Behavior Intervention Specialist

Program Development Services Inc. • New York, NY

6h

About The Position

NeuSpark Person Directed Services (PDS) provides person-centered, community-based support for individuals with developmental disabilities through residential, day, and community services. Its programs focus on each person’s strengths, goals, and needs, promoting independence, inclusion, dignity, choice, connection, personal growth, and participation in community life while addressing physical and medical needs with care and respect.

The Behavior Intervention Specialist supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by assessing behavioral needs, developing and implementing individualized behavior support strategies, and monitoring progress. The position collaborates with individuals, families, direct support staff, clinicians, and other care-team members to promote positive behaviors, independence, safety, and quality of life. Work includes behavioral observations and assessments, data collection and analysis, behavior-plan development, staff training, ongoing consultation, and ensuring interventions are person-centered, evidence-based, safe, and consistent with OPWDD guidelines.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in psychology, school psychology, or social work, or a New York State license in Mental Health Counseling.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors.
• Knowledge of behavioral assessment, ABA principles, positive behavior supports, and person-centered planning.
• Strong assessment, data collection, documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals, families, DSPs, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of OPWDD regulations, policies, human rights, and safety practices.

Nice To Haves

• Training in crisis prevention and de-escalation.

Responsibilities

• Assess behavioral needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Conduct behavioral observations, interviews, and functional behavior assessments.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized Behavior Support Plans (BSPs).
• Use person-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based behavioral interventions.
• Collect, document, and analyze behavioral data to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
• Identify behavioral patterns, triggers, antecedents, and consequences.
• Provide direct behavioral support and coaching to individuals and staff when appropriate.
• Monitor progress and modify interventions based on data and individual needs.
• Promote individuals’ independence, dignity, choice, self-advocacy, and quality of life.
• Ensure interventions are implemented safely and consistently and comply with applicable OPWDD requirements.
• Collaborate with psychologists, clinicians, nurses, care managers, families, guardians, and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
• Train and coach staff on behavior plans, prevention strategies, skill-building techniques, and crisis prevention.
• Provide ongoing consultation to residential, day, and community-based programs.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical and behavioral documentation.
• Review incident reports and behavioral data to identify trends and recommend interventions.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and contribute behavioral expertise to person-centered planning.
• Develop strategies to increase adaptive skills, communication, social skills, coping skills, and community participation.
• Help reduce behaviors that interfere with health, safety, relationships, or community integration.
• Evaluate intervention effectiveness and recommend revisions.
• Follow organizational policies, OPWDD regulations, ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and applicable human-rights protections.
• Advocate for least-restrictive approaches and ensure restrictive interventions, when applicable, are used only according to authorized plans and regulatory requirements.
• Respond appropriately to behavioral crises and participate in post-crisis review and prevention planning.
• Participate in the Human Rights Committee and other committees as appropriate.
• Maintain professional competence through ongoing training and continuing education.
• Help maintain an inclusive, respectful workplace and treat others with empathy, kindness, and respect.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time