Behavior Support Specialist-RTF (5756)

Principal Assigned Responsibilities :

- Design, implement, and continuously improve alignment with New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) regulations and agency policies.

- Provide clinical direction and support to ensure high-quality, evidence-informed care.

- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including OMH standards.

- Participate in on-call duties as necessary.

- Support a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture.

- Actively support staff in maintaining a Sanctuary environment that demonstrates the Sanctuary Commitments and is grounded in the philosophy of Trauma Informed Care.

- Perform and interpret the results of functional behavior assessments for youth.

- Develop and implement interventions that target the reduction of challenging behaviors and increase of adaptive behaviors.

- Create and implement individual behavior plans for youth as part of the interdisciplinary team.

- Collect, analyze, and present data on target behaviors as part of treatment planning process to inform data-based decision making.

- Generalize necessary skills for home or other environments in collaboration with families and other stakeholders.

- Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of various behavior management interventions or in-home behavior management systems

- Collaborate in the ongoing development and maintenance of systems to support the practice of applied behavior analysis (e.g., data collection systems).

- Develop, maintain, and update all required documentation for regulatory compliance and in alignment with agency protocols in a timely manner.

- Develop and deliver staff training.

- May act as a mentor to direct care staff.

- Lead projects for various programs designed to elevate the practice of behavior analysis.

- Consult with and provide oversight for implementation of behavior plans.

- Serve as a resource to guide team performance.

- While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

- Other related activities assigned by the Director.

Qualifications

Education & Experience Requirements:

- Master's degree in a human services field or Bachelor's degree in Occupation Therapy with two years' experience in providing services to children with serious emotional disturbance preferred.

- Bachelor's degree in a human services field or certification as an Occupational Therapy Assistant with four years accepted as a substitute for the above requirement.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

- Commitment to the following and Embracing the Seven Commitments of our Sanctuary Model.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Organized and efficient.

- Working knowledge of relevant regulatory and accreditation standards and requirements.

5    Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends consistent with restraint utilization patterns.

- Computer proficiency including word processing, spread sheet and data base management preferred.

- Understanding of basic needs and developmental issues of children in a way that promotes growth and respects individuality.

- Asks age and developmentally appropriate questions and actively listens to children's responses.

- Develops a warm, positive, nurturing relationship with each child.

Follows mandated reporting requirements regarding child abuse and neglect.

- Practices infection control, including appropriate hand washing procedures.

- Uses knowledge of developmental milestones, assists children in participating at their individual level of interest and ability.

- Interacts with children during meal and snack times, promoting appropriate social behavior.

- Applies knowledge of child development to plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities and environments.

- Adapts activities and environments to meet the special needs and situations of individual children.

- Identifies developmentally appropriate behavior and reasonable expectations for children 's behavior.

- Uses observation as a way to "get to know" children —their interests and developmental levels.

- Valid New York State driver's license.