Early Childhood Behavioral Specialist-Brookings, SD

This position collaborates closely with teachers, families, and program leadership to implement positive behavior support strategies, promote emotional well-being, and ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive in early learning settings. The Behavioral Specialist serves as a resource for staff and families by providing coaching, behavior intervention strategies, developmental guidance, and support services that foster healthy social-emotional growth and school readiness.

TITLE: Early Childhood Behavioral Specialist

REPORTS TO: Early Childhood Center Director

CLASSIFIED: Full-Time, Exempt

LOCATION: Brookings, SD

MISSION: To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

JOB SUMMARY: The Early Childhood Behavioral Specialist supports the social, emotional, and behavioral development of children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment. This position collaborates closely with teachers, families, and program leadership to implement positive behavior support strategies, promote emotional well-being, and ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive in early learning settings.

The Behavioral Specialist serves as a resource for staff and families by providing coaching, behavior intervention strategies, developmental guidance, and support services that foster healthy social-emotional growth and school readiness.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Child Support & Intervention

• Observe and assess children's social-emotional and behavioral development.
• Develop and implement individualized behavior support plans when needed.
• Utilize evidence-based positive behavior support techniques.
• Support children experiencing challenges with self-regulation, peer interactions, transitions, and emotional development.
• Model appropriate behavioral interventions for teachers and caregivers.
• Monitor progress and adjust intervention strategies as needed.

Staff Collaboration & Coaching

• Partner with teachers to create developmentally appropriate classroom management strategies.
• Provide coaching and training on positive guidance techniques.
• Assist staff in identifying social-emotional concerns and developmental milestones.
• Support classroom environments that promote inclusion, belonging, and emotional safety.
• Participate in team meetings and program planning sessions.

Family Engagement

• Build positive relationships with parents and guardians.
• Provide resources and education related to child development and behavior management.
• Conduct family conferences regarding behavioral concerns and progress.
• Collaborate with families to ensure consistency between home and school support strategies.
• Connect families with community resources and support services when appropriate.

Program Support

• Assist in implementing social-emotional learning initiatives.
• Maintain accurate documentation of observations, interventions, and outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with licensing regulations and organizational policies.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and referrals when necessary.
• Support inclusion practices for children with diverse developmental needs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position works primarily in early childhood classrooms serving infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. The environment is active, fast-paced, and focused on creating safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate experiences for young children.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of experience working with young children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
• Knowledge of child development and early childhood behavioral health.
• Experience implementing positive behavior support strategies.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Preferred

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience in an early childhood education or childcare setting.
• Training in trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning, or behavioral intervention.
• Experience working with diverse populations and children with special needs.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Knowledge of infant, toddler, and preschool development.
• Ability to assess behavioral and developmental concerns.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills.
• Effective conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children, families, and staff.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to move throughout classrooms and outdoor play areas.

• Ability to lift and carry children and equipment up to 40 pounds as necessary.

• Ability to sit, stand, bend, kneel, and engage in active play with children.

• Ability to respond quickly in emergency situations.

• This position is considered to be safety-sensitive.

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain nor be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace!

All qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, non-job-related disability, or any other protected class.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application/hiring process should contact Human Resources to communicate their request for accommodation at 605-692-3333.

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