The Ankeny Community School District (CSD) is renowned for its excellence across academics, athletics, the arts, and various activities. Situated in central Iowa, just 6 miles from Des Moines, Ankeny CSD caters to over 12,800 students from preschool through 12th grade, making it the 7th largest district in the state. With a strong reputation for its commitment to student success and a competitive salary and benefits package, Ankeny CSD is a standout choice for both educators and families seeking a high-quality educational environment.

JDE: 5.64

Behavior Strategist

Purpose Statement

The Behavior Strategist will collaborate with educators to address the learning and behavior management needs of students exhibiting challenging behaviors. The role involves developing individualized behavior intervention plans, designing specialized program curricula, ensuring the consistent and evidence-based application of intervention strategies, and building the capacity of school staff to implement these practices effectively. The position is focused on improving student outcomes by supporting behavior change, academic achievement, and social-emotional development.

Job Title: Behavior Strategist

Salary Grade: Grade 13

Reports To : Director of Special Education

Contract: 220 Day Contract

Wage/Hour Status : Non-Exempt

Benefit Summary: A

Minimum Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Development, Education, Psychology, Social Work or a related field.
• Licensed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners as a Special Education Teacher-Strat II BD/LD, School Psychologist, or School Social Worker.
• CPI Trainer certification or willingness to obtain within six (6) months of hire.
• Comprehensive understanding of relevant legal requirements, including IDEA, Chapter 103 (Seclusion and Restraint), Iowa Special Education Procedures, and related policies.

Desired Qualifications:

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
• Masters Degree in Behavioral Science, Behavioral Analysis, Psychology or a related field.
• A minimum of five years of experience in applied behavior analysis, school-based mental health, or working with behavior-related disabilities.
• Prior experience in instructional coaching or consulting in educational settings.

Essential Functions

Behavioral Support:

• Provide consultation and coaching to teachers and staff in supporting students with significant behavioral challenges, ensuring that interventions align with students' needs and educational goals.

Program Development:

• Collaborate with educators and teams to develop and refine Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Functional Behavioral Analyses (FBAs), and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) to address specific behavioral needs.

Team Collaboration:

• Work closely with building-level and district-wide teams to support the implementation of student programming, ensuring alignment across academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Support the development and implementation of data collection systems to monitor the effectiveness of behavior interventions and academic models. Analyze student data to assess the success of interventions.

Crisis Management:

• Model and train staff in crisis prevention and intervention strategies, emphasizing verbal de-escalation and the use of non-violent physical restraint when necessary.

Social-Emotional Learning:

• Develop and facilitate structures for social-emotional learning (SEL) and prosocial behavior development within the framework of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).

Professional Development:

• Deliver training sessions to staff on best practices for behavior management, classroom strategies, and the implementation of evidence-based behavioral interventions.

Family and Student Support:

• Provide trauma-informed support to students and their families, fostering an inclusive, supportive school environment.

Continuous Improvement:

• Regularly meet with school teams to engage in data-based problem-solving and support staff in ongoing professional development and capacity-building.

Other Functions

• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Serve as a member of relevant building and district level committees as assigned.
• Travel within the district on a daily basis. Travel outside the district on an occasional basis.
• Form positive relationships with staff, parents, and students.
• Demonstrates integrity and maintains confidentiality.
• Is respectful and appropriately interacts with staff, students, and visitors.
• Works well with others, maintaining positive and effective communication with all school personnel.
• Upholds and adheres to safety rules and policies of the Ankeny Community School District safety program.
• Supports the goals and objectives of the school district and follows all district policies.
• Demonstrates the ability to attend work on a regular and routine basis to avoid disruption to district operations
• Perform all duties in a safe manner to avoid injury to oneself and/or others.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:
• Appropriate codes, policies, regulations, and/or laws
• Age appropriate activities
• Instruction and assessment practices
• Behavioral management strategies
• Child development, brain development, and best practices in education
• Curriculum development
• Safety practices and procedures
• Conflict resolution
• Crisis de-escalation techniques

• Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:
• Interacting effectively with students, teachers/staff, the community and parents
• Adhering to safety practices
• Operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records
• Using district approved crisis intervention techniques

• Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:
• Establishing and maintaining constructive relationships
• Ability to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events
• Gather collate, and/or classify data
• Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances
• Ability to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups
• Ability to problem solve
• Exhibiting tact and patience
• Adaptability to changing work priorities
• Maintaining confidentiality

Working Environment

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

The usual and customary methods of performing the position functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, reaching, driving, standing and walking. Working conditions may include extreme temperatures and humidity. Hazards may include exposure to communicable diseases. This position requires one to maintain emotional control under stress.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods. Utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform position functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Terms of Employment

Work year established by the District; Salary according to schedule adopted annually.

Clearances

Background Clearance

Evaluation

Job performance will be evaluated annually, as per district policies and procedures

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Approved by: Justin Mohr Date: January 27th, 2025

Ankeny Community School District is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of the District to provide equal employment opportunities and not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, age or marital status in its employment and personnel practices. The job categories where the representative groups are underrepresented.