Summary: The Student Relations and Crisis Intervention Specialist is responsible for the development, implementation, coordination, and continuous improvement of the Academy's student behavior support and crisis response programs. The position develops and implements policies, procedures, and behavioral support practices; coordinates school-wide crisis response efforts; oversees behavior documentation and plan implementation; and provides guidance to leadership and staff regarding student behavioral and emotional support.

This position uses independent judgment and discretion in evaluating behavioral trends, interpreting information, recommending interventions, developing behavior support strategies, ensuring regulatory and organizational compliance, and implementing operational improvements that promote student safety and program effectiveness. This position is also responsible for the development of behavior plans in conjunction with the student's academic/therapy team, leadership, and the student’s family and for training the student’s team on the plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Crisis Team Leadership

• Coordinate and oversee the Academy's crisis response program and ensure consistent implementation of crisis response procedures.
• Evaluate crisis situations and exercise independent judgment in determining appropriate response strategies consistent with established policies.
• Develop, implement, and revise crisis response procedures to improve student safety and operational effectiveness.
• Provide guidance and consultation to administrators and staff regarding crisis prevention and response.
• Conduct post-incident reviews, identify trends, and recommend program improvements.
• Collaborate with Director or designee regarding follow-up and family communication when needed.

Documentation & Tracking

• Oversee the school's behavioral documentation process and ensure compliance with documentation standards.
• Analyze behavioral data, identify trends, and recommend operational or procedural improvements.
• Review documentation for quality, consistency, and compliance with Academy requirements.
• Develop recommendations for improving documentation practices and behavioral support processes.
• Maintain confidential and organized student records related to crisis including documentation of staff implementation and compliance with behavior plan.

Team Coordination & Meetings

• Communicate and train classroom staff, therapists, and administration regarding student support needs and promote shared expectations, including consistency, across classrooms/settings.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary team meetings responsible for student behavioral support.
• Facilitate behavior planning meetings and guide collaborative decision-making.
• Facilitate meetings with administrators, teachers, therapists, and families regarding implementation of behavior support strategies.
• Interpret behavioral information and recommend appropriate interventions and program modifications.

Classroom Observation & Support (Non-ABA)

• Observe classroom environments to evaluate implementation of approved behavior plans and behavioral support practices.
• Assess environmental factors contributing to behavioral concerns and recommend modifications.
• Provide consultation and guidance to staff regarding implementation of approved behavioral supports.

Behavior Plan Development

• Lead development, implementation, evaluation, and periodic revision of behavior support plans.
• Evaluate behavioral information and make recommendations for appropriate interventions.
• Ensure behavior plans are consistently implemented across educational settings.
• Monitor effectiveness of behavior plans and recommend revisions based upon documented outcomes.

Student Relations & Emotional Support

• Develop school-wide strategies that promote positive student relationships and emotional well-being.
• Provide training and consultation to staff regarding effective behavioral and emotional support practices.

Collaboration & Professional Expectations

• Serve as the Academy's behavioral support resource for administrators, instructional staff, therapists, and families.
• Uses professional judgment and discretion in resolving behavioral issues, interpreting behavioral information, and recommending appropriate courses of action.
• Develop and deliver staff training regarding behavioral supports, crisis prevention, documentation, and implementation of behavior plans.
• Recommend procedural improvements that enhance consistency, compliance, and student outcomes.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Compliance/HIPAA:

While performing the duties of this job, employee will comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to Easterseals Arkansas.

Employee has access to all individual protected health information of the individuals directly served by this person, except psychotherapy notes. Employee will not attempt to access any other protected health information unless otherwise approved by Supervisor or Privacy Officer.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:  

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in education, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Master’s degree is preferred. 

• Experience working with students who have behavioral and emotional support needs. (Minimum of 3 year of experience; 5 years of experience preferred)

Competencies:

• Crisis intervention or safety training (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience leading teams and facilitating meetings.
• School-based experience supporting social-emotional learning.
• Strong documentation, organization, and communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in high-stress situations including providing guidance and direction to other staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with employees with various levels of experience, education, and backgrounds. 
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• Ability to professional judgment and discretion in evaluating behavioral, educational, and operational information
• Ability to resolve complex problems where established procedures may not fully address the circumstances

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• First Aid and CPR certification within the first 90 days
• Safety Care Training or other training as defined by Easterseals Arkansas (or willingness to obtain).

Physical Demands:

While performing the functions of this position, the employee will be required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands, both indoors and outdoors as student activities occur both inside of the school and outside when temperature is between 40 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. 

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.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts such as those in wheelchairs, standers, wheelchair lifts, etc. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet moderate.

Easterseals Arkansas has designated this position as a “non-safety sensitive” position under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment.