Supervisor - Behavior Intervention Specialist

YAI • New York, NY

4d • $75,000 - $86,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of BIS leadership, the Behavior Intervention Specialist Supervisor oversees and directs the day-to-day activities of Behavior Intervention Specialist (BIS) staff in an assigned region. The role provides leadership and clinical support for assessing the habilitative, behavioral, and psychiatric needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and for developing and implementing effective interventions. The supervisor regularly interacts with people supported, oversees BIS interactions with them, and helps ensure their health, safety, well-being, habilitation, and personal-care needs are addressed.

The position also performs clinical duties for an assigned caseload and ensures clinical needs across the region are addressed; staff are appropriately trained; person-centered interventions and program plans are understood and consistently implemented; data is collected effectively; and required documentation is completed and maintained. The supervisor monitors BIS staff performance, attendance, operational needs, timekeeping, employee changes, and evaluations, and works with regional leadership on individual needs, plans, concerns, training, and behavior-focused initiatives.

The role is based in Queens and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Evening or weekend flexibility may occasionally be needed. Regular travel to programs across the assigned region is required, with occasional travel to local headquarters or other regions. Compensation is $75,000–$86,000 annually.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a clinical or treatment field of psychology, social work, school psychology, or applied psychology related to human development and clinical interventions, with documented training in assessment techniques and behavior support plan development; or the stated alternative qualifications of National Board certification in behavior analysis (BCBA) and a master’s degree in behavior analysis or an OPWDD-approved closely related field; or a current New York State Education Department license and registration in Mental Health Counseling.
• At least three years of experience working directly with individuals with developmental disabilities, including developing, implementing, and monitoring behavior support plans and/or supervising and training others in their implementation.
• Complete BIS School or authorized equivalent training through YAI within one year of appointment if not previously completed.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends, and travel regularly to programs across assigned regions and occasionally to other regions or local headquarters.
• Hold or obtain and maintain SCIP-R or SCIP-R Restrictive and CPR certification within six months of hire if required for assigned programs; additional certifications may be required based on assigned programs.
• Expertise and/or specialized training or education in one or more areas such as testing and assessments, evidence-based approaches, positive psychology, ABA, CBT, DBT, or related areas.
• Knowledge of the hierarchy of restrictive/intrusive interventions.
• Strong dedication to quality care and person-centered, team-based care.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build relationships, collaborate, and communicate clinical matters appropriately with people at all levels.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills, including the ability to direct, coach, and support BIS and program staff across multiple sites and adapt leadership style to different challenges.
• Strong understanding of the expected and therapeutic effects of psychotropic medications and the ability to train others on them.
• Organizational skills and flexibility to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and address person-centered needs.
• Computer proficiency, including email, Microsoft Office Suite, electronic health records such as DA, and/or Workday, for documenting services and progress and completing tasks.
• Ability to meet physical demands, including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, and reaching; handling, fingering, or feeling objects, tools, or controls; assisting with lifting or moving individuals of any weight using mechanical lifts or other equipment and/or pushing individuals in wheelchairs; occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds; and the physical capacity to implement emergency interventions specified in a person’s Behavior Support Plan, including lifting or moving individuals of any weight with or without equipment or other staff.

Nice To Haves

• Previous supervisory experience in the I/DD or mental health field.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Behavior Intervention Specialists in an assigned region, communicate job expectations and procedures, and observe and evaluate performance.
• Perform OPWDD BIS 2 clinical duties for an assigned caseload, including assessments, evaluations, person-centered interventions and behavior support plans, staff training, data collection, and documentation.
• Direct and assist BIS staff with functional behavior assessments and other behavior assessments, and with implementing, monitoring, and updating behavior support plans and interventions through support, feedback, and coaching.
• Participate in hiring by interviewing and assessing candidates for behavior intervention roles, and ensure appropriate regional staffing and coverage.
• Initiate, review, or approve staff status, work-hour, promotion, demotion, transfer, and other personnel adjustments, and submit changes through Workday in a timely manner.
• Ensure timekeeping records and approvals are accurate and timely in Workday; identify and address attendance, work-hour, and time-tracking concerns.
• Travel regularly to regional programs to conduct assessments, implement plans, collect data, facilitate training, attend meetings, and observe staff; travel to local headquarters or other regions as directed.
• Serve as the primary regional resource for behavioral and psychiatric needs, provide clinical support to program staff and regional leadership, attend regional leadership meetings, and recommend initiatives addressing changing needs.
• Collaborate with regional program leadership, program staff, and the BIS team to identify and coordinate clinical training, supports, data collection, and related plans, and provide feedback as applicable.
• Plan and facilitate regional direct-care leadership and clinical team meetings, providing training, guidance, mentorship, and feedback to Assistant BIS and other direct-care staff.
• Participate in agency programs, behavior-focused initiatives, and committees, and support additional programs or regions as requested.
• Interpret behavior as communication and assess learning capabilities to support effective interventions and learning techniques; seek external resources and make referrals when appropriate.
• Facilitate on-site, classroom, or web instructor-led training, including BIS School, SCIP-R, Ukeru, and other clinical trainings; participate in clinical training curriculum development.
• Stay current with developments in behavior intervention and related clinical areas through research and continuing, professional, or other educational opportunities.
• Supervise and evaluate student interns or other staff pursuing development opportunities in related clinical areas, as authorized.
• Provide and document clinical supervision for staff pursuing clinical hours for New York State licensure, if authorized by New York State.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical and dental insurance, with family and expanded medical plan options; vision coverage
• Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager