Head Start Behavior Specialist

Job Details

Level

Experienced

Job Location

YMCA of Frederick County - Frederick, MD

Secondary Job Location(s)

Undisclosed

Remote Type

N / A

Position Type

Full Time

Education Level

Undisclosed

Salary Range

$22.00 - $25.00 Hourly

Travel Percentage

Undisclosed

Job Shift

Undisclosed

Job Category

Undisclosed

Description

Deadline to Apply : November 3, 2025

POSITION SUMMARY :

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Behavior Specialist oversees the implementation of trauma responsive, social, emotional, mental and behavior health education services. The Specialist works closely with the Behavior, Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator and provides guidance, tracks pertinent data, and offers supports on mental and behavioral health services in alignment with the Head Start standards including a broad range of other activities and programs to support student success and kindergarten readiness, which are typical in a school and / or community childcaresetting. The Specialist also provides classroom support through classroom observations, writing Behavioral Intervention Plans, offering feedback on appropriate interactions and skills, and providing developmentally appropriate resources and training for children, teachers, and parents.

BENEFITS :

We offer an extensive benefits package for ourfull-timeemployees which includes :

• FreeHouseholdMembership
• MedicalDental&Vision
• Life insurance
• Shortand LongTerm Disability
• Retirement benefits will vest at 12% after 2 years of employment
• Discount onchildcare and other Y programs
• Paid Time Off
• Bereavement leave

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS :

The Behavior Specialist works in collaboration with the Behavior, Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator to implement and evaluate the mental health services program with Program Managers, Consultants and Specialists. This position establishes / maintains linkages with parents, staff, community professionals, schools, and agencies, assuring compliance with multiple regulatory standards throughout. Support / enable parents to become advocates for their children and assist families to access needed services and / or to advocate for unavailable services. The Behavior Disabilities Specialist must have the ability to effectively provide professional development for the Head Start staff in the areas of early childhood education, development, and best practices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS :

This position must posses the educational background, technical skills and related work experience necessary to effectively perform the duties of this position :

Education / Experience :

Computer Skills :

This position will have intermediate to advanced knowledge of programs maintained and used by the organization, including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Reasoning Ability :

Ability to know and implement the Head Start Program Performance Standards and policies. Ability to exercise professional judgment in evaluating before making decisions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, children and parents, and outside agencies. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions. Ability to summarize conclusions and instructions, then make recommendations and develop implementation strategies. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality at all times, including the ability to recognize situations in which confidentiality is required.

Mathematical Skills :

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, percentages, and overtime. Ability to produce and interpret graphs, charts, spreadsheets, and other mathematical reports.

Language Skills :

Ability to communicate ideas and instructions orally and in writing.