Behavior Specialist

$30.00 - $35.00/hour

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Program Director, the role of the Behavior Specialist is to ensure that mediation services are reflective of the Children's Aid program philosophy, which emphasizes assets-building and strength-based approaches in the delivery of group, individual counseling, crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques and case management services in afterschool.

Essential Duties:

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Facilitate small groups to promote open dialogue, build social skills, and help students further develop their individual goals and aspirations.
• Provide life skills coaching and mentoring in afterschool program.
• Plan and implement life skills related activities based on identified curricula in a manner that motivates and engages children and strengthens their social-emotional skills.
• Connect students to a range of prevention, early intervention, and intensive service programs that address their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development.
• Collaborate with school staff, including classroom teachers, to implement student action plans.
• Attend weekly crisis team meeting with DOE staff.
• Ability to engage and diffuse crisis situations and provide De- Escalation techniques.
• Run Social Emotional Groups throughout the school year.
• Ensure that all participants receive personalized, prompt attention and are treated with receptiveness, dignity and respect, no matter how limited the contact.
• Attend administrative meetings (e.g. utilization reviews, case conferences administrative meetings)
• Participate with interdisciplinary team members in developing and implementing program policies and procedures and preventing crises.
• Provide direct counseling/social services/mediation to students referred by self, faculty, administration and other school ancillary staff.
• Update and maintain case records-Tracks and follows up on all referrals made in and out of school.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate degree or bachelor's Degree.
• 2 years' experience working in the youth development field.
• Experience working in a school environment

Key Competencies:

• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse staff, student body, and families, as well as a team of professionals at the school.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.