Behavioral Specialist, South County Academy

Urban League of Rhode Island; Exeter (RI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and work-life benefits

Job summary

Family Service of Rhode Island in Exeter, RI is seeking a dedicated youth services professional to provide guidance, support, and supervision to adolescents ages 13-18 in a school and residential setting. This role emphasizes trauma-informed practice and direct engagement with youth across various activities, promoting safety and positive development.

The position requires implementing Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and other evidence-based models, along with supporting daily decision making,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy or significant therapeutic recreation experience in a residential setting.
• Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial and socioeconomic issues.
• Excellent communication skills and team-oriented mindset.
• Capabilities to implement appropriate child management techniques, which may include passive physical restraint.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance, support, and supervision to adolescents ages 13-18 in a school and residential setting.
• Implement and maintain Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and other evidence-based models of treatment.
• Assist each student to make decisions about daily life, conduct and discipline within the boundaries of the agency.
• Facilitate and engage youth in programming including arts & crafts, sporting activities, horticultural groups, life skills groups, etc.

Skills

Communication skills

Team-oriented

Cultural sensitivity

Flexible schedule

Child management techniques

Education

Bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy

Job description

Employer: Family Service of Rhode Island

South County Academy

Exeter, RI 02822

Contact: Genesis Fuentes

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Job Description

FSRI is always looking for candidates that want to make a positive impact on the community!

Position Summary

To provide guidance, support, and supervision to adolescents ages 13-18 in a school and residential setting. Provide a trauma informed approach implementing and maintaining Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and other evidence-based models of treatment. To assist each student to make decisions about daily life, conduct and discipline within the boundaries of the agency, programs policies, and the requirements of the contractual agreement with the Department of Children, Youth and Families. You will facilitate and engage youth in programming including arts & crafts, sporting activities, horticultural groups, life skills groups, etc. Whether in the classroom, the residential dorm, or during recreational activities, you will promote safety, well-being, self-expression, learning, and positive decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy or significant therapeutic recreation experience in a residential setting required.
• Willingness and capability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial and socioeconomic issues.
• Excellent communication skills and team-oriented mindset.
• Capabilities to implement appropriate child management techniques, which may include use of passive physical restraint.
• The position requires reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, registration, inspection and driving record. In addition, the reliable transportation must have a minimum of three seats in addition to the driver’s seat.
• Employees may be scheduled to work shifts less than three hours in any workday, to attend required staff meetings, which are agreed to in advance by the parties.
• Bilingual/ASL skills are compensated by an additional 6%, above base pay.
• Multilingual skills are compensated by an additional 8%, above base pay.

Physical Requirements

• Travel to and from community locations, FSRI main sites, and the school/residential location which could include using walkways, stairs and/or elevators
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to push or pull 10 lbs. or more
• Ability to perform restraint techniques if needed and work with physically aggressive students.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Here at FSRI, we’re dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about one of our career opportunities, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be the perfect fit for this or another opportunity!

Benefits

• We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental and work life benefits.

Only together can we continue to grow and make a difference in our communities.

Join our FAMILY today!

About

Family Service of Rhode Island provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Family Service of RI (FSRI) is a statewide organization with a 130 year track record of improving the health and well-being of children and families. We are passionate about our mission to advance opportunity and hope. FSRI’s diverse and inclusive teams – working across the Health, Healing, Home and Hope divisions, are experts in their fields, delivering strategies to positively impact lives. We provide services statewide, and currently operate in three locations in Providence; and four locations in East Providence, Smithfield and North Smithfield.

FSRI determines pay based on a candidate's relevant and transferable experience, certifications, licenses, degree and language ability.

Requirements

Salary Levels

$0.00 - $0.00

Positions Available

There are 1 positions available at this time.

Application Period

Monday, August 03, 2026 through Saturday, October 03, 2026