Behavior Specialist

Beacon Specialized Living; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Beacon Specialized Living is seeking a compassionate Behavior Specialist to develop and implement individualized Behavior Support Plans across settings. You will coach care team staff, analyze outcomes, and help individuals achieve greater stability and independence through evidence-based behavioral supports.

You will collaborate with families, clinical professionals, and the interdisciplinary team, maintaining records, conducting assessments, and ensuring procedures are followed with fidelity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field required; Master's preferred.
• 1–2 years of experience with adults with mental illness and/or IDD.
• Experience conducting behavioral assessments and implementing interventions for complex, high-intensity behaviors.
• Demonstrated experience teaching and coaching staff to implement Behavior Support Plans.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, monitor, and revise Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Train, coach, and support staff in BSP implementation; model interventions during challenging behaviors.
• Collect and analyze behavioral data; prepare reports and recommendations.
• Provide crisis intervention and post-crisis debriefing as required.
• Maintain program records and ensure compliance with reporting and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Staff coaching

Data analysis

MS Office

English proficiency

Independence

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

At Beacon Specialized Living, we believe every individual deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, fulfilling life with dignity, respect, and the right support.

Beacon is a successful, national, private-equity-backed behavioral health organization providing residential-based services and supports to children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Severe Mental Illness (SMI), Autism, and high-acuity behaviors.

We are seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable, and collaborative Behavior Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will play a critical part in developing and implementing individualized behavioral supports, coaching care team staff, analyzing outcomes, and helping individuals achieve greater stability, independence, and quality of life.

Position Type & Schedule

• Full-Time

• Monday–Friday
• Typically 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (flexibility permitted with prior approval)
• Occasional evenings, weekends, and on-call responsibilities may be required based on business and individual support needs
• Position requires daily regional travel (average of 30-50 mile radius)

Position Summary

The Behavior Specialist provides specialized behavioral support services across multiple settings and works closely with individuals, families, direct-care staff, clinical professionals, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.

This position is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and revising Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) and related behavioral strategies. The Behavior Specialist also provides hands‑on support during challenging situations, trains and coaches staff, analyzes behavioral data, and helps ensure evidence-based interventions are implemented consistently.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of an interdisciplinary team addressing significant behavioral and/or medical changes in individuals supported.
• Regularly review and revise Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), support guidelines, and restrictive procedure plans in collaboration with the individual, care team, families, and external stakeholders.
• Train, coach, and support staff in the effective implementation of BSPs; model appropriate interventions and provide direct support when challenging behaviors occur.
• Develop and implement multi-site crisis management and behavioral management support services, including on-site staff support and hands‑on crisis intervention when necessary.
• Provide phone and/or in-person support during behavioral emergencies as required.
• Provide post‑crisis support and debriefing to individuals and staff, including incident reviews and consultation.
• Collect, compile, and analyze behavioral data; prepare internal and external reports and make recommendations based on findings.
• Ensure program records are accurately maintained and required reports are completed and submitted on time.
• Enter and maintain information in electronic consumer databases and case‑record systems.
• Support communication with family members, friends, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Participate in inter‑agency and multidisciplinary meetings and assist with the development of individualized outcomes and goals.
• Assist with resident abuse and neglect assessment matters and communicate findings to appropriate home, compliance, clinical, and operations leadership.
• Cooperate with investigations, inspections, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain required certifications and mandatory training.
• Participate in on‑call responsibilities as required.

Education & Qualifications:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 1–2 years of experience working with adults with mental illness and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities required.
• Experience conducting behavioral assessments and implementing interventions for complex, high‑intensity, and/or high‑frequency behaviors required.
• Demonstrated experience teaching and coaching staff to implement Behavior Support Plans.
• Must meet applicable state, federal, and local requirements to work within Beacon programs.
• Must maintain all required training and certifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check required.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent coaching, teaching, and staff‑development skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Proficiency with computer systems and various software applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to create professional employee communication and training materials.
• The ability to work independently with minimal daily supervision.
• Strong multitasking skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• A professional, dependable, and collaborative demeanor.
• The ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• A commitment to person‑centered, compassionate, and evidence‑based behavioral support.