Recovery School District
Job Description – Behavioral Specialist
Job Title:
Behavioral Specialist
Reports to:
Educational Support Services Director
Domicile:
New Orleans, Louisiana
Salary Range:
Salary Commensurate with Education and Experience
Recovery School District:
The Recovery School District (RSD) is one of the newest and most innovative public school
districts in the country. Formed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, it is a State-run entity that is
responsible for 112 public schools in Orleans Parish. The mission of the Recovery School
District is create to a world-class public education system in New Orleans in which every
decision focuses on the best interests of the children. We are building a team of highly
motivated and results-oriented professionals who will be committed to making the most of this
once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent public education in New Orleans.
Scope of Responsibilities:
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Provides consultation to Program Team or school district pre-referral systems
Suggests intervention strategies with a preventative focus, including documentation.
Provides informal assessment of behavior for students suspected of having emotional
disturbance
Works cooperatively with school staff and parents to develop, implement and track
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to meet student learning and selfsufficiency needs
Plans and implements service delivery models, including individual, small group and
classroom settings and schedules in assigned schools and programs
Provides consultation services and/or in-services to RSD staff, district staff,
administrators and parents regarding learning, self-sufficiency, behavioral and other
student needs
Prepares, organizes, and maintains confidential files and student records in
accordance with RSD, state and federal policies and guidelines
Maintains open communication to keep districts informed of the activities and
services of the program
Assists districts with district-wide special projects and/or committee work
Coordinates and cooperates with outside agencies to provide services to students with
self-sufficiency, behavioral, and other student needs
Works cooperatively and collaboratively as a team member using good interpersonal
relationship and communication skills
Performs other duties as assigned
Recovery School District
Job Description – Behavioral Specialist
Qualifications/Minimum Job Requirements:
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Education equivalent to a Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology,
psychiatric nursing, public health nursing, child development, or a related field
Two (2) years of related experience; or educational equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree
in social work, counseling, psychology, psychiatric nursing, public health nursing,
child development, or a related field and four (4) years of related experience; or
possession of a Louisiana certificate as a special education teacher and four (4) years
of related experience working with children under the age of ten
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Desired:
Knowledge of
 Principles of human behavior indicative of mental or physical dysfunction
 Counseling, psychotherapy, and other techniques of case management
 Community resources in the field of childhood behavioral health
 Physical and mental illnesses and their impact upon personality
 Social aspects of mental and emotional disturbances; behavior modification
techniques and behavioral treatment plans
 Curriculum adaptation methodology
 Adaptation of appropriate curriculum and behavioral interventions
 Sections of the state and federal regulations relevant to behavioral interventions
 Standard office equipment
 Clerical activities related to an organization's programs and operations
Ability to
 Apply the principles and practices associated with early childhood behavioral health
issues
 Maintain confidentiality of patient/client information
 Research, compile, and summarize a variety of informational and statistical data and
materials
 Organize work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following-up on
assignments with a minimum of direction
 Analyze, evaluate and diagnose situations and adopt effective courses of action
 Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff members,
clients, and the general public
 Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; read, analyze and interpret
professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government
regulations
 Secure accurate clinical data and systematically record such data
 Prepare clear and concise reports; maintain accurate records
 Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
 Operate standard office equipment
 Utilize various software programs relevant to the position