PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Apis Services Inc•Caernarvon Township, PA

3h•$29 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

Now hiring a Physical Development Specialist to join our team at Abraxas Academy in Morgantown, PA. Here, you will help at-risk adolescents BUILD BETTER FUTURES. Abraxas Academy is located minutes off of Exit 298 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Berks County and provides detention and treatment services for court committed youth. Are you looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of at-risk youth? As a Treatment Supervisor, you will have the opportunity to make a difference every day. The Physical Development Specialist implements the Regulation and Movement Program (RAMP), a targeted stabilization strategy designed to reduce behavioral escalation among high-risk youth through structured physical activity and physiological regulation techniques. Youth served at Abraxas Academy often operate in a state of heightened physiological activation due to trauma exposure, impulsivity, and environmental stressors. This role addresses the underlying biological drivers of behavior by providing proactive, movement-based interventions that reduce escalation, improve self-regulation, and enhance overall program stability. This position is not traditional recreation or supervision. The Physical Development Specialist uses exercise science principles as a behavioral intervention, integrating cardiovascular activity, structured programming, and recovery techniques to support emotional and behavioral regulation. This position is built on the understanding that many youths regulate more effectively through structured physical engagement than through verbal processing alone. The Physical Development Specialist helps youth: Safely discharge stress through movement Stay cognitively engaged during activation Learn to intentionally regulate through recovery techniques Abraxas Youth & Family Services, an affiliate of Apis Services Inc., offers a rewarding career for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. Abraxas is a great place to start your career whether you have a high school diploma or GED, military experience, some college, or a bachelor or advanced degree. If you are interested in counseling, juvenile justice, psychology, social work, teaching or just want to make a difference, we have a career path for you. Apis Services Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Inperium, Inc.) provides a progressive platform for delivering Shared Services to Inperium and its Constellation of affiliate companies. Apis Services provides equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment in compliance with all federal and all applicable state and local laws and regulations, including nondiscrimination in hiring and employment. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy/childbirth, veteran status or any other basis protected by law. This policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunities extends to every phase and aspect of hiring and employment.

Requirements

Must pass a drug test and both federal and state background checks!
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., kinesiology, exercise science, physical education, sports science, psychology, or a similar discipline) preferred
Demonstrated ability to lead structured group activities or programming
Interest in working with adolescents and supporting behavioral growth
Ability to manage groups in active, high-energy environments
Strong interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills
Ability to maintain structure, discipline, and safety during movement-based activities

Nice To Haves

Experience leading athletic, fitness, recreation, or youth development activities
Experience working in team-based or structured program environments
Familiarity with behavior management, coaching, or mentoring approaches
Certification in CPR/First Aid (or ability to obtain)

Responsibilities

Targeted Caseload Intervention
Maintain a caseload of youth identified as high risk for behavioral escalation
Conduct individual and small-group sessions focused on cardiovascular engagement and regulation
Facilitate structured activities such as basketball, soccer, interval training, agility drills, and cycling
Provide guided coaching during activity to support emotional awareness and behavioral choices
Assist youth in identifying triggers and practicing alternative responses
Deliver proactive interventions to reduce the likelihood of crisis behavior
Structured Recreation Leadership
Design and implement structured recreation programming across residential units
Minimize idle time and reduce unstructured or chaotic activities
Increase safe cardiovascular intensity and engagement levels
Establish organized team formats that reinforce discipline and accountability
Collaborate with and train unit staff on maintaining structure, safety, and behavioral expectations during movement activities
Support consistent implementation of program standards across shifts
Regulation and Recovery Integration
Integrate physiological regulation techniques into programming, including:
Tactical breathing
Heart rate monitoring and recovery training
Mobility and flexibility work
Collaborate with external specialists (e.g., yoga or wellness instructors) to enhance programming
Facilitate short, guided recovery sessions to promote down-regulation following physical activity
Teach youth strategies to intentionally transition from activation to calm
Behavior Stabilization Support
Use movement as a proactive intervention to reduce aggression and crisis incidents
Reinforce program expectations, structure, and accountability during all activities
Model calm, controlled responses in high-energy environments
Maintain safety and behavioral boundaries at all times
Communicate effectively with clinical and program staff regarding youth progress