Senior Behavioral Scientist

All young people have the right to a high-quality and appropriate education. For some students, this means they need additional support. Within our partnership, school boards in the Zaan region work together to provide the best possible educational environment for all students in the region.

All secondary (special) education schools operated by school boards active in the Zaan region are affiliated with SVZ. In addition, we collaborate with primary schools in the Zaan region and the Primary Education Partnership. We also work together with the municipalities of Zaanstad, Wormerland, and Oostzaan, as well as with various youth services organizations. We do this based on our core values: trust, optimism, and courage.

Our goal is for our students to:

• attend a regular secondary school in the area 
• receive the support they need to pursue an education at an appropriate level and 
• be on track to earn a degree and/or secure a stable position in society.

Sharing knowledge and expertise

The SVZ Special Education and Teaching Center (OPDC) provides support and instruction for students who have difficulties with learning and/or social-emotional functioning. The goal is to help students return to mainstream secondary education as quickly as possible. To this end, the OPCD offers various regional services: the Time Out Placement, Vocational Preparation Guidance in the Zaanstreek region, Customized Programs, and the Knowledge and Expertise Center for Appropriate and Inclusive Education (KEC). The KEC is a team of behavioral scientists who support schools in the region with their knowledge and expertise.

Job Requirements

What will you be doing?

Behavioral scientists at the KEC contribute to “quality education for every young person” at schools affiliated with SVZ by serving in both advisory and operational roles. Every colleague—including you—works with several schools and is part of the school’s support team.

• As a senior behavioral scientist, you will serve as an expert responsible for handling complex cases in schools and within the KEC; you will act as a “critical friend” to your fellow behavioral scientists, your colleagues in the district-level support services, and the teachers and administrators involved in the schools by offering them advice, coaching, and guidance—whether solicited or unsolicited—based on your subject-matter expertise.
• As the team coordinator, you are responsible for the quality of service, professionalism, and collaboration within the KEC.
• You are a member of the SVZ management team and make a substantive contribution to the development, implementation, and evaluation of SVZ’s general and educational policies, as well as those of the KEC.

What do you need?

• You have completed a master’s degree in Psychology, Special Education, or Educational Sciences, including a basic certification in (psycho)diagnostics.
• Postgraduate training as a behavioral scientist, such as a school psychologist, is preferred.
• Knowledge of multiple intelligences is a plus.
• You have experience as a behavioral scientist in the fields of education and/or healthcare. Work experience in educational psychology is a plus.
• You connect easily with others and have experience building strong partnerships. You’re approachable to anyone with questions in your field, and you’re not afraid to ask critical questions yourself.
• You are accustomed to coaching your colleagues, motivating them, and providing guidance on specific tasks when necessary.
• You have strong analytical skills and are able to develop policies. You will implement the new policies and conduct some of the training sessions yourself.
• You’re bold, take the initiative, and are a true leader committed to driving improvement.

Terms of Employment

What do we offer you?

• A versatile role in a challenging and informal work environment that offers plenty of opportunities for professional growth.
• You will work closely with the behavioral scientists on the KEC team, with colleagues from other district-wide services, and, of course, with colleagues at the affiliated schools.
• The position is currently classified in pay grade 12 of the CAO VO (maximum €6,665 for a full-time position). The other terms of employment also comply with the CAO VO. For example, you will receive an end-of-year bonus of 8.33% and an annual individual choice budget of 90 hours (for a 1.0 FTE position), to be spent in time and/or money.
• Your hours and workdays are negotiable. You’ll start with a one-year contract, which we’ll convert to a permanent position if the collaboration goes well.

Application Process

Want to know more?

Would you like to learn more about this exciting position? If so, please contact Lydie van de Laar, Executive Director of SVZ, between January 8 and 14. You can reach Lydie at 06-21155811.

Interested?

If you decide to apply, please email your cover letter and resume to Renate Haartman at r.haartman@swvvozaanstreek.nl by January 15, 2024. As soon as we identify a suitable candidate, we will invite you for an interview. Confirmations of receipt will be sent starting January 8.

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