Therapeutic Behavior Support Specialist, Functional Therapeutic School - Heron Creek
Location: Heron Creek Campus, 17600 Pacific Hwy, Marylhurst, OR 97036
Schedule: 8 hours per day/ 5 days per week/ 190-day Instructional School Year Calendar
Clackamas ESD strives to infuse equity in all our programs and bodies of work by maintaining an inclusive, barrier-free environment in which everyone participates and fully benefits.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be the one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources at hr@clackesd.org to discuss your application.
Find your "why" with Clackamas ESD
At Clackamas Education Service District, our mission is to lead, serve and innovate for learning. Clackamas ESD provides services in early learning, special education, technology and teacher/staff support to Clackamas County school districts. We ensure students and families in all of our communities — big and small — have access to equitable education services. Learn more.
About the program:
The Heron Creek Programs assess the collective strengths of students, families, schools and the community to develop collaborative plans, enabling students with significant social, emotional, behavioral and academic challenges to learn and use skills to meet their educational goals in the least restrictive environment. The Heron Creek Programs will be differentiated from behavioral classrooms in the inclusive approach of the team. The programs are evidence-based with an emphasis on family participation; integration of education and school based mental health service throughout the day, as well as the maintenance of continuous connections between the student, family and local school district personnel. The program will emphasize strengths-based assessment and collaboration with local systems of care.
About this position:
The Behavior Support Specialist provides behavior support services for students who attend the ESD’s Heron Creek program. The Specialist assists educators to use, and implement, evidence-based behavior support and intervention strategies for students experiencing challenging behavior. The Specialist provides professional development activities for staff in behavior techniques, using the ESD selected prevention and crisis response system.
Essential functions:
Assists ESD staff in the Heron Creek Program to develop and implement evidence-based behavior supports and interventions that meets the standards of best practice and Oregon Administrative Rules for behavior support, prevention, de-escalation, and crisis response techniques including the use of safe restraint and seclusion
Collaborates with school teams to develop functional hypothesis and behavior support plans, including a defined method of collecting data on the effectiveness of the interventions
Obtain and maintains certification in the Non-Violent Conflict Intervention (NCI) behavior support program
Design, teaches, and arranges for Heron Creek staff development for NCI, using strategies designed to maximize adult learning
Demonstrates rigorous adherence to, and deep respect for, the principles, approach, and content of the ESD selected behavior prevention and intervention system
Actively participates as a member of a team to systematically review, analyze, revise, and document behavior incidents that involve the use of restraint or seclusion
Provides training and assists educators to implement individual and classroom behavior management methods and procedures designed to facilitate learning
Maintains knowledge of best practices and school reform initiatives in instruction and behavior supports for students with cognitive disabilities and communicates information to instructional staff, as professional development needs are identified
Maintains knowledge of state and federal special education regulations and procedures regarding referral, identification, evaluation, placement, and provision of a free appropriate public education
Minimum qualifications:
Current Oregon Teaching License with appropriate Special Education endorsement
Recent successful experience supporting students with developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder as well as students with significant challenges in behavior: ED, OHI
Ability to complete appropriate Oregon State approved behavioral intervention training, such as Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI), Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in order to carry out therapeutic interventions and provide training to others on CESD’s adopted system
Demonstrated ability to design and provide staff development to educators utilizing effective instructional strategies for adult learners
Knowledge about effective school-based behavior supports for students with disabilities including both prevention and intervention strategies
Ability to collaborate with classroom team to develop data collection processes to support functional behavior assessments
Demonstrated ability to assess and analyze behavior using evidence-based strategies to conduct functional behavior assessment and generate behavior support plans
Demonstrated ability to implement individual behavior support plans including the collection and analysis of data to inform decisions
Demonstrated ability to utilize collaborative consultation skills that identify and focus on meeting the needs of the student experiencing behavioral challenges
Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups in meetings and workshop settings
Knowledge and skills to provide culturally competent services
Ability to acquire and maintain a valid first aid and CPR card
Demonstrated ability to effectively engage in a variety of team-based service delivery, planning, decision making, and problem solving
Demonstrate the ability to compose and produce concise professional documents in a timely manner
Written and oral communication skills sufficient to perform essential job functions
Physical and mental attributes sufficient to perform essential functions
Salary: Salary based on experience. See the Licensed Salary Schedule for 2025-26 school year. *Salary is based on a 190 day work year, and prorated based on FTE and total number of work days.
Benefits:
Full medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous district-paid contribution (most employees pay $0 out of pocket to maintain health insurance coverage)
Retirement through the Oregon Public Retirement System (PERS) includes pension and individual account program
Paid time off, including paid holidays, sick leave, and other personal leave
Opportunities to grow with us with generous professional development expense reimbursements
Clackamas ESD covers the full cost of fingerprinting for new employees, saving you $82.50 - a benefit not offered by most other districts
Read more about our benefits here
Retirement plan contributions:
Clackamas ESD employees working 600 or more hours in a calendar year are eligible for the Oregon Public Employee Retirement, or PERS. There are two components to PERS, including the pension, which is primarily funded by CESD and The Individual Account Program, or IAP, which is funded by a six-percent deduction from your paycheck. If you are new to PERS, your PERS deduction will begin automatically after a six-month waiting period.
How to apply:
Submit your application at https://www.applitrack.com/clackesd/onlineapp/. Applications for this position must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the listed closing date and must include:
Cover Letter
Resume
Completed application form
Clackamas Education Service District is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce along with the students and families that we serve.
Clackamas ESD policy provides veterans and disabled veterans with preference as required by law.
Clackamas ESD Notice of Nondiscrimination
