Behavior Specialist - Adult Program

Anderson Center for Autism; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); Hybrid; USD 73,153,000 - 80,309,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

403(b) retirement plan

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Wellness program

Tuition discounts

Scholarship program

Staff appreciation events

Job summary

Anderson Center for Autism in Poughkeepsie, NY is seeking a Behavior Specialist for the Adult Program to implement evidence-based behavioral strategies, conduct assessments, and coach direct support staff. You will analyze data, develop behavior support plans, participate in LifePlan and crisis prevention, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to promote independence and quality of life.

Requirements include a Master’s degree in ABA, Psychology, or related field, valid driver's license,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in ABA, psychology, or a related field.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel between residential sites.
• Qualifications in health, safety and crisis intervention procedures (First Aid, CPR, SCIP-R, medication administration).
• Complete agency training and adhere to organizational policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on clinical expertise to apply evidence-based behavioral strategies.
• Develop behavior support frameworks for consistent, predictable experiences.
• Coach colleagues to ensure unified goals and effective teamwork.
• Assist with annual and ongoing behavioral and skills assessments using evidence-based methods.
• Document training efforts and maintain data-collection systems for program guidance.

Skills

Data analysis

Clinical expertise

Staff training

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master's degree in ABA/psychology related field

Tools

Job description

Behavioral Services - Poughkeespie, NY - Full Time

Are you passionate about using your skills to help optimize the quality of life for adults with autism? Do you want to do so in an organization who is likewise invested in YOUR ability to grow and thrive as well? As a Behavior Specialist at Anderson Center for Autism, you can pave the way to better outcomes for adults with autism and developmental disabilities in our residential and day program settings - all while enjoying a culture that rewards team members with clear pathways to advancement. Whether assisting with behavioral and skill‑based assessments, supporting the development and implementation of behavior support plans, collecting and analyzing data, and/or providing important training and guidance to direct support staff, you will ultimately help promote skill development and cultivate the confidence needed for so many to experience greater independence and overall well-being. And, by choosing an agency that champions its team members, you’ll have the chance to grow professionally and personally, every step of the way.

What You Will Do as Behavior Specialist / Adult Program:

• You will be a hands‑on, go‑to clinical expert who helps ensure that individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities can benefit from the evidence‑based behavioral strategies that will lead to skill acquisition and a better quality of life.
• You will help develop frameworks for behavior support that will lead to consistent, predictable experiences for the adults we serve - and a chance for everyone on your team to feel more self‑assured in their own roles.
• You will help solve problems that arise, and you will coach your colleagues as needed, to ensure that everyone can confidently and effectively work toward achieving the same goals.
• You will assist with annual and ongoing behavioral and skills assessments using evidence‑based methods to gather reliable data.
• You will get to participate in the development of behavior support and skills‑based plans by contributing data, observations, and feedback from program settings.
• You will have the opportunity to support the implementation of plans through modeling, observation, and the sharing of feedback to direct support staff; you will also document your training efforts as required.
• You will maintain accurate data‑collection systems, using chart or graph data - and communicate the results with team members in ways that will help guide any needed program adjustments.
• You will provide hands‑on, program‑level behavioral support by observing environments, identifying needs, and communicating recommendations to supervisors and interdisciplinary team members.
• You will participate in the treatment team, LifePlan, BTR, and other relevant meetings, offering meaningful input and guidance aligned with behavior support goals.
• You will assist in crisis prevention and intervention using proactive, least‑restrictive strategies, and you will be available to support crisis response if and when needed.
• You will maintain strong communication with residential and day program staff, families, and department peers to ensure that everyone has a shared understanding of the supports which can yield the best results.
• You will complete required documentation, reports, and summaries in accordance with agency standards and timelines.
• You will continue to learn, participating in agency training initiatives and stay current with best practices related to autism and behavior support.

What You Can Bring to the Team:

• Alignment with our mission and values.
• Dedication to sharing your clinical expertise in ways that translate into strategies that everyone can easily understand and apply.
• A commitment to using data to drive decisions and to help ensure that everyone on the team knows how best to move forward in a given situation.
• Empathy, integrity, objectivity, curiosity, strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, and an ability to successfully train and inspire others.
• Experience working with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, preferably in a residential or community‑based setting.
• A solid ability to analyze data, write clear reports, and implement evidence‑based interventions.

In addition, we expect that you:

• Have obtained a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, or a related field.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and ability to travel between residential sites as needed.
• Obtain and subsequently maintain qualifications in all health, safety and crisis intervention procedures of the agency, such as First Aid, CPR, SCIP‑R and medication administration certification.
• Complete agency training.
• Fulfill all mandated reporting requirements, ensure compliance with agency policies, and adhere to organizational protocols.

Anderson’s QUALITY OF LIFE Expectation:

To actively support Anderson’s mission by promoting and enhancing the quality of life (QofL) of the individuals we serve through thoughtful, comprehensive, and person‑centered practices.

A Benefits Package Designed to Optimize YOUR Quality of Life Too:

• Up to 6 weeks of paid time off (starting in your first year!)
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match and annual contribution
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Wellness program
• Ongoing professional developmentDiscounted tuition at select colleges/universities
• Scholarship program for those seeking educational experiences aligned with the role (*restrictions apply)
• Invitations to staff appreciation events and experiences

Pay Range: $25.52 - $28.02 Hourly/ commensurate with experience

And much, much more! To get a better understanding of the benefits that will be available to you, visit andersoncenterforautism.org/benefit.

Life as Part of our Anderson Center for Autism Team

Here you will enjoy a supportive, friendly work environment that values your ideas and insights, provides rewarding mentorship experiences and opens doors to new professional opportunities that can transform your journey. And by working at Anderson, you will be part of a movement so much bigger than all of us. Founded over 100 years ago (in 1924), our award‑winning, evidence‑based educational, vocational, residential, clinical, and consulting/training programs have successfully optimized the quality of life for individuals with autism for decades now. In addition, we work every day to cultivate a broader culture of acceptance in society, further adding to the legacy of compassion that we have come to be known throughout the country and around the world. In addition to a rewarding career experience, as part of our team you’ll also enjoy competitive pay, a generous retirement plan (including employer match and annual contribution), abundant vacation time, robust benefits, ongoing opportunities for learning and advancement, wellness programs, staff appreciation events, and a chance to work alongside wonderful professionals in a positive environment.

This position description in no way states or implies that the responsibilities listed are the only duties to be performed by the person filling this position. The person in the position may be required to perform other duties as necessitated by the situation or requested by his/her supervisor.

Our organization is committed to providing a diverse workforce by ensuring that discrimination barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes a person in one of these protected groups. Our organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

EOE