Behavior Intervention Specialist (I / II)

Starting Rate: $25 / hour Type: Per Diem / As Needed

Make a meaningful impact every day as a Behavior Intervention Specialist, where you'll help adults with developmental disabilities achieve greater independence, success, and quality of life through compassionate, evidence-based behavioral support. In this role, you'll partner with interdisciplinary teams, families, and DSPs to develop Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Support Plans, provide coaching and training, analyze progress, and guide positive outcomes across residential, day, and employment settings. Successful candidates are passionate about person-centered care, enjoy mentoring others, and want to be part of a collaborative agency that values professional growth, clinical excellence, and making a lasting difference.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

LEADERSHIP AND SUPERVISION OF OTHERS (if applicable - Level II)

• Participates in the selection process of new hires
• Disciplines, trains, and assigns subordinates
• Establishes and appraises performance levels of subordinates
• Monitors compliance with agency policies and procedures pertaining to, but not limited to: incident reporting, quality assurance regulations, fire safety, and employee conduct
• Constantly maintains high professional standards at work with regard to personal behavior and interactions with other staff, individuals, and outside agencies
• Organizes, conducts and participates in staff meetings, in-service events, etc.
• Provides for staff development and training, including new hire orientation
• Participates in professional development and community and inter-agency committees to remain current on changing trends and program requirements
• Provides consultation, supervision, and instruction to staff through individual and group conferences in order to assist staff in development of service skills
• Participates in the development of Agency policies and procedures in conjunction with the Director of Residential & Day Services (or other agency leadership as applicable)
• Attend required team meetings as scheduled
• Reviews and approves subordinate timecards and time off requests

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Complete Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) for the purpose of ensuring accurate student placement, developing more effective ISP objectives, and complying with mandated requirements.
• Develop Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) to the extent warranted, as result of the FBA
• Create recommendations for comprehensive services
• Provide crisis intervention for individuals as needed, if available
• Develop reliable methods to track individual progress
• Interpret behavior data
• Participate in maintaining a Behavior Support Plan for individuals with challenging behaviors
• Inform staff of appropriate individual interventions and guide them in proper use
• Monitor and ensure that staff is capable of implementing and established BSP
• Provide input and guidance on the assignments of staff based on their strengths
• Assist care teams with creation and implementation of situational management plans, as needed
• Participate in Life Plan meetings as needed and/or assigned for the purpose of assisting in establishing effective individual achievement goals and conveying/receiving information
• Assist in developing procedures and training materials for direct support staff who support individuals with challenging behaviors for the purpose of enhancing individual programs and ensuring that operations are in compliance with established guidelines
• Act as liaison between the family, individual, and direct support staff for the purpose of supporting individual behavioral goals.
• Assist in training and supporting direct support staff (e.g. new staff modeling, staff development training, on-site and situational training)
• Conduct workshops, training, in-service presentations in behavior management techniques and other topics for the purpose of assisting staff in more successfully developing behavior management skills
• Utilize Ukeru Behavior Management System and SCIP-R, including blocking techniques and protective releases, as needed
• Participate in the training and monitoring of all direct service staff, utilizing the Ukeru and SCIP-R curriculums
• Provide guidance to all assigned direct support staff for the implementation of Ukeru and SCIP-R procedures as they apply to the program and to the implementation of individual Behavior Support Plans
• Participate in committee of their choosing (including but not limited to: Safety Committee, Standing Incident Review Committee, etc.)
• Provide training to all newly hired staff members in monthly orientation regarding behavior support strategies
• Provide additional trainings in monthly orientation, as needed, in the absence of Behavior Department Head
• Facilitate individual behavior-related trainings to direct support staff as needed during scheduled in-services
• Establish connections with transportation departments, to assist with any behavior concerns and to offer specific or general behavior-related trainings on a scheduled or as-needed basis
• Maintain all individual records related to behavior in CMS, Therap, etc. including electronic documentation of all behavior tracking data.
• If a BSP is not appropriate, provide proactive strategies to the individual's team
• Provide ongoing modeling and demonstration of BSP to an individual's team
• Consistently comply with all agency policies and procedures
• Perform other duties as requested by the Behavior Department Head
• Maintain Ukeru Instructor certification
• Maintain SCIP-R certification

SUCCESS FACTORS

The Behavior Intervention Specialist is expected to consistently demonstrate the following core competencies in the delivery and oversight of behavioral services:

Accountability & Dependability: Demonstrates ownership of assigned caseloads, assessments, behavior plans, supervision, and documentation. Ensures FBAs, BSPs, data reviews, training, and compliance requirements are completed accurately and within required timelines. Follows through on commitments to staff, individuals, and families.

Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally with staff, families and agency leadership. Effectively explains behavior plans, intervention strategies, and data findings. Ensures behavior-related information is shared accurately and in a timely manner to support consistent implementation.

Planning & Organizing: Organizes caseload responsibilities, documentation, supervision, and training schedules to ensure timely completion of assessments, plans, progress monitoring, and staff support. Manages multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and compliance.

Initiative: Proactively identifies behavioral needs, training gaps, and program challenges. Takes appropriate action to strengthen interventions, improve staff capacity, and enhance outcomes without waiting for direction.

Decision Making & Judgment: Applies sound clinical judgment when developing FBAs and BSPs, supervising staff, responding to incidents, and providing crisis intervention. Makes decisions that prioritize safety, ethical practice, regulatory compliance, and individual well-being.

Leadership: Provides clinical leadership to assigned Behavior Technician and instructional staff, if applicable. Models professional behavior, reinforces agency standards, and supports staff development through coaching, feedback, and training.

Safety Focus: Maintains a consistent focus on individual and staff safety. Ensures behavior interventions, crisis responses, and Ukeru and SCIP-R strategies are implemented appropriately and in compliance with agency policy and regulatory requirements. Monitors risk and promotes preventive practices.

Team Leadership: Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, and families. Supports coordinated decision-making, facilitates meetings, and fosters shared responsibility for positive behavioral outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required for Level 1

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Behavior Analysis or related field and documented training in assessment techniques and behavior support plan development, OR:
• National Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA), OR:
• NYS License in Mental Health Counseling

AND , must have at least three (3) years experience either

• Working directly with individual with developmental disabilities, including development, implementation, and monitoring or behavior support plans, AND/OR:
• Providing supervision and training to others in the implementation of behavior support plans, OR:
• Have been employed as a Level 2 BIS, at the masters degree level

Required for Level II

• National Board Certification in Behavior Analysis (BCBA), OR:
• Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Behavior Analysis or related field and have or obtain OPWDD-approved specialized training or experience in functional assessment techniques and behavior support plan development, OR:
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Behavior Analysis or related field, and have provided behavioral services for an agency in the OPWDD system as of, and continuously, sine December 31, 2012

AND

• Is actively working toward a Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Special Education, Behavior Analysis or related field, OR:
• Completes at least one graduate-level course in an applied area Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Special Education, Behavior Analysis or related field each year

High level of knowledge of OPWDD regulations

First Aid Certification

CPR Certification

Ukeru Instructor Certification

SCIP-RW Certification