AP019 - Behavioural Support Specialist/Mentor - Upper West Side

British American Household Staffing • New York, NY

8d • $60 • Onsite

About The Position

A Manhattan family is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and engaging Behavioural Support Specialist/Mentor to provide individualised support to their two sons, aged 9 and 13. The primary focus is the younger child, who is bright, energetic, active, and particularly interested in baseball. He is doing well at school but can have difficulty managing frustration, regulating emotions, and navigating family and social interactions. The role will help him develop positive coping strategies, build confidence, and strengthen relationships, particularly with his older brother.

This is a relationship-based role in a private family setting rather than a traditional therapy position or highly structured clinical programme. The successful candidate will build a genuine, trusting relationship and incorporate behavioural support into everyday activities, such as playing baseball, accompanying the children to activities, and spending time together. The role also offers opportunities to support the older brother and promote a more positive sibling relationship.

The family seeks a long-term professional who can become a trusted and consistent presence in the children's lives. The candidate should combine professional knowledge with warmth, patience, confidence, and enthusiasm for working with children, while maintaining clear and consistent boundaries. Approximately 16 hours per week are anticipated initially, with the potential for additional hours. The family offers a competitive hourly rate of $60+/hour, depending on qualifications and experience. Guaranteed hours, paid time off, holidays, and other benefits will be discussed and agreed based on the final schedule and employment arrangement.

Requirements

• Previous professional experience supporting school-aged children with behavioural, emotional, developmental, or learning-related challenges.
• Background in psychology, behavioural intervention, special education, therapeutic mentoring, social work, youth development, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of child development, emotional regulation, positive behavioural support, and relationship-based approaches.
• Experience supporting children with anxiety, frustration tolerance difficulties, emotional dysregulation, or challenging behaviour.
• Confidence applying proactive, evidence-informed strategies in natural environments.
• Demonstrated ability to establish trusting relationships with children who may initially be hesitant to engage with unfamiliar adults.
• Warm, patient, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent, with a calm and confident approach.
• Energetic, personable, and genuinely enthusiastic about engaging with children through sports, activities, and shared interests.
• Ability to balance a friendly, approachable mentoring style with clear and consistent professional boundaries.
• Confidence responding to frustration, verbal outbursts, and behavioural escalation using safe, non-punitive approaches.
• Non-judgemental, discreet, and respectful of family privacy.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with parents and other professionals.
• Flexible and adaptable to changes in the children's extracurricular schedules and family commitments.
• Comfortable supporting both children while recognising their individual needs and personalities.
• Legally authorised to work in the United States.
• Excellent, verifiable professional references.
• Willingness to undergo appropriate background checks.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting positive sibling relationships and family dynamics.
• Formal qualifications in Applied Behaviour Analysis, psychology, counselling, education, or a related discipline; relevant practical experience will also be considered.
• Experience working in private households or providing individualised one-to-one support.
• A valid driver's licence.

Responsibilities

• Establish a positive, trusting, and supportive relationship with the children, particularly the younger son.
• Provide individualised, developmentally appropriate support to help the younger child recognise, understand, and manage emotions.
• Teach practical coping strategies for frustration, anxiety, disappointment, and other challenging emotions.
• Encourage positive communication, respectful interactions, and appropriate expression of needs and feelings.
• Help the younger child develop confidence, self-esteem, emotional resilience, and independence.
• Recognise potential triggers and early signs of dysregulation, responding calmly and proactively to help prevent escalation.
• Use positive, evidence-informed behavioural strategies, including modelling, positive reinforcement, collaborative problem-solving, and teaching alternative behaviours.
• Support consistent routines, expectations, and appropriate boundaries in a supportive, non-punitive manner.
• Encourage reflection, problem-solving, and age-appropriate social and emotional skills.
• Provide engaging, relationship-based mentorship in the family home and during everyday activities.
• Accompany the children to recreational activities, sporting events, and outings as appropriate.
• Take an active interest in the children's hobbies, particularly baseball, and use shared interests to build rapport and encourage positive engagement.
• Create opportunities for learning and personal development through natural interactions.
• Model confidence, independence, emotional awareness, and healthy interpersonal relationships.
• Offer a consistent, approachable, and encouraging presence so the children feel supported rather than judged or singled out.
• Balance behavioural support and recreational activities with the children's existing commitments.
• Encourage positive interactions and a healthier relationship between the brothers.
• Support empathy, mutual respect, communication, conflict resolution, and appropriate personal boundaries.
• Provide age-appropriate guidance to the older sibling when helpful, ensuring both children feel heard, supported, and valued.
• Model constructive ways of managing disagreements and resolving conflicts.
• Work collaboratively with the parents to encourage consistency in behavioural expectations and approaches.
• Provide the family with regular, constructive feedback about progress, challenges, and helpful strategies.
• When appropriate and with parental consent, collaborate with therapists, educators, or other professionals supporting the family.
• Recognise when concerns require input from a qualified clinician and work within the boundaries of the candidate's training and experience.

Benefits

• Paid time off and holidays; details to be discussed and agreed based on the final schedule and employment arrangement.
• Guaranteed hours may be discussed and agreed based on the final schedule and employment arrangement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed