Academy Behavior Instructional Coach

Description

BHA Academy | Academy Division
Reports to: Lead Clinician
Employment Type: Exempt | Full-Time

Position Overview

At BHA Academy, our Behavior Instructional Coaches are key leaders in advancing our mission: empowering individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral needs to achieve academic, social, and emotional success.

Grounded in our core values—Compassion with Purpose, Structure Builds Safety, Professionalism in Every Moment, Positivity Drives Progress, Education is Empowerment, Consistency Creates Change, Reunification is Our Mission, and Advocacy Through Action—this role blends clinical expertise, instructional leadership, and team coaching.

Behavior Instructional Coaches collaborate across interdisciplinary teams to ensure behavioral supports, instructional strategies, and data-driven interventions align with each individual’s IEP and behavioral needs. This role leads by example—coaching staff, strengthening implementation fidelity, and driving meaningful outcomes.

This is a safety-sensitive position requiring continuous alertness, direct supervision of individuals, crisis response, and the ability to perform essential duties with or without accommodation.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or related field (Master’s preferred) 
• Active Missouri Special Education certification (autism/behavior endorsement preferred) 
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with children with autism, developmental delays, or behavioral challenges 
• Experience in multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary team settings 

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of IEP processes, IDEA, and behavior intervention planning 
• Data-driven decision-making and progress monitoring 
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) 
• Strong organizational and time management skills 
• Emotional resilience and professionalism in high-pressure environments 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data systems 
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and ethical practice 

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Compassion with Purpose

• Develop trauma-informed, individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) 
• Model empathy, calmness, and high expectations during all interactions 

Structure Builds Safety

• Implement consistent systems and routines that support regulation and learning 
• Conduct behavior assessments and develop proactive strategies 

Professionalism in Every Moment

• Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards 
• Provide staff coaching, feedback, and support 
• Participate in IEP meetings and family collaboration 

Positivity Drives Progress

• Foster a culture of growth, resilience, and solution-focused thinking 
• Celebrate progress using data and team reflection 

Education is Empowerment

• Train staff in evidence-based instructional and behavioral strategies 
• Use data to guide instruction and measure IEP progress 

Consistency Creates Change

• Ensure fidelity of behavior interventions through observation and feedback 
• Lead crisis response and de-escalation efforts 

Reunification is Our Mission

• Support transition to less restrictive environments 
• Collaborate with schools, families, and external partners 

Advocacy Through Action

• Advocate for individual rights, dignity, and inclusion 
• Provide family training and support 

Additional Duties

• Conduct staff training and evaluations 
• Participate in on-call crisis response rotations 
• Complete required documentation, billing, and reporting 

Physical & Work Environment

This role requires:

• Continuous supervision and engagement in classroom and community settings 
• Frequent physical activity (lifting up to 50 lbs regularly, 100 lbs occasionally) 
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation (PCMA-trained) 
• Exposure to behavioral challenges and active environments 
• Assistance with daily living tasks (toileting, feeding, hygiene) 

Why Join BHA Academy?

You’ll be part of a mission-driven team committed to transforming lives through structure, compassion, and evidence-based practices. Here, your leadership directly impacts individuals, families, and communities—every single day.

Equal Opportunity Employer

BHA Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination of any kind in accordance with applicable laws.