Job Summary

Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, the Behavior Intervention Specialist targets improvement of socially-significant client behaviors across a variety of domains through the delivery of Applied Behavior Analysis. The Behavior Intervention Specialist collaborates to improve service delivery and build capacity in caregivers. Staff training and development are critical functions of this role.

Essential Job Functions        

Support functional behavior assessment to assist in the development of behavior plans for individuals receiving services through Hillside.  Assess skill deficits and behavioral challenges to develop interventions, including skill building, in collaboration with teams for youth and young adults.  Achieve positive and successful outcomes and improved quality of life for youth by utilizing experience, education, age-specific knowledge and cultural competence. Conduct skill-based assessments and functional behavior assessments (FBAs) in collaboration with the individuals, their families, staff, and clinical support in compliance with agency standards and program regulations. Partner with treatment team to develop measurement systems and trains others to collect data in order to measure the efficacy of the intervention and instructional strategies.  Summarize data and presents the data to team members to aid in making decisions on new and revisions to existing intervention and instructional strategies.  Act as a liaison with family, youth, staff and clinical support related to development of function-based behavioral programming with a focus on generalization and maintenance.  Teach and train youth, families, and staff as related to instructional strategies and behavior reduction strategies.  This includes some evenings and weekends. Recommend interventions for behavior reduction or skill building to improve quality of life are evidence-based either through research or support from clinical supervision.  Primary contact for the behavior plan and is able to expertly and succinctly communicate at all levels both orally and in writing. Develop, maintain and update all required documentation in a timely manner.  Develop, maintain and utilize a thorough knowledge of the legal and social rights of children, youth and parents to assure that these rights are understood and protected as needed May act as a mentor to direct care staff.  Responsible for the development and delivery of staff training. Ensure Hillside policies, procedures and all applicable governmental laws, regulations and guidelines are followed.  Work flexible shifts, with some evenings and weekends included in order to provide observations, teaching, mentoring, and coaching across programming sites and shifts.  While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

Master’s degree in a clinical or treatment field of psychology, social work, school psychology, applied psychology as it relates to human development and clinical intervention, or a related human services field required  Note: Alternative degrees and experiences are available for this position: https://opwdd.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/06/633.16-adoption-final-reg-text.pdf 

Special Requirements

Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards.  CPR certification or equivalent required to obtain within 60 days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

In addition to demonstrating the Hillside Professional Competencies of Communicates Effectively, Personal Excellence, Cultural Competence, Builds and Leverages Relationships and Optimizes Decision Making, the following occupational competencies must be demonstrated:

Demonstrate the emotional competence and good judgment required to build productive, engaged children, youth, and family relationships while implementing required rules, expectations and routines. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of services provided both by the agency and by external service providers and maintains contacts as needed in order to efficiently access care for youth. Demonstrate well-developed skills as an advocate for children/youth/families in order to achieve the best, least-restrictive possible outcomes; communicates reasonable expectations and facilitates the achievement of results. Develop, maintain and utilize a thorough knowledge of the legal and social rights of children, youth and parents to assure that these rights are understood and protected as needed. Able to maintain learning, including acquiring, understanding and interpreting information in subject areas for position must be demonstrated on the job. Ability to use problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. Maintain the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct towards all.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to work a variable scheduling including evenings and weekends The following physical demands are required: Occasional sitting (up to 4 hours) Occasional standing (up to 1 hour) Occasional walking (up to 2.5 hours) Occasional driving (up to 6 hours) Continuous balancing (up to 8 hours) Occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching forward or down, reaching overhead, running, and twisting (up to 2.5 hours) Weekly lifting up to 50 lbs. (community-based staff may be required to lift an empty wheelchair weighing up to 50 lbs.), 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis Weekly carrying up to 55 lbs. approximately 10-100 ft., 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis Manual dexterity is required, including the frequent ability to grasp in both hands and continuous use of fine manipulation skills in both hands (approximately 1-2.5 hrs.). Occasional exposure to changes in temperature, dust, fumes, gases or chemicals is apparent.  Protective clothing or equipment as required: close toed shoes; protective shields, universal precaution PPE, and gloves for toileting and food preparation. Ability to change positions as needed.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

May be required to physically restrain clients weighing between 50 and 300 lbs. and guide them safely to the floor using certified techniques. In some circumstances, restraints can last up to 15 minutes and may require repetition as necessary. $24.50 Minimum pay rate, $36.75 Maximum pay rate, based on experience.