Head Start Behavior Specialist: Childhood Development Center (Short-Term)

Important Notifications:

Application Deadline: When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.

Current Employees: Do not apply via the OSU Career site. Instead, please login to your regular Workday account and visit the Jobs Hub to apply.

Department:

Child Development Center - College of Health

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Special Instructions to Applicants:

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1. A resume; and

2. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

For additional information please contact:

Kathleen McDonnell

kathleen.mcdonnell@oregonstate.edu

541-737-2516

Job Summary:

The Child Development Center in the College of Health at Oregon State University is seeking up to three (3) short-term, Head Start Behavior Specialists. These are full-time (1.00 FTE), 9-month, professional faculty positions.

The OSU Child Development Center (CDC) advances three important missions.

• Provides early learning experiences and family support services for preschool children and their families through Head Start and tuition-based options.

• Prepares the next generation of early childhood professionals by offering OSU students hands-on training and mentorship.

• Supports research that improves family-focused early learning practices and policies.

Part of the College of Health and affiliated with the School of Human Development and Family Sciences, the CDC uniquely integrates service, education and research to improve outcomes for children, families and students.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide regular, hands-on support to teachers and aides in implementing Tier 1 and Tier 2 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Pyramid Model practices.
• Conduct formal, objective classroom observations of children exhibiting persistent or intensive behavioral challenges.
• Maintain accurate and confidential behavioral records, documenting, tracking, and analyzing child behavior data using program-approved systems such as ChildPlus.
• Partner with parents and caregivers to share behavioral insights, gather relevant family and developmental history, and support consistent implementation of behavior support strategies across home and school environments.
• Participate in ongoing professional development to strengthen capacity in supporting children with behavioral and mental health needs.
• Ensure all behavioral documentation is maintained in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA, and applicable Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) regulations.
• Promote safe, inclusive learning environments by helping educators prevent suspensions and expulsions through proactive behavioral support and classroom management practices.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field.

• Three years of demonstrated experience supporting young children with social-emotional and behavioral needs in an early childhood setting.

• Oregon Registry Step 10 or higher

• Completion of required Health and Safety Training within 30 days of hire.

• Current or obtain Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens certification within 90 days of hire.

• Strong understanding of child development, early childhood mental health, trauma-informed practices, and positive behavior support.

• Ability to collect and analyze behavioral data and use findings to inform intervention planning.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, coaching, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, families, educators, and community partners.

• Commitment to culturally responsive, inclusive, and equitable practices.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data management systems such as ChildPlus.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, or a related field.
• Experience conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and developing Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs).
• Training in the Pyramid Model, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), trauma-informed care, Conscious Discipline, CPI, or other evidence-based behavioral support frameworks.
• Experience providing coaching and consultation to teachers and families.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards, IDEA, and Oregon Early Childhood Special Education systems.

Working Conditions/Schedule:

The work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional evening work may be required to support family engagement activities, meetings, or trainings. This position works primarily in early childhood classroom environments and requires regular interaction with young children, families, and staff. The employee must be able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor while working in busy, high-stimulation settings and during behavioral crises. Essential physical requirements include: · Ability to frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist, and sit on the floor or child-sized furniture to support children and implement classroom-based interventions. · Ability to move quickly throughout classrooms, playgrounds, and other program environments to ensure child safety and respond to behavioral emergencies, including elopement, aggression, or self-injurious behaviors.

Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must meet the following qualifications: · Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field · Three years of demonstrated experience supporting young children with social-emotional and behavioral needs in an early childhood setting; · Oregon Registry Step 10 or higher Required Certifications and Clearances · Completion of required Health and Safety Training within 30 days of hire. · Current or obtain Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens certification within 90 days of hire. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities · Strong understanding of child development, early childhood mental health, trauma-informed practices, and positive behavior support. · Ability to collect and analyze behavioral data and use findings to inform intervention planning. · Excellent communication, collaboration, coaching, and problem-solving skills. · Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, families, educators, and community partners. · Commitment to culturally responsive, inclusive, and equitable practices. · Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data management systems such as ChildPlus.

· Ability to lift, carry, or assist in moving up to 50 pounds when necessary to ensure child safety or respond to emergency situations. · Ability to rapidly assess situations and make sound decisions during behavioral, medical, or safety-related emergencies. · Ability to work effectively in environments with frequent noise, movement, and sensory stimulation while remaining calm and regulated. · Ability to implement approved de-escalation and safety procedures consistent with program policies and Oregon regulations. · Ability to respond appropriately, both physically and emotionally, during crisis situations involving children, families, or staff

Salary Range:

$44,000-$52,000

Anticipated Start Date:

2026-11-16

Anticipated End Date:

2027-06-10

When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

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