Behavioral Specialist

at  YMCA Southcoast

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Camp Support Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The role of the Behavioral Specialist is to coordinate efforts with the Clinician, counselors, nurse, and administration to implement strategies to help children with a diverse array of abilities and social and emotional needs to positively engage. S/he will communicate with and act as a resource for staff and families. S/he will display and encourage the character traits of honesty, respect, caring, and responsibility and utilize the Character Development Learning Institute approach to Positive Youth Development.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Child Development, Social Work, Counseling, Special Education, Psychology, Child Psychology, Human Services, or a related field is preferred; or working towards a degree.
• An understanding of positive behavioral approaches and Positive Youth Development.
• Minimum of Two years related work experience, which includes working with children with emotional and/or behavioral disturbances. Camp experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills and demonstrates professionalism with staff, parents, and participants.
• Experience working with at-risk populations is helpful.
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, Power Point
• Must be able to sit, stand, bend, walk, and be outdoors during the workday.

• With the Director and Clinician, coordinate the Support Team including co-leading Tuesday morning team meetings to review the Children Concern Logs.
• The Clinician develops and creates individual support plans that recognize the uniqueness and interest of the child and works with team to ensure supports are in place.
• Coordinate the actions or tasks identified in the Support Plan. Which may include teaching and practicing emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills with campers as well as implementing behavioral modification plans.
• Support the Clinician to act as a liaison to family and/or support systems or collaterals. When directed by Clinician or Director, facilitate communication with families and collaterals to provide updates and to problem solve any challenges. Provide resources when needed.
• Provide on-going training and guidance to front line counselors on how to: minimize common behavior problems and how to work with children who display a diverse array of emotional and behavioral challenges. Intervene with children when appropriate to prevent or resolve problems.
• Monitor children’s groups for behavior trends. Support Counselors and Clinician to facilitate special topic groups as needed.
• Create a child culture of positive mental health, trauma informed care, cultural humility, and behavior management.
• Maintain proper documentation.
• Engage in clinical supervision.
• Mandated Reporter