Program Specialist at New England Center for Children Inc – Southborough, Massachusetts

Potential Program Specialist positions are available in the IIP, Residential, and ITT Programs. The Program Specialist will work under the supervision of the Program Director.

The Program Specialist is responsible for the management of the clinical, educational and training needs of a team of staff and students. The Program Specialist is responsible for the integration of the coordinator functions to assure consistent implementation of and timely modification of programs targeting IEP objectives to maximize student skill acquisition and independence for their designated team of students and teachers.

The Program Specialist’s essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to; demonstration of leadership, functioning as an effective staff supervisor, mentor and trainer, effective communication, clinical supervision, educational supervision, and the completion of a variety of administrative tasks. The Coordinators, Specialist and Director are responsible for the entire team’s operation, 24 hours a day.

Professional Excellence

• Follows NECC Employee Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics
• Maintains an Environment of Respect for all staff and students
• Familiarity with current research in best practice in behavior analysis and education

Supervision and Leadership

• Delivers effective feedback to maintain staff performance and team morale
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills and promotes teamwork for all teachers and coordinators
• Collaborates with coordinators, supervisors, Specialty Services and members of other departments in a professional manner
• Provides direct training and observations on education and behavior programs as needed
• Supervises all team members and provides mentorship to all team members
• Primary supervisor and mentor for team coordinators (Education, Day, Residential)
• Delegates and supervises team roles

• Oversee the health and safety of the staff and students

Communication and Collaboration

• Collaborate with various departments to ensure students receive all necessary services (EFS, SLP APE, OT/PT, Vocational, Academic, etc.)
• Works with the medical staff to ensure all medical needs of the students are addressed
• Collaborates and communicates effectively with families (e.g. parent training, pre/post psych clinic, restraint notification, etc.)
• Communicates with external stakeholders related to student needs (LEAs, DCF, etc.)
• Provides prompt communication to assistant director and/or program director regarding both student and family issues.

Clinical/Educational Responsibilities

• Follows standards for best practice for the reduction of problem behavior and acquisition of skills and staff and student safety
• Assures student clinical and educational programs are effective and modified in a timely manner
• Demonstrates fluency with and completes assessments as needed to develop student behavior guidelines
• Present with the team conducting observations, clinical work, ongoing observation of student program implementation at the school and residence as needed
• Attends and is prepared for all relevant educational, clinical and team meetings
• Acts as restraint coordinator for the team and makes sure all staff are trained in protective measures.
• Takes an active role in educational activities, including but not limited to providing direction and support to the Education Coordinator
• Responsible for ensuring all required meetings, assessments, documentation and reviews are completed (e.g. peer review, Clinical Case Review, reevaluation assessments, Assessment meeting, etc.)
• Responsible for targeting Social Behavior IEP objectives and drafting relevant IEP section and Behavior Intervention Plan
• In conjunction with all members of the IEP team, ensures all objectives on the IEP are being addressed, that all appropriate curriculum is active on ACE, with ongoing data, monitors student progress

Prioritizes and Completes Administrative Responsibilities

• Works in collaboration with Program Director and Human Resources to ensure feedback is documented and/or related follow-up is completed as needed
• Ensure/collaborates with team supervisors
• Accountable for ensuring all mandatory reports are completed on time (Progress Reports, DESE and EEC reports, 90-Day and Annual Staff Evaluation, etc.)
• Ensures team-specific and van Calm-P lesson plans are trained and updated
• Keeps PM Database updated and turns DESE and ECC data in on time

General

• All Program Specialist positions at NECC include but are not limited to:
  • Driving between school and residence, and to other school-related trips and appointments
  • The operation of household appliances and school equipment
  • Implementation of all safety and emergency procedures

Education/Experience

• Applicants must possess a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis or Education with extensive practical training and experience in Applied Behavior Analysis.
• BCBA and LABA required.
• Experience in staff training and supervision required.
• Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Deadline to apply: Friday, March 14, 2025

Questions related to the application process should be directed to Christine Rosario, HR Business Partner at crosario@necc.org

*A detailed job description is available in the Human Resources Department