Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, Social Work, or a related field.
- Experience working with children and adolescents in educational or therapeutic settings.
- Familiarity with mental health interventions and social-emotional learning frameworks is essential.
Crisis Intervention and Prevention:
- Respond to students in crisis by providing immediate emotional support and crisis management, ensuring the safety and well-being of the student.
- Participate in the development and implementation of crisis prevention strategies, including de-escalation techniques and the creation of safe spaces for students experiencing emotional distress.
Collaboration and Communication:
- Work closely with students, teachers, families, and community-based mental health professionals to provide comprehensive support that addresses the whole child.
- Serve as a liaison between the school, families, and mental health resources, ensuring a coordinated approach to mental health and SEL services.
- Regularly communicate progress, concerns, and recommendations to staff and families through meetings, reports, and conferences.
Additional Notes
Job Summary:
The Behavior Interventionist is responsible for providing direct support to students’ mental health and social-emotional learning (SEL) needs in alignment with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) standards and guidelines. The primary focus of this role is to enhance students' mental health and well-being by implementing targeted interventions, fostering SEL development, and collaborating with school staff, families, and external resources to promote a positive school climate.
Location: District Office/ Assigned Building
Reports To: Director of MTSS/SEL
Key Responsibilities:
Mental Health Support:
Identify students in need of mental health support through referrals, observations, and assessments.
Collaborate with school counselors, psychologists, and social workers to provide direct mental health interventions, such as coping strategies, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills.
Facilitate individual and group sessions to address issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavior challenges.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Integration:
- Implement and support school-wide SEL programs that promote emotional awareness, self-regulation, social skills, empathy, and responsible decision-making.
- Develop and facilitate SEL-focused activities and lessons in collaboration with classroom teachers.
- Help create a supportive environment where students can practice SEL skills in real-world situations.
Data Collection and Monitoring:
- Collect and analyze data related to students’ behavior, social-emotional progress, and mental health needs to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
- Adjust support plans as necessary based on ongoing data collection and student progress.
Professional Development and Training:
- Stay informed about current research, best practices, and ISBE guidelines regarding mental health support and SEL.
- Provide ongoing professional development and training for school staff on mental health awareness, trauma-informed practices, and SEL integration.
Compliance and Documentation:
- Ensure that all interventions and supports comply with ISBE standards for mental health and SEL.
- Maintain accurate documentation of student interactions, interventions, and progress by district policies and legal requirements.
Working Conditions:
The Behavior Interventionist will work primarily in the school setting, interacting with students, staff, and families daily. Flexibility in working hours may be required to accommodate meetings and student needs.
How to Apply
Prairie Hills Elementary District 144 is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
Link to District/Third Party Online Application Web Page
https://www.applitrack.com/phsd144/OnlineApp/default.aspx