Behavior Specialist-II

Mainstay Life Services; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 69,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Mainstay Life Services is seeking a Master’s level Behavioral Specialist in Pittsburgh, PA to provide behavioral support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You will identify goals, design plans, and use functional assessments to guide interventions in a person-centered approach.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed practices, data-driven planning, and collaboration with families and teams. 37.5 hours weekly with a flexible schedule and ongoing supervision.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Psychology, Special Education, Counseling, Social Work, Education, ABA or Gerontology preferred.
• Minimum 3 years employment experience with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Licensure/certification such as LPC, LBS, BCBA, or LSW preferred; trauma-informed knowledge advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Conducts a Functional Behavioral Assessment and analyzes findings to design behavior support plans.
• Designs data collection methods and evaluates behavioral data.
• Collaborates with individuals, families, guardians and teams to develop plans.
• Maintains comprehensive behavior support plans and progress documentation.
• Provides training and supports for implementation of behavior plans.
• Attends related appointments and participates in ongoing professional development.

Skills

Functional Behavioral Assessment

Data collection

Team collaboration

Trauma-informed care

Documentation

Behavior support plans

Crisis intervention planning

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree or higher in Psychology, Special Education, Counseling, Social Work, Education, Applied Behavior Analysis or Gerontology

Tools

LPC

LBS

BCBA

LSW

Driver’s license

Job description

Job Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $33.27 - $37.36 Hourly

Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

The Master’s Level Behavioral Specialistprovides behavioral support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our existing programs. The Master’s Level Behavioral Specialist will effectively identify behavioral goals and intervention techniques using functional behavior assessment tools and recommend behavioral change methods. Experience designing individualized support plans and behavior interventions is required. Direct experience writing individual support plans to address medical, health, safety, psychiatric, behavioral, social and vocational outcomes strongly preferred. The Master’s Level Behavioral Specialist must have a positive and person-centered approach and embrace individualized care.

Licenses or Certifications would be preferred:

• Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC
• Licensed Behavior Specialist - LBS
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst - BCBA
• Licensed Social Worker – LSW

The Master’s Level Behavioral Specialist is minimally required to participate in Monthly Supervision with the Associate Director of Clinical Supports or designee as a quality measure (not required by Service Definition for Master’s Level staff).

The Master’s Level Behavioral Specialist may also be required to conduct supervision with Bachelor’s Level Behavioral Specialists. The Master’s Level Behavioral Specialist is not required to have their behavior support plans nor progress notes reviewed by the Associate Director of Clinical Services or Designee, unless otherwise determined by Associate Director.

Responsibilities

• Conducts a Functional Behavioral Assessment and an analysis of assessment findings of the behavior(s) to be targeted so that an appropriate behavior support plan shaped also by trauma-informed principles may be designed;
• Designs data collection methods and evaluates behavioral data;
• Collaborates with the individual, family, guardians and the service plan team for developing behavior support plans and promotes an ongoing team-approach;
• Completes comprehensive assessments of newly presenting issues;
• Develops, updates and maintains an individualized, person-centered comprehensive behavior support plan founded in trauma-informed principles;
• Develops a crisis intervention plan;
• Develops a fade plan for restrictive interventions;
• Presents Restrictive Procedure plans to a Human Rights Team;
• Trains and provides supports related to the implementation of behavior support plans;
• Completes documentation related to services provided and the individual’s progress;
• Implements activities and strategies identified in the individual’s behavior support plan, which include providing direct behavioral support, educating the individual and supporters regarding the underlying causes/functions of behavior and modeling and coaching of supporters to carry out interventions;
• Monitors implementation of the behavior support plan and revises as needed.
• Attends psychiatric, mental health and medical appointments as necessary.
• Completes debriefings with people supported and service plan team members as needed.
• Participates in training and other educational opportunities that contribute to professional growth.
• Develops additional resources and materials to address identified needs of the person supported.
• Fosters and values collaborative relationships with people supported, service plan teams and administrative staff.
• Responsible for the completion of other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Person Centered Care: The skill of providing a holistic care approach by understanding all person’s beliefs and values.
• Teamwork: The skill of demonstrating and fostering cooperation, communication, trust and consensus among individuals and groups.
• Ethics/Responsibility/Integrity: The skill of gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, authenticity, and acceptance of responsibility.
• Communicates Effectively: The skill of communicating both orally and in written formal in a professional and concise manner

Hours

• 37.5 hours per week.
• Flexible schedule including non-traditional working hours (i.e., evenings/weekends/early mornings).

Physical Requirements

• Vision Acuity for the Position:Vision is Essential
• Environmental Conditions: 90% Inside – 10% Outside
• Workers may be Exposed to:ColdHeatDustMistOdors
• Physical Requirements for the Position: ability to lift 50 pounds regularly, ability to respond quickly to sounds, ability to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces, ability to see and respond to dangerous situations, ability to work in extreme weather, ability to wear personal protective gear correctly most of the day

QualificationsEducation and Experience

A Master’s degree or higher in Psychology, Special Education, Counseling, Social Work, Education, Applied Behavior Analysis or Gerontology from an accredited college or university preferred.

Minimum 3 years employment experience working directly with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Behavior Specialist Licensure and/or Certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Social Worker or other similar Behavioral Health license preferred.

Knowledge of trauma-informed care, behavior principles, evaluation and assessment process.

Pre-requisites

• Maintains current licensure at agency expense.
• Flexible schedule including non-traditional working hours (i.e., evenings/weekends/early mornings).
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Effective documentation and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attentive to detail and meets deadlines.
• Maintains confidentiality of individual and agency information.
• Exemplifies professionalism and a positive image.
• Understands agency policies and procedures.

Employment with Mainstay Life Services is an “at will” relationship. “At will” means that employment is of no specific length. It also means that employees and Mainstay Life Services both retain the discretionary right to terminate employment at any time if either is dissatisfied for any reason. I have reviewed the information contained in this job description and agree to accept the specific duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by my supervisor.

Mainstay is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.