Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) Supervisor

Rise Life Services; Town of Riverhead (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

RISE Life Services in New York seeks an experienced Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) Supervisor to oversee BIS staff in residential programs and ensure high-quality behavioral and clinical support for individuals with I/DD and mental health needs.

You will supervise daily operations, guide staff development, coordinate trainings, monitor plans and data, and ensure compliance with OPWDD, OMH, and agency standards across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, ABA, school psychology, or related clinical field.
• BCBA certification with a Master’s in behavior analysis or related field, OR
• Current NYS license in LMHC/LMSW/LCSW or equivalent OPWDD/OMH credential.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day supervision of BIS staff, including coaching and performance evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with OPWDD, OMH, and agency standards.
• Manage scheduling of behavior-related trainings for onboarding.
• Supervise BIS caseload in residential programs.
• Review behavior plans and ensure consent and rights protections.
• Coordinate with external agencies (OPWDD, OMH, NYSTART).
• Conduct FBAs and develop person-centered plans.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and audits.
• Oversee data collection and restrict/interventions review.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Training staff

Data-driven

Education

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, ABA, school psychology or related clinical field

BCBA certification with a Master’s in behavior analysis or related field

NYS license in LMHC/LMSW/LCSW or OPWDD/OMH credential

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Electronic health records

Data collection systems

Job description

RISE Life Services (an Aid to the Developmentally Disabled Company) provides a residential and supported living environment dedicated to empowering people with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges to RISE to their full potential.Our core values of quality, dignity, and respect serve as our guiding principles in everything we do.

Among our finest assets is our dedicated workforce: a diverse, knowledge-based team of professionals committed to offering the highest quality of services that are compassionately delivered and responsive to the needs of the individuals we serve and their families.

Overview:

The Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) Supervisor provides oversight and direction to BIS staff, ensuring high-quality behavioral and clinical support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and/or mental health needs (OMH). This position is responsible for supervising day-to-day operations of the BIS team, guiding staff development, and ensuring compliance with OPWDD, OMH, and agency standards.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day supervision of assigned BIS staff, including regular communication, supervision, discipline, coaching, performance evaluations, and oversight of job expectations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory expectations as related to plans, rights, data collection, restrictions, and plan certification.
• Oversee and manage the human rights process and review the behavioral components of submissions for compliance with regulatory expectations.
• Manage, adjust, and administer scheduling of behavior-related trainings as part of the new hire onboarding process.
• Supervise and coordinate the behavioral caseload and on-call BIS expectations for residential programs.
• Directly supervise a behavioral caseload as necessitated by the needs of programs.
• Audit and review the status and compliance of plans and data entered on an at least quarterly and as needed basis.
• Ensure staff effectively assess, implement, and monitor behavior support plans that address habilitative, behavioral, and psychiatric needs of individuals supported across both OPWDD and OMH programs.
• Coordinate and communicate with external agencies and providers such as OPWDD, OMH, care management organizations, NYSTART, providers, and others as necessary.
• Direct and assist BIS staff in conducting functional behavior assessments (FBAs), developing interventions, and maintaining person-centered support plans.
• Review, approve, and sign off on behavior support plans that include restrictive or intrusive interventions or limitations on a person’s rights, ensuring submission to the Behavior Plan/Human Rights Committee and compliance with OPWDD regulations.
• Ensure health care reviews, behavioral summaries, and documentation are completed and obtain informed consent prior to implementation of any restrictive or intrusive interventions, per OPWDD standards.
• Participate in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings either directly or as needed/requested by BIS staff to support and guide behavioral support needs.
• Coordinate and communicate with Residential and support departments to ensure the satisfaction of operational needs.
• Participate in internal and external audits and compliance reviews, including audit preparation, conferences, and corrective action drafting and execution.
• Monitor the use of restrictive interventions, ensuring required data collection, semiannual reviews, and the modification or fading of restrictions as appropriate.
• Review and approve BIS staff schedules, timekeeping, promotions, transfers, and other employment-related adjustments in the workday.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of payroll and attendance records, addressing any concerns with staff or escalating to leadership as needed.
• Regularly visit programs to observe staff, provide feedback, facilitate training, and monitor the implementation of behavior support plans.
• Serve as the primary resource for behavioral and psychiatric needs within the assigned region, collaborating with program staff and leadership to resolve challenges.
• Ensure the performance, timely completion, and documentation of emotional support, diminution, mediation as required for allegations, investigations, and operational needs.
• Plan and facilitate agency clinical and leadership meetings, providing ongoing training, mentorship, and guidance to BIS and direct care staff.
• Participate in agency-wide initiatives, committees, and trainings to support behavioral and clinical program development, including but not limited too: Incident Review Committee, Human Rights Committee, Informed Consent Committee, High Risk Committee, etc.
• Remain informed of best practices, new interventions, and professional standards in behavior intervention, mental health, and developmental disabilities through continuing education.
• Participate in external trainings and conferences as needed/requested and remain informed on regulatory and policy updates as issued by state agencies and Rise Life Services.
• Provide supervision and mentorship to student interns or staff pursuing professional development, as authorized.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, applied behavior analysis, school psychology, or related clinical field; AND
• BCBA certification with a Master’s in behavior analysis or a closely related field; OR
• Current NYS license in Mental Health Counseling (LMHC), Social Work (LMSW/LCSW), or other clinical credential recognized by OPWDD and/or OMH.
• At least three (3) years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and/or mental health needs, including behavior support planning and staff training.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain certification in SCIP-R (Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention – Revised) within 3 months of hire, as well as CPR/First Aid.
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based behavioral and mental health interventions, functional assessments, and person-centered planning.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and coaching skills with the ability to manage staff across multiple locations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, electronic health records, and data collection systems.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, and to travel across assigned programs as needed.