by Monday, June 8th, 2026.

JOB TITLE: BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST

JOB SUMMARY: The Behavior Specialist provides professional learning, direct support, and consultation to school staff and families to support students with complex behavioral health needs. This role involves conducting functional behavior assessments, developing and implementing behavior intervention and fade plans, and ensuring strategies aligned with culturally responsive, trauma-informed practices and principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The Behavior Specialist collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, including IEP teams, to design and monitor individualized supports, transition plans, and programs that enhance student success. This position also provides coaching, supervision of behavior technicians, and supports compliance with federal and state regulations through data collection, reporting, and program development across multiple school sites.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Take ownership of understanding and contributing to the District's goals, mission, and strategic plan, while using your insights and skills to drive success in alignment with our values.
• Encourage teamwork and help people with different ideas and needs work together to make decisions.
• Take part in meetings, workshops, and training sessions that help improve your ability to do your job well.
• Focus on finding practical solutions to a range of issues, helping to meet both immediate and long-term needs of the District.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job description is intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of the job incumbents. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

• Provide professional learning and conduct functional assessments of behavior for students with complex behavioral health support needs in accordance with both Federal and State laws and regulations.
• Develop materials and provide resources for professional learning to administrators, educators, paraeducators, and parents/guardians in effective. culturally responsive, and trauma-informed behavioral support strategies.
• Plan and oversee the development and implementation of programs, policies, and best practices related to instruction including the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for students with disabilities.
• Participate as an evaluation/IEP team member in comprehensive evaluation, review, and re-evaluation processes as appropriate
• Assist district staff with the development and implementation of behavior support plans, and effective strategies for students with disabilities and behavioral support needs.
• Provide coaching and assistance to certificated and classified staff in the development and implementation of behavior intervention plans.
• Develop and assist in implementing fade plans for students with 1:1 support.
• Collaborate with district personnel, families, and IEP Team members to design and implement positive behavioral support strategies.
• Provide instruction and support directly to students with complex behavioral support needs.
• Assist district staff with supporting students who are transitioning from alternative programs to regular school programs.
• Collect data and prepare a variety of reports to document case history, assessments, and intervention.
• Travel from site to site and/or perform to provide direct intervention, consultation, and collaboration for students and families.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect children, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Provide supervision of registered behavior technicians working 1:1 with students with complex behavioral support needs
• Maintain a positive, professional, and supportive attitude in all settings.
• Perform other job-related duties as requested.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of best practices and laws governing behavioral support for students with disabilities.

Knowledge of designing, implementing, and maintaining skills-based treatment protocols.

Knowledge of training and/or experience in trauma-informed practices, adverse childhood experiences, and neuro-biological basis of behavior.

Skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing.

Skill in navigating common challenges to effectively meet customer service needs.

Ability to comply with applicable district, local, State, and federal laws, as well as policies and practices.

Ability to apply sound judgment, critical thinking and decision making.

Ability to creatively solve problems and work through the conflict resolution process.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and to take initiative.

Ability to use computer hardware and software, including applications.

Ability to manage work time and tasks efficiently.

Ability to lead, guide, and coordinate others and interact respectfully with a variety of partners.

Ability to gather, analyze and share data with various partners and maintain confidentiality.

Ability to take initiative and schedule activities; lead, guide, and coordinate others.

Ability to have consistent, prompt and punctual attendance.

Ability to serve the varied needs of people with cultural sensitivity and relevance using an equity and inclusion lens.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree plus three years' experience working as a behavior specialist or related field preferred. Experience conducting functional behavior assessments and writing behavior support plans for students with behavioral support needs. Experience designing and implementing training around behavioral support using ABA principles and research-based practices. or, any combination of targeted job-related education and experience which provides the applicant with the requisite knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the work and that meets applicable requirements of the position may be considered.

REQUIRED LICENSES/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certification; WA State Educational Support Associate (ESA) License or willingness to obtain one. Preferred Willingness to obtain certification in trauma informed de-escalation strategies. Prospective employees who are likely to have unsupervised access to children, disabled persons or vulnerable adults during the course of employment will undergo a background check clearance based on the laws declared by RCW Chapter 43.43.830. Must complete a Sexual Misconduct Disclosure process with results satisfactory to the district. Hold a current First Aid/CPR card or have the ability to obtain one before the first day of employment.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director for Student Support Services

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Work Year: 180 days aligned with the academic school calendar, plus 4 Enrichment Days (August 25, 26, 27, 2026, and February 16, 2027)

Paid Hours: 7.0 per day, plus 30 minute unpaid lunch period

Contract Hours: Work day starts 30 minutes before the student bell schedule and concludes 30 minutes after the student day ends at the work location

Salary: 2025-26 OEA Salary Schedule* (Includes Base contract and a Professional Responsibility & Enrichment Supplemental Contract (PRESC), at minimum)

• This Position will be paid at the 2026-27 OEA Salary Schedule

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Experiences frequent interruptions.
• Required to meet inflexible deadlines
• Requires concentration to details
• Have precise control of fingers and hand movements
• May deal with angry or distraught people
• Experience demands from a variety of situations and people, including students, parents, community, and staff
• Involves 50% sitting, 25% walking, and 25% standing
• At times, this work may require work on a computer screen for periods of time
• Required to attend evening/weekend meetings or activities
• This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

The District reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills, or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. The District reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

BARGAINING UNIT: OEA

FLSA: Exempt

BENEFITS:

Eligibility for benefits is determined by the number of hours an employee is anticipated to work during the school year (September 1 through August 31). Employees anticipated to work 630 hours or more in a year are eligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, long-term disability and the employee assistance program.

The district's healthcare benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority (HCA) under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Benefit eligible employees also qualify to optionally participate in deferred compensation/403B plans, dependent care flexible spending/health savings accounts, and additional life insurance and/or added long-term disability coverage through employee contributions. Sick leave, vacation, personal leave, and any paid holidays are aligned with bargaining agreements by association, as listed on our website.

Other benefits include VEBA, which is a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) and serves as a way to contribute dollars on a pre-tax basis for out of pocket benefits costs, whether it be for medical, dental or vision premiums, or any other out of pocket medical expenses. This benefit is available, based on the outcome of annual voting of employees by group.

The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills, or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. The District reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Nondiscrimination in Education and Employment:

Orting School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, marital status, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination and their offices are located at 121 Whitesell St NE, Orting, WA 98360:

Civil Rights Compliance/Title IX/ADA Coordinator

Carrie Joy, Director of Human Resources

360-893-6500, ext. 4028

joyc@orting.wednet.edu

Section 504 Coordinator

Dr. Jennifer Westover, Executive Director for Student Support Services

360-893-6500, ext. 4027

westoverj@orting.wednet.edu

Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint can be accessed here.

Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.