Head Start Behavior Specialist
Help Children Thrive. Empower Teachers. Strengthen Classrooms. Every child brings unique strengths, needs, and challenges to the classroom. As a Behavioral Health Specialist, you’ll work alongside Head Start teachers and staff to help create positive, supportive environments where children can learn, grow, and succeed.
Head Start is more than preschool. Our comprehensive approach brings together early learning, health, nutrition, and family engagement to support the whole child and strengthen families.
In this role, you’ll provide teachers with guidance, training, and practical strategies for addressing challenging behaviors, supporting social-emotional development, and building on each child’s strengths. You’ll collaborate with education, disabilities, and mental health staff to help connect children with the individualized support and services they need.
If you’re passionate about helping young children overcome challenges and giving teachers the tools to help them succeed, this is an opportunity to make an impact that reaches far beyond the classroom.
Essential Functions
- Support children, teachers, and families through behavioral health and special education services, including referrals, evaluations, and individualized support planning.
- Provide classroom coaching, behavioral interventions, and social-emotional skill development to promote positive learning environments.
- Conduct observations, assessments, and behavior analyses to identify needs and develop effective intervention strategies.
- Collaborate with teachers, families, specialists, and community partners to coordinate services and support children with disabilities and behavioral needs.
- Connect families to community resources and assist with accessing services, appointments, and supports as needed.
- Deliver training, coaching, and ongoing guidance to classroom staff on child development, behavior support, and inclusive practices.
- Maintain accurate documentation, records, monitoring systems, and compliance requirements in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and agency policies.
- Monitor the delivery of services and ensure timelines, reporting requirements, and program regulations are met.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits Package
- 11 paid holidays
- 1 day of vacation accrued per month worked
- 1 day of healthcare/personal accrued per month (12 days per year)
- Healthcare coverage is provided through the State of Tennessee, with UETHDA covering 100% of the monthly premium for employee-only plans (valued at approximately $600 per month or $7,200 annually). Additional coverage options are available, with any cost difference paid by the employee.
- Dental, Vision, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability options are available at 100% cost to the employee.
- Retirement Plan: Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Eligible employees contribute 5% of annual wages on a pre-tax basis to the defined TCRS plan. UETHDA contributes an amortized amount as determined by TCRS. Employees become fully vested after five years of eligible service.
- Additional 401(K) and 457 Savings Plan also available without employer match
- Group Term Life Insurance (coverage equal to 1.5 times annual wages) and Voluntary Life Insurance are offered, with Group Term Life fully paid by UETHDA.
Qualifications
Work Environment/Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Sitting, standing, bending, stooping and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds are requirements for this position.
Minimum Requirements
- Associate’s degree in Child Psychology, Special Education, or a related field preferred; associate degree with relevant experience considered.
- At least one year of related experience.
- Knowledge of behavioral interventions, special education services, and community resources preferred.
- Strong communication, organization, and computer skills; ChildPlus experience a plus.
- Experience working with diverse children and families.
- Valid Tennessee driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance required.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time non-exempt position and is paid hourly. Typically, this position will be 37.5 hours per week, working Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with a summer lay off of approximately 6 to 8 weeks (mid-May to early-July). Employees are eligible to apply for unemployment during this temporary seasonal lay-off period.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
UETHDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring passionate, diverse professionals who want to make a difference.
Salary Based 100% on Education/Degree
$19.24 Associate's Degree (mental health or related field)
$16.61 No degree with a credential