Behavior Specialist

Oak Hill/Gilead • Meriden, CT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Oak Hill has been enhancing the lives of people with disabilities since 1893! We invite you to join our team of highly committed professionals. Founded in 1893 by trailblazer and visionary, Emily Wells Foster, Oak Hill has over 129 years of experience providing the highest quality services to people with varying disabilities. Oak Hill sets the standard, partnering with people with disabilities, to provide services and solutions promoting independence, education, health, and dignity.
Gilead Community Services and Oak Hill have partnered to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and/or substance abuse challenges. The Bridge program was created in 2024 as an effort to utilize the resources of both Oak Hill and Gilead to provide stability to individuals transitioning into the community from a more secure setting.
Oak Hill seeks a passionate and experienced Behavior Specialist to work in our Community Transition Program (The Bridge) in cooperation with Gilead Community Services. This is a 3-bed transitional program that is designed to provide clinical treatment and functional skills training tailored to the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities that are co-occurring with mental health and/or addiction treatment needs.
This role will assist The Bridge Planning and Support Team (PST) to assess the behavioral needs of and design interventions for program individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, and/or substance use and mental health diagnoses as a means of enhancing the lives of people receiving services in keeping with the missions of Oak Hill and Gilead Community Services. The Bridge Behavior Specialist is familiar with and utilizes principles of Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and in working with people who have forensic issues and behavioral needs.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Education, Human Services or related field required. Master’s in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Psychology, Education, or a related field, certified BCBA, or license in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work, or working toward such qualification preferred.
• 2 years or more experience in a similar job, performing assessments and designing Behavioral Support Plans interventions using Positive Behavior Supports, Trauma-Informed Care and working with people with forensic issues behavioral needs. 4+ years of experience preferred.
• Ability / experience to provide direct support to individuals and training to other employees
• Ability to work on-location 40 hours per week etc. in residential setting and provide direct care in emergency situations.
• Experience working with substance use, mental health, forensic, etc. preferred.

Responsibilities

• Creates and revises Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), Behavioral Support Plans (BSP) using Positive Behavior Support and Trauma‑Informed Care principles.
• Ensures all behavioral plans and documentation meet regulatory requirements of various state agencies which may include the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDS), Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Department of Public Health (DPH), and Department of Children and Families (DCF).
• Collaborates with psychiatrists and clinical team members to monitor treatment effectiveness, including psychotropic medication outcomes.
• Reviews behavioral data, observes participants and staff, and prepares quarterly and annual behavioral reports for the Planning and Support Team.
• May prepare data summaries and present findings to DDS Program Review Committee (PRC) and Human Rights Committee (HRC).
• Facilitates communication among team members, families, guardians, and Direct Support Professionals to support consistent plan implementation.
• Trains staff and supervisors on behavior plans, data collection, crisis‑prevention strategies, and core behavioral competencies.
• Supports DSPs in developing skills needed to reduce challenging behaviors and promote positive skill acquisition.
• Participates helps to lead team meetings, clinical rounds, and required DDS/PRC reviews; maintains professional development and required certifications.
• Communicates participant‑related concerns to leadership and ensures adherence to agency policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time, Plus Paid Holidays
• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits (Oak Hill funds up to 50% of your medical deductible in an HSA account)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (Oak Hill contributes 9.5% at no cost to you)
• Free and Low-Cost Life Insurance Options and Free Long-term Disability Insurance
• Excellent Professional Development Opportunities; Tuition Reimbursement; Career Pathways
• Staff Recognition and Appreciation
• Paid Training, Education, and Certification as necessary

What This Job Offers

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