Description

Summary:

The behavioral specialist provides support to program staff under the direction of the shelter supervisors (or designee) and ultimately the Assistant Program Director. They are responsible for ensuring the quality of the therapeutic environment, which includes assisting in training staff on de-escalation techniques, trauma informed techniques such as Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and managing difficult behaviors. This position responds to crisis situations in the program and models appropriate response to behaviors to all staff. This position is considered the “expert” in avoiding difficult behaviors and responding to them when necessary. 

Position Responsibilities:

• *Respond to crisis calls regarding children’s behaviors.
• *Coordinate and model appropriate behavior interventions for staff.
• *Ensures staff knows, understands and utilizes trauma informed care principles and competencies.
• *Ensures staff use trauma informed interventions to help youth develop and maintain their self-regulation skills.
• *Conduct on the floor observations to monitor Residential Child and Youth Care Professional (RCYCP) and Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) competency progress and provide on-going coaching and mentoring.
• Assist staff in understanding the importance of a trauma informed environment.
• Provide input and partner with case managers and other members of the therapeutic team regarding behavioral contracts and potential discharges.
• Adhere to and maintain documentation in accordance with contractor requirements, state licensing standards, funding source requirements, St. PJ’s policies/procedures, and all accreditation body requirements.
• Ensures staff are actively working with residents to help them develop in an array of areas to include social skills, emotion regulation, academics, problem solving, personal hygiene, life skill development.
• Ensure staff interact with youth in a manner that promotes a connective relationship between staff and the youth.
• Other duties as assigned by Assistant Program Director, Program Director and/or Senior Director of Emergency Services.

Competencies: 

Managing Change

Customer Service

Solution Oriented

Results Oriented

Teamwork

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: 

Able to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with unaccompanied children.

o Varicella: two doses of varicella vaccine (at least 4 weeks apart) OR born in the United States before 1980 with a reported history of chickenpox (verified by an adult present at the time of illness) OR titers indicating varicella immunity OR documentation from healthcare provider verifying previous infection.

o MMR: two doses of MMR vaccine (at least 4 weeks apart) OR titers indicating immunity to all three diseases

o DTaP or DTap: Complete primary vaccination series. If primary vaccination series completed in childhood, one DTaP dose in adulthood.

o Influenza: one dose annually during flu season.

• Education
  • High School diploma or equivalent. 
  • At least 2 years of college coursework in psychology or related field preferred. 
• Experience
  • Minimum of 1 year in a childcare setting. 
  • Minimum 1 year experience handling crises/de-escalation preferred. 
• License and Credentials
  • Reliable transportation
  • Valid driver license
  • Valid vehicle insurance

Minimum Knowledge and Skills: 

• Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Windows (Microsoft Word, Excel) and a variety of online database systems, managing files and records, designing forms and other office procedures and terminology.
• Strong analytical and organization skills and abilities.
• Must be able to read and interpret policy, procedures and standards.
• Must be detail oriented, organized, self-motivated, work well independently and on a team.
• Must have good written and verbal skills.
• Must have good critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to remain calm and composed in crisis situations.
• *Bilingual: Fluent in English/Spanish with regards to reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension of the spoken language.

Travel Requirements:

Travel requirements for the position includes _10___% local and __0__% overnight.

Physical Requirements:

The position requires the following physical demands in the frequency noted.

C = Constantly (2/3 or more of the time) O = Occasionally (Up to 1/3 of the time)

F = Frequently (From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) R = Rarely (less than on hour per week)

Physical Demands

Frequency

Lifting up to _50___pounds

F

Reach above shoulder height.

F

Sitting

F

Reach below shoulder height.

F

Walking

C

Driving

F

Running

F

Stooping

F 

Standing

C

Pushing

F

Bending waist (forward or sideways)

C

Pulling

F 

Balancing

F

Talking

C 

Squatting

F

Hearing

C

Climbing

O

Crawling

O

Repetitive motions

F

Disclaimer:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, etc.) ** This is a Grant funded position and salary is dependent on funding availability. Position can be eliminated at any time because of lack of funding to support this position.**

St. PJ’s Children’s Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To view this and other employment opportunities please visit The Archdiocese of San Antonio website at www.stpjhome.org. You must apply through the website and complete the application and upload your resume. No phone calls please. If you are chosen for an interview, you will be contacted.