Behavior Specialist

Company: Hope
Location: Springfield
Posted on: March 25, 2025

Job Description:

Behavior Specialist - Full-Time (Non-Profit, Mission-Focused)Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000 annually
COMPANY SUMMARY:Hope is a clinical, educational, and therapeutic provider for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. We exist to help children and their families reach their maximum potential by providing state-of-the-art applied behavioral analysis therapies and access to recreation, vocational training, and individualized education programming. Our mission is to provide the best services in the most inclusive environments to encourage persons to fulfill their individual potential through evidence-based treatment, advocacy, and community education. There's no place like Hope. JOB SUMMARY:Behavior Specialists provide interdisciplinary technical assistance and training response to persons with an intellectual and developmental disabilities in a medical or behavioral situation that challenges their ability to live and thrive in the community. Behavioral Specialist observe, assess, evaluate, and provide training and consultation with family members and providers working to support the person who is experiencing challenges with an urgent, chronic or cyclical medical or behavioral concern that has not responded to previously trialed interventions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:Work is performed primarily in the community at various agencies or family homes. The work may include significant usage of a motor vehicle as well as maintenance of an active, state-approved driver's license; Work may require flexible hours, outside of normal business hours; this position will be subject to potentially high stress situations in unplanned environments and the employee should be able to communicate with supervisor when assistance is required to navigate critical situations with a measured and solution-focused approach.An ICPN clinician must model and work directly with clients and families in crisis; This role may be subject to prolonged periods of sit-down work at a desk and working on a computer as well as prolonged periods of sitting while traveling, walking, standing or otherwise supporting clients and providers, indoors and outdoors. The position and work involved traveling to various work sites as needed; Must be able to lift, push, pull and carry a minimum of 50 lbs at a time; Requires supporting clients and/or adaptive equipment; willingness and ability to make quick body movements. WHAT YOU WILL DO:Clinical Observations, Assessment, and Evaluation (50%)

• Ensures the completion of the intake assessment, weekly case notes, and other documentation as required within the specified time frames.
• In conjunction with the ICPN Clinical Supervisor and other team members, analyzes and reviews available data to determine level of need and course of treatment; Assesses underlying mental health conditions and their effect on behavior; Assists in recording data concerning the individual's response to treatment.
• Conducts on-site observations in family homes, community providers, etc. and environmental reviews to determine factors in the environment that may have an impact on the individual's responses.
• Under the guidance and direction of the Clinical Supervisor, collates data concerning adherence to the contract requirements, individual, family and provider satisfaction survey information. In addition, will collate individual specific data regarding response to behavior intervention, baseline data, etc.Training and Consultation (35%)
  • Implements and provides training for family and/or providers in the established behavioral strategies and adaptive skills recommendations. Effectively communicates all issues and concerns to the Clinical Supervisor & Director.
  • Works closely with community agencies, schools, and families to ensure training in and implementation of necessary support strategies in the attempt to generalize these strategies from one setting to another.
  • Provides educational training concerning basic principles of behavior analysis, overview of intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental illness, de-escalation, etc.
  • Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, provider staff meetings, and additional meetings as requested in support of the individual in crisis and their clinical/medical needs.Professional Development (15%)
    • In addition, participates in on-going professional development and continuing education through participation in workshops and conferences.
    • Participates actively in problem-solving; provides solution-oriented and proactive recommendations; maintains effective and respectful interactions; communicates clearly and effectively.
    • Assumes responsibilities as a mandated reporter concerning incidents of purported abuse/neglect of clients as outlined in the agency's policies and procedures.
    • Maintains compliance with all applicable DHS regulations and licensure requirements (if applicable).
    • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
    • Must be able to function autonomously and with integrity, providing an accurate representation of ICPN clinical services to community partners
    • Must be able to demonstrate consistency with time management and scheduling appointments (virtual or in-person)
    • Skill in cultural competency and the ability to communicate effectively in a culturally sensitive manner with both individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.WHAT YOU WILL BRING:
      • Experience and or specialized knowledge in one or more of the following: Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities; Autism Spectrum Disorders; or Mental Illness.
      • Experience in the application of adaptive skills training, including but not limited to social skills, coping skills, communication, anger management, and validation.
      • Requires the ability to implement crisis interventions and to assist in the implementation of such interventions to ensure the safety of the individual and others.
      • Requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with service providers and family members. Requires the ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both written and orally) in a professional manner.
      • Requires the ability to cope with sensitive situations in relation to staff, recipients, and community providers.
      • Experience in functional assessment, behavior program development/monitoring, and competency-based staff training procedures in program implementation. Additional expertise in discrete trial training, functional communication training, prompting, prompt fading/ differential reinforcement schedules, and crisis intervention strategies is preferred.
      • Skill in cultural competency and the ability to communicate effectively in a culturally sensitive manner with both individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.WHAT WE PREFER:
        • Qualified candidates must possess a master's degree in a Behavior Analysis or related field; consideration may be provided to bachelor level degrees with sufficient work experience.
        • At least one year of experience working directly with people with intellectual disabilities or other developmental disabilities. WHAT YOU WILL GET:
          • Paid Training!
          • Health Insurance
          • Dental Insurance
          • Vision Insurance
          • Flexible Spending Account (Health and Dependent)
          • Health Savings Account
          • Life Insurance
          • 401(k) Retirement Plan, Profit Share, and Match
          • Paid Time Off
          • Floating Holidays
          • Employee & Dependent Tuition Reimbursement Assistance
            Hope is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
            
            Compensation details: 55000-60000 Yearly Salary
            
            
            
            PIaac03ac5871f-37248-37232852

Keywords: Hope, Springfield , Behavior Specialist, Other , Springfield, Illinois