Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) serves 5,300 students in 11 schools and employs nearly 1000 people. This is an exciting time of change and transformation at HPS. Although there are many strengths within the District and many students graduate college and career ready, last year, HPS was placed in receivership by the State of Massachusetts, due to chronically struggling performance well below the state average. The State appointed Dr. Stephen Zrike, a seasoned Massachusetts educator, as Receiver, to lead this exciting turnaround effort, which includes significant autonomy and flexibility from the traditional school system. For more information about the HPS Turnaround Plan, please visit: http://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/turnaroundplan.htm.  

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is a paraprofessional who works under the close, on-going supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA).  The RBT is primarily responsible for the direct implementation of skill- acquisition and implementation of behavior intervention plans developed by the supervisor (BCBA).  The RBT works under the supervision of the BCBA, but in collaboration with classroom teachers and educational teams. The RBT may also collect data and conduct certain types of assessments (e.g., stimulus preference assessments).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assists teachers and educational teams by helping students access the curriculum and working with children to help support behavioral & social needs. Assists in creating & implementing accommodations to increase optimal level of learning for students requiring modifications.  Assists in discrete trial training & verbal behavior strategy implementation. May assist in planning and implementing field trips for the purpose of reinforcing behavioral/social objectives. Assists in day to day staff training for all areas listed above.
2. Obtain ongoing supervision for a minimum of 5% of the hours spent engaging in student skills acquisition activities, behavior change strategies per month.
3. Monthly supervision must include at least 2 face-face, synchronous contacts per month during which the supervisor observes the RBT engaging in skill acquisition or behavioral change activities.
4. Measurement and data collection.
5. Assessment of preference and behavior.
6. Student skill acquisition.
7. Performs tasks assigned by the BCBA.
8. Monitors students’ behavior inside and outside of the classroom. Assists in training & implementation of antecedent strategies to prevent occurrence of target behaviors, as well as de-escalation strategies if target behaviors occur
9. Attends a variety of in-service training sessions and other related meetings.
10. Participates baseline testing students in a variety of areas, including academic and social progress.  Enters and updates student information in applicable computer programs.
11. Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree or higher; OR Completing at least two years, or 48 credit hours of study at an institution of higher education; OR taking and passing a formal assessment measuring one’s knowledge of and ability to assist classroom teachers in reading, writing, and mathematics. (Parapro Assessment and workKeys)

• Three years of experience in working with students/clients with autism, developmental delays, intellectual impairments, communication disorders, and/or social/behavioral deficits disorders; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• Experience working in an urban setting, preferred
• Experience working with diverse student populations, preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills 
• Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply 

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS: (positions in this class typically require):

Licensing Requirements to complete RBT credentials, the applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Complete a 40 hour training program (BACB certificant) based on the RBT Task List,  completed within 90 days of employment;
• Pass the RBT competency Assessment administered by a BACB certificant;
• Pay a $50 application fee (annual renewal fees are $35 paid by the employee);
• Ability to obtain First Aid, Restraint & de-escalation, and CPR certification within 30 days of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Positions in this class typically require:  stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Incumbents may be subjected to odors, extreme temperatures, and intense noises.