Date: 11/10/2025
Program: Douglas Cherokee Head Start
Job Title: Positive Behavior Support Advocate
Location: Union County
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-time; 37.5 hours per week; School Year
Salary Grade: $15.22 per hour
Reports to: Area Coordinator, Disabilities/Mental Health Manager, Head Start Director
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Disabilities/Mental Health Manager, the Positive Behavior Support Advocate (PBSA) will perform social/health related services necessary for compliance with Head Start Performance Standards. The PBSA will have a number of core classrooms but may travel to other classrooms based on program needs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Provide positive behavioral strategies for children and families, while supporting staff.
- Coordinate with the disabilities/mental health manager, mental health consultant, classroom and family services staff to implement behavioral management systems.
- Will introduce and model research and evidence-based procedures.
- Will develop positive, nurturing relationships with children and families.
- Provide positive emotional support to identify and implement strategies to diminish challenges in the classroom.
- Provides continuous modeling and guidance to the educational teaching team on positive behavior intervention strategies and social skill building with children.
- Assists all children in their emotional, cognitive, and social development.
- Participates in team meetings to develop/modify strategies to support staff, children, and families.
- Maintain accurate records/files and documents interactions and services.
- Will assist in the classroom as needed to ensure adult/child ratios are maintained at all times.
- Will assist in all classroom duties as needed (i.e. assist with children, diapering, cleaning, etc.).
- Must be flexible and open to change.
- Professionalism in regard to confidentiality is essential.
- Encourage parents, families, and community members to support our children and the program through gifts of time, goods, and/or monetary donations to ensure program local match (in-kind) as required to continue receiving federal funding.
WORK SITE: Union County
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None
OTHER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Observe and participate in the classroom to support teaching staff and other staff.
- Monitor, record, and document observations of child behavior.
- Advocate for Head Start children, families, and staff.
- Will work in different classrooms as scheduled and must be flexible based on program needs.
- Works with children who exhibit angry, aggressive, withdrawn or other correctable behaviors while at school.
- May participate in home visits as needed.
- Travel in the designated area required and in the eight-county service area on occasion.
- Overnight and/or extended travel in and out of state, to attend conferences/workshops is possible.
- Does not discriminate in the provision of services and makes sure that no person is excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or benefit because of race, color, religion, gender (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, citizenship, ethnicity, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, or veteran status unless those exclusions are based upon bona fide qualifications mandated by program service eligibility criteria.
ROLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Education Requirements:
- Prefer degree in Social Work/Human Services, SSCBT, or similar credentials.
- Minimum of High school diploma or GED
- Must obtain within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field as required of the Head Start Performance Act.
Experience Requirements:
- Knowledge of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and the impact on children/families.
- Knowledge of positive behavioral support systems, behavior management, and early intervention.
- Knowledge of child development and early childhood education.
- Ability to communicate openly with community resources, professionals, staff, parents, and children.
- Evidence of emotional stability and maturity and must be flexible and open to change.
- Basic computer knowledge required.
- A natural concern, empathy, and enjoyment of Head Start children and their families.
- Able to remain calm and supportive when faced with challenging behavior.
Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Must obtain a pre-employment physical and screen for communicable diseases.
- Must obtain First Aid and CPR and keep updated.
- Must agree to pre-employment background check
- Must have valid Tennessee driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel between centers.
- Must show proof (as necessary) of auto liability insurance.
- Demonstrate a willingness to continue professional development.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Must have the ability to lift children and to physically assist at all times.
- Will frequently lift or move weight as in lifting, carrying, and holding children (20-60#).
- Required to stand up to 95% of the workday.
- Must be able to interact with children on the playground or in the classroom. Ex: run, jump, dance, physical exercise.
- Must be able to stoop and bend to interact with children on their level.
- Able to physically and mentally react immediately to unexpected circumstances.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Application Deadline: Applications accepted until position is filled.
To Apply: Send application and/or resume to: Human Resources Manager DCEA Head Start/Early Head Start, 127 Cedar Street, Morristown, TN 37814. Email applications to jobs@dceaheadstart.org.