Behavior Specialist (Full-Time)

YMCA; Southbridge, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 82,810,000 - 106,527,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Vision Insurance

403B Retirement Savings Plan

Family access to facilities

Job summary

The YMCA is seeking a Behavior Specialist in Southbridge, MA to promote positive social-emotional development and equitable access to behavioral health supports. You will provide classroom consultation, staff coaching, and family partnerships to foster inclusive, trauma-informed learning environments.

Responsibilities include observing classrooms, developing behavior plans, guiding educators in positive behavior supports, and coordinating with agencies to support children and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field (Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Early Childhood Special Education, ABA).
• Minimum of two years working with young children and families (birth–5).
• Knowledge of child development, social-emotional development, trauma-informed care, and positive behavior supports.
• Experience collaborating with educators, families, and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Conducts classroom observations to identify children's needs.
• Develops individualized behavior support strategies with educators.
• Supports emotional regulation, social skills, and positive peer interactions.
• Assists with crisis prevention, de-escalation, and reintegration after incidents.
• Monitors progress and adjusts interventions based on data.
• Collaborates with families and community partners to coordinate supports.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Behavioral health knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Bachelor's degree in Psychology

Early Childhood Education

Applied Behavior Analysis

Human Services

Job description

Description

Under the supervision of the Early Learning Executive Director, the Behavior Specialist partners with children, families, educators, administrative and case management staff, the Family Engagement Specialist, and community agencies to promote positive social-emotional development and ensure equitable access to behavioral health supports. Through classroom consultation, staff coaching, family partnerships, behavioral assessments, and collaboration with community partners, the Behavior Specialist helps create supportive learning environments that foster resilience, inclusion, and school readiness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Child Social-Emotional Development & Behavioral Support

• Conducts classroom observations to identify children's social-emotional, behavioral, developmental, and environmental needs.
• Develops individualized behavior support strategies and collaborates with classroom educators to implement evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions.
• Supports children's emotional regulation, social skills, problem-solving, and positive peer relationships using trauma-informed and strengths-based practices.
• Assists with crisis prevention, de-escalation, and reintegration following significant behavioral incidents.
• Monitors children's progress and recommends adjustments to intervention strategies based on ongoing observations and data.
• Help create safe, inclusive, and emotionally supportive learning environments where every child feels welcomed, respected, and supported.

Staff Coaching & Professional Development

• Provides classroom coaching to educators on positive behavior supports, classroom management, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices.
• Models developmentally appropriate behavior guidance techniques and positive educator-child interactions.
• Assists classroom teams in developing consistent approaches to supporting children with challenging behaviors.
• Supports new staff in understanding the program's philosophy and expectations regarding positive behavior support and child guidance.

Collaboration & Community Coordination

• Develops positive, trusting relationships with families using a strengths-based, culturally responsive approach.
• Collaborates closely with the Early Learning Executive Director, Program Supervisors, administrative and case management staff, the Family Engagement Specialist, and classroom educators to ensure coordinated supports for children and families.
• Partners with the Family Engagement Specialist and administrative/case management staff to identify family needs, coordinate referrals, and connect families with behavioral health services and community resources.
• Collaborates with EEC, DCF, EOHLC, DTA, Early Intervention, local public-school districts, pediatric providers, behavioral health providers, and other community organizations to support children and families.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings, IFSP and IEP meetings, transition planning, and other collaborative planning meetings as appropriate.

Program Leadership & Compliance

• Assists leadership in maintaining compliance with EEC regulations and contractual requirements related to behavioral health and family support services.
• Maintains confidential documentation in accordance with YMCA policies, EEC regulations, and applicable confidentiality requirements.
• Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives by reviewing behavioral trends and recommending program improvements that strengthen children's social-emotional development.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices in early childhood mental health, trauma-informed care, inclusion, and positive behavior support.
• 20. Participates in YMCA fundraising and special events.
• 21. Follows YMCA policies and procedures, responds appropriately during emergency situations, and performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in one of the following fields:
• Social Work
• Psychology
• Child Psychology
• Counseling
• Mental Health Counseling
• Human Services
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Child Development or a closely related behavioral health or human services field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with young children (birth through age five) and their families.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child development, social-emotional development, trauma-informed care, positive behavior supports, and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Experience collaborating with educators, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and establish positive relationships with children, families, staff, and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an EEC-licensed early education and care program.
• Experience collaborating with EEC, DCF, DTA, EOHLC, Early Intervention, public school districts, pediatric providers, behavioral health providers, and other community agencies.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred

Schedule: 40hrs per week, Monday-Friday

Job-Type: Full-Time (Non-Exempt)

Pay: $34.00/hr, plus benefits to include generous PTO, Access to facilities for immediate family, Medical, Dental, Disability, Life, Vision, & Pet Insurance, and ability to participate 403B Retirement Savings Plan. Also, once fully vested the YMCA will pay into an account for you!

The Y:

We’re for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are a safe place for children, teens and vulnerable populations, and all staff, regardless of their role within the organization, are required to ensure the trust that families place in us is earned each and every day. Child protection is every employee’s job, and employees may not begin work until they are trained. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to strengthen our community, beginning with you.