Director of Behavioral Services

The Children's Guild is seeking a Director of Behavioral Services who will be responsible for leading a program to support students from their current settings, such as public schools, separate public day schools, juvenile detention centers, or hospitals. It provides a more restrictive environment for a brief period to offer behavioral and individualized support. This helps with student reintegration back into their home school or identifies the need for a non-public placement.

Key Responsibilities:
 

• Facilitate program implementation to enhance Individualized Education Program (IEP) services and Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP) for students within the school community

• Demonstrate knowledge of human behavior and child development, including understanding of the factors that contribute to dysfunctional behavior through Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) and implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Coordinate programs to ensure effective service delivery while overseeing funding agreements and program budgets
• Monitor progress and evaluate program effectiveness in improving student experiences and outcomes through data-based decision making
• Ensure compliance with MSDE regulations and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) principles

• Lead and facilitate communication between the school and its partners to ensure alignment of outcomes
• Assess potential crisis intervention situations involving both individuals and groups and utilize de-escalation techniques
• Oversee the development, tracking, dissemination, and proper implementation of IEP mandated accommodations for students during state testing events
• Collaborate directly with parents, as needed to answer questions and ensure that all school actions are in compliance, and are in the interest of maximizing the student learning in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
• Provide informal assessments for new enrollments and work with admissions, reviewing student packets and assuring proper placement

 Ideal Candidates Have: 

• Strong background in special education; experience with children/adolescents with autism and/or developmental disabilities
• Experience in program coordination and management
• Knowledge of MSDE regulations, special education compliance, and IEP processes
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in a range of therapeutic modalities to address developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs in children, adolescents, and families is required
• Knowledge of intervention planning for developing behavior modification strategies that focus on reducing problem behaviors
• Training and clinical experience in providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) to children and families
• Experience working with children with autism spectrum disorders preferred

Education and Experience: 

• Master’s Degree and current Maryland State Department of Education teaching certificate in Special Education are required. Additional areas of concentration may include elementary or secondary education
• BCBA, Psy.D., or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW – C or LCPC) preferred
• Advanced certification preferred with a minimum of 3 years’ teaching experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, computer proficiency, and a demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse disciplines and individuals
• Must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in all aspects of the special education IEP Team process
• Knowledgeable about MSDE regulatory compliance

Benefits of Working for The Children’s Guild: 

While working at The Children’s Guild, you not only get to leave work each day knowing you’ve positively impacted a child’s life, but you also get to experience these benefits:   

• Working a school schedule with no nights and weekends required 
• A fantastic, values-focused culture of Transformation Education   
• Opportunity to learn and grow 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, and supplemental insurance plans including long-term disability and company paid short-term disability insurance
• A generous leave package, including an annual mental health day  
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with a discretionary company match  
• Access to financial planning advice from a certified financial advisor
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options  
• An Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  
• Professional development support for continuing education 

Join us in our mission to transform lives! Apply now to become part of The Children's Guild family in the Greater Baltimore area.

Together, we can create brighter futures for the children who need us most.