Youth Behavioral Specialist

YMCA of the Black Hills•Rapid City, SD

1d•$30

About The Position

The YMCA is a place where every child can belong, grow, and thrive. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Youth Behavioral Specialist to join our afterschool and camp programs, supporting children in their social-emotional development and helping them navigate behavioral challenges in positive, skill-building ways. In this role, you will work directly with youth, providing structured behavioral support, modeling strategies, and promoting emotional regulation and positive peer interactions in group settings. You will also serve as a mentor and coach to program staff, offering practical guidance, feedback, and resources to strengthen their ability to support children with diverse behavioral and developmental needs. Collaboration is a key part of this position. You will work closely with families, school partners, and interdisciplinary teams to support IEP-aligned accommodations and ensure consistency between school and YMCA program environments. Your observations, insights, and applied strategies will help children participate successfully in group activities, develop confidence and self-regulation skills, and build positive relationships with peers and adults. In addition, you will support staff in implementing proactive behavior strategies and de-escalation techniques, creating safe, nurturing spaces where all children feel welcome and supported. By using evidence-informed practices and data-driven tools, you will help strengthen program quality and ensure that every child's experience is meaningful and inclusive. The ideal candidate holds a master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, applied behavior analysis, special education, or a related field, and has hands-on experience supporting children's behavioral and social-emotional growth in school-based, community-based, or youth program settings. Experience with IEPs, behavior intervention plans, or interdisciplinary collaboration is highly valued, and candidates should demonstrate strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills. You will need the ability to mentor and guide staff across diverse program environments while maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to YMCA policies, including mandated reporting and abuse prevention practices. This role requires a person who is flexible, observant, and able to adapt strategies in real time to meet the unique needs of each child, while also thinking strategically about program-level improvements. At the YMCA, we are driven by a mission to strengthen communities, and we bring our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility into every aspect of our work. Our Youth Behavioral Specialists play a crucial role in fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where children can grow socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about youth development, enjoys working collaboratively with families and staff, and wants to make a measurable difference in the lives of children and the community. You will be part of a team committed to creating positive, safe, and inclusive program experiences that empower children to develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. If you are committed to helping children succeed, guiding staff, and supporting families, while living and modeling the YMCA's values, we encourage you to apply for this meaningful and impactful opportunity. Join us in making our community stronger, one child at a time, and be part of a team where you can belong, become, and make a lasting difference.

Requirements

Hold a master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, applied behavior analysis, special education, or a related field
Have hands-on experience supporting children's behavioral and social-emotional growth in school-based, community-based, or youth program settings.
Demonstrate strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
Ability to mentor and guide staff across diverse program environments while maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to YMCA policies, including mandated reporting and abuse prevention practices.
Flexible, observant, and able to adapt strategies in real time to meet the unique needs of each child, while also thinking strategically about program-level improvements.

Nice To Haves

Experience with IEPs, behavior intervention plans, or interdisciplinary collaboration is highly valued

Responsibilities

Work directly with youth, providing structured behavioral support, modeling strategies, and promoting emotional regulation and positive peer interactions in group settings.
Serve as a mentor and coach to program staff, offering practical guidance, feedback, and resources to strengthen their ability to support children with diverse behavioral and developmental needs.
Work closely with families, school partners, and interdisciplinary teams to support IEP-aligned accommodations and ensure consistency between school and YMCA program environments.
Support staff in implementing proactive behavior strategies and de-escalation techniques, creating safe, nurturing spaces where all children feel welcome and supported.
Using evidence-informed practices and data-driven tools, you will help strengthen program quality and ensure that every child's experience is meaningful and inclusive.