Behavioral Specialist

Community Options, Inc.; Bayside Beach (NJ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid holidays

Generous PTO

Employee discounts

403b retirement plan

Career growth opportunities

Tuition reduction

Job summary

Community Options, Inc. is seeking a full‑time Behavioral Specialist to support individuals with developmental disabilities in Forked River, NJ.

The role focuses on teaching essential skills for independence in a community setting and requires calm crisis handling and strong communication with staff and families. The position offers a starting salary of $50,000 and opportunities for professional growth within a national nonprofit that values prevention planning, IDT collaboration, and measurable

Qualifications

• Masters degree with one year of experience in developing behavior support plans and teaching staff to implement plans.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to establish a comfortable and supportive relationship with individuals receiving supports.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and remain calm in crisis situations.

Responsibilities

• Observe and interact with individuals
• Create prevention plans and support plans
• Complete functional assessments
• Train staff on implementation of plans
• Prepare progress reports for individual's immediate support group
• Serve as an active member of each person’s IDT and contribute to IDP development
• Attend staff meetings for various locations
• Cooperate with license and department staff during inspections
• Criminal background, central registry, child abuse registry, and drug checks completion required

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

Crisis management

Education

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Description

Community Options, Inc.is a national non-profit agency providing services to individuals with disabilities in 11 states.

We are now hiring a full-timeBehavioral Specialistto provide supportin Forked River, NJ. The Behavioral Specialist uses best practices and technology within a community-based setting to teach people with developmental disabilities how to acquire the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social skills needed to live as independently as possible. This individual must be able to handle the pressure of training in a public environment, exercise patience, work with a flexible schedule, and respond to crisis situations. Ingenuity and creativity must be utilized when determining the best training methods, assistance, and support for an individual.

Starting Salary: 50K

Responsibilities:

• Observe and interact with individuals
• Create prevention plans and support plans
• Complete functional assessments
• Train staff on implementation of plans
• Prepare progress reports for individual's immediate support group
• Serve as an active member of each person’s Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT), which includes involvement in Individual Habilitation Plan development
• Attend staff meetings for various locations
• Additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned
• Employee must cooperate with the license and department staff in any inspection, inquiry, or investigation
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of checks of criminal background, central registry, child abuse registry, and drug testing

Minimum Requirements:

• Masters’ degree with one year of experience in developing behavior support plans and teaching staff to implement plans
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
• Complete all state and agency required training per state guidelines
• Understanding and commitment to community-based supports for persons with disabilities
• Knowledge and understanding of local regulatory agency operations
• Experience with problem solving against multiple priorities
• Ability to establish a comfortable and supportive relationship with individuals receiving supports
• Ability to exercise good judgment and remain calm in crisis situations
• Ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills

Why Community Options?

• Competitive Insurance Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Paid Holidays—Including a Birthday Holiday
• Generous PTO
• Employee Incentive & Discount Programs
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Incredible career growth opportunities
• University partnerships that include tuition reduction

Community Options is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.