Behavior Assistant Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Paraprofessional Information and Hiring Requirements
Lexington County School District One paraprofessionals must meet one of the following prior to their date of hire:

• 60 college credit hours
• An associate degree or higher
• A passing score on the ParaPro or ParaPathways Assessment (available at ETS.org)

Need the ParaPro or ParaPathways Assessment?
Register HERE to take it at our Adult Education Center.
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Position Title: Applied Behavior Therapist Assistant (ABTA)

Department: Special Services

Reports To: Director of Special Services

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

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QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least two years of study (60 semester hours) at an accredited institution of higher education; or
• An associate's degree (or higher); or
• A passing score on the ParaPro or ParaPathways Assessment.
• Successful completion of 12 hours of competency-based training in the implementation of Applied Behavior Therapy
• A minimum of three hours of training in autism

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Must have current government issued identification
Must have reliable method of transportation

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

8 Hours/185 Days

Support Salary Schedule (Grade 9)

The terms of employment detailed in this job description are based on full time employment during the school year. Conditions of employment adjusted for part time employees or individuals who are hired for less than an entire school year.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the autism specialist and the lead therapist, works with students individually to implement interventions using techniques based on the Principles of Behavior to increase socially significant behaviors for learners with an autism spectrum disorder; uses intervention strategies such as Pairing, Discrete Trial Teaching, Reinforcement, and Error Correction Procedures; works on goals identified by the IEP team as areas of weakness which need extra support from Applied Behavior Therapy (ABT) as a related service; provides Intensive 1:1 teaching in a therapy room or classroom; and may also provide support in a group setting to ensure skills taught in isolation are generalized.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supports and upholds the mission, vision and strategic goals of Lexington County School District One towards increased outcomes for students.
• Interacts, communicates and collaborates with all stakeholders effectively.
• Establishes a safe, supportive, positive and productive working and learning environment.
• Operates general office and technology equipment needed for daily activities.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding all employee and student information.
• Participates in all professional meetings and training sessions as required.
• Requests and maintains materials needed for daily responsibilities and essential functions; provides for safe storage and proper use of all tools, equipment and materials.
• Provides individualized intensive therapy to assigned students.
• Collects data from the daily cold probe and then teaches the skill or concept to the learner.
• Collects observational data while in the classroom or other setting where the learner may be required to use the skills taught.
• Supports a learner in a lesser restrictive environment such as related arts or general education classes as needed. Collects data on the targeted skills for that environment.
• Under the direction of the autism specialist or lead therapist, provides behavioral support and crisis management when needed which may include the use of Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).
• Makes new note cards for teaching when a target has been mastered; makes new data collection forms when one has been filled up; and keeps teaching cards and materials organized.
• Completes therapy notes on a daily basis and fills out daily notes for parents in the learner's ABT notebook.
• Prepares materials and data paperwork for each teaching session to ensure the session flows smoothly.
• Keeps work station in a neat and orderly fashion.
• Provides basic first-aid to a learner if necessary.
• Provides feedback to the autism specialist or lead therapist regarding programming issues or concerns regarding progress.
• Performs other related duties as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervisory responsibilities with students.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Lexington County School District One Board policies. Must be able to access reliable transportation.

Personal computer experience required. Strong knowledge of word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, electronic file management, the internet, and reporting and presentation software.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to apply knowledge and current research and theory. Ability to organize and implement a flexible work schedule in order to meet reporting deadlines. Ability to self-monitor and manage multiple tasks while working individually and with members of a group.  Ability to submit all requested reports and documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with scheduled deadlines. Some extended hours and multiple demands from several people are frequently required of the employee. Computer literacy required. 

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the school district which pertain to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Knowledge of school policies, procedures, and operations. Ability to demonstrate proper maintenance, safe operation, and utilization of equipment, materials, and supplies used in daily activities. Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy in exercising duties. Ability to anticipate work to be completed and to complete work without the need for direct supervision. Ability to maintain confidentiality of employee and student records and information. Ability to interact and communicate in an effective and professional manner with supervisors, co-workers, teachers, students, and the general public.   

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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

The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as boxes of materials. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as furniture or boxes of materials.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen and/or reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision. Occasionally the position requires the employee to work irregular or extended hours. Duties of the job require frequent use of a computer monitor and related equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Conducts duties in a classroom, therapy room, office, or other locations around a school as appropriate to meet the needs of the students. No significant exposure to adverse environmental factors. Requires ability to give constant attention to duties related to working with students with disabilities and assisting staff during a crisis period. Physical demands may include full physical prompting of students, moving or lifting children from the floor, and the ability to navigate playground equipment as needed. Travel may be required to serve students at different schools.

The noise level in the work environment for this position varies. The noise level in this environment is quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. 

EVALUATION:

Performance of this job is evaluated annually according to Board Policy.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The information contained in this job-description is intended for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY:

Lexington County School District One is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all students, parents/legal guardians, staff, visitors, personnel and community members who participate or seek to participate in its programs or activities. Therefore, the district does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions), color, disability, age, genetic information, national origin, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law.

The district will use the grievance procedures set forth in policy to process complaints based on alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; and Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.