Behavioral Support Specialist

By joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact?

Join us - and work with purpose!

POSITION BENEFITS

• Team-Oriented, Multidisciplinary Approach
• Ongoing, High-Level Learning and Development Opportunities
• Culturally Diverse Environment
• Joint Commission Accredited Organization
• Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet)
• Retirement Savings Plan: 403(b) - With Employer Match Up To 3%
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)
• Wellness Programs
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement or Assistance For Continuing Education
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Recognition Program
• Opportunities For Career Advancement
• May Be Eligible For State or Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs For Work With Underserved Populations

SUMMARY

The Behavioral Support Specialist is responsible for providing active supervision, behavioral coaching, and therapeutic support to youth in both residential and school settings. This includes supporting daily routines, transitions, classroom engagement, and participation in structured activities while maintaining a safe and predictable environment. The role involves implementing individualized behavior support plans developed by clinical and behavioral teams, using trauma-informed and strength-based approaches to guide youth toward positive behavioral outcomes. Staff provide de-escalation and crisis intervention using approved techniques, support emotional regulation, and help youth build coping and problem-solving skills.


In both residential and academic settings, the Behavioral Support Specialist assists youth with daily living skills, classroom participation, and engagement in therapeutic and educational activities. The position supports consistency of expectations across environments and helps ensure smooth transitions throughout the day. This role is also responsible for observing, documenting, and communicating behavioral incidents, interventions, and progress in a timely and accurate manner. Staff collect behavioral data, complete required documentation including shift notes and incident reports, and communicate relevant information to supervisors, clinicians, and educational staff to support ongoing treatment planning.


The Behavioral Support Specialist collaborates closely with multidisciplinary team members to ensure coordinated care, participates in team meetings as needed, and contributes to a unified approach to supporting each youth's treatment goals. The role requires consistent professional communication, strong teamwork, and the ability to respond effectively in high-stress or crisis situations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Mentorship:

• Serve as a role model and mentor for other aides, offering guidance, coaching, and feedback.
• Assist in training new Behavioral Support Specialist on policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Facilitate communication between aides and classroom teachers to ensure consistent support for students.
• Lead or co-lead groups as assigned.

Documentation and Communication:

• Record and maintain accurate data related to youth/student behavior/academic progress.
• Communicate regularly with multidisciplinary team members surrounding progress.
• Participate in team meetings and provide insights to develop effective youth interventions.

Crisis Intervention:

• Respond promptly and effectively to behavioral crises, following school protocols and utilizing de-escalation strategies.
• Assist in implementing Safe and Positive Approaches (SPA) techniques when necessary.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with teachers, therapists, and other staff to create a supportive environment tailored to each youth's needs.
• Support residential and classroom management by reinforcing directives and maintaining a positive atmosphere.
• Attend any required meetings and trainings, as assigned.

Professional Development:

• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Stay current on best practices including trauma-informed care and inclusive teaching strategies.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development as required by the San Diego Center for Children.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Perform additional responsibilities to support the San Diego Center for Children's goals and ensure the safety and well-being of youth.

On The Job Mandatory Ongoing Trainings:

• Maintain all certifications and licenses required for the role, ensuring they remain current.
• Complete and stay up-to-date with all mandatory trainings as specified by the San Diego Center for Children, including but not limited to: Residential Counselor Training, Intervention Toolbox, CPR and First Aid Certification S.P.A. Certification, False Claims, HIPAA, Safety, Trauma Informed Care, Annual Block Trainings and other trainings, as assigned.

Restraint and Safety Training Requirements:

• Must pass a two-day SPA training that focuses on safely initiating a physical hold with youth presenting as a danger to themselves or others.
• It is recommended that staff be able to support up to 50 pounds.

Apply Safe and Positive Approaches (SPA) restraint techniques, which may involve:

• Lifting or holding a child in standing, sitting, or ground-level positions.
• Separating clients who are acting in an unsafe manner to ensure the safety of both clients and staff.
• Prolonged standing, bending, and transitioning youth from standing to a seated position.

Behavioral and Emotional Challenges:

• Due to the emotional instability of the clients, the employee may be subjected to physical aggression, including but not limited to: Kicking, hitting, punching, biting, and hair pulling.
• Vision Requirements: Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Pandemic Conditions:

• Must be able to perform job duties during a pandemic (e.g., COVID-19).

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, Stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk and hear. Frequently run, walk, sit, and drive a vehicle. Move and/or lift a child when clinically necessary and follow a child who is attempting to elope, either by walking or running at a comparable pace.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The San Diego Center for Children is committed to:

• Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organization
• Ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices and services and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect
• Encourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serve.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma
• Experience working with transition-age youth in a coaching, mentoring, or educational role
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Valid California Driver's License or California ID and Reliable Transportation
• Must be 21 years of age or older

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in psychology, social work, education, or a related field (or equivalent experience working in the mental health field)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices, such as Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, or Positive Youth Development
• Experience working with special education populations or youth with behavioral/emotional challenges