Behavior Support Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Behavior Support Specialist - DHS Level II

Location: Springfield, Illinois

Job Type: Full-Time, 1.0 FTE, W2

Work Setting: Residential and community-based services

Schedule: Typically Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility based on client needs

Compensation:

• Current Illinois DHS Level II-approved providers: $68,000-$82,000 annually
• DHS Level II-eligible candidates pending approval: $62,000-$72,000 annually

Compensation is based on DHS approval status, Illinois Medicaid provider enrollment status, relevant experience, and qualifications.

Overview

Avento Health is recruiting a Behavior Support Specialist for a full-time opportunity with a nonprofit developmental disabilities services organization in Springfield, Illinois.

This position is designed for behavioral support professionals who are either currently approved as an Illinois DHS Level II behavior provider or who clearly meet the requirements to obtain Level II approval.

The Behavior Support Specialist will develop behavior support plans, conduct behavioral assessments, train and support direct care staff, and provide hands-on behavioral consultation for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Most services are delivered in individuals' homes, community settings, and residential environments. Providers have access to an office location but should be comfortable working independently across multiple service environments.

There is no set minimum billable-hours requirement , and the position offers flexibility in scheduling based on client needs.

DHS Level II Requirements

Candidates must either:

• Hold a current Illinois DHS Level II behavior provider approval , or
• Clearly meet the qualifications required to obtain DHS Level II approval and be willing to complete the approval process.

Candidates pursuing Level II approval must be able to document the applicable Illinois DHS qualification pathway. For candidates qualifying through the education and experience pathway, this includes:

• A bachelor's degree or higher in a human services field
• A sample behavior support plan the applicant personally designed and/or wrote
• At least 1,500 documented hours of qualifying coursework, training, and/or supervised professional experience in behavior analysis or behaviorally based therapy
• Qualifying supervised experience must be under a BCBA or licensed clinical psychologist

Illinois DHS also recognizes an alternate BACB-based qualification pathway for applicants who meet the state's BACB eligibility documentation requirements.

An offer cannot be finalized for candidates qualifying through the DHS Level II pathway until the required DHS approval letter has been obtained.

Candidates who clearly meet the requirements and are awaiting formal approval may still be considered and interviewed.

Illinois Medicaid Provider Enrollment

Anyone hired into this position will also need to become enrolled as an Illinois Medicaid provider .

Candidates who have already completed or started Illinois Medicaid provider enrollment are strongly preferred, but prior enrollment is not required for consideration.

Support with the enrollment process is typically available after hire.

Responsibilities

• Develop, write, update, and oversee individualized behavior support plans
• Complete behavioral assessments, functional behavior assessments, risk assessments, and related documentation
• Monitor behavioral data and revise intervention strategies as appropriate
• Complete required monthly notes and clinical documentation
• Provide behavioral consultation and guidance to direct care teams
• Train direct support professionals and other staff on individualized behavioral interventions
• Observe implementation of behavior support plans and identify opportunities for additional coaching or retraining
• Collaborate with guardians, residential teams, outside providers, and interdisciplinary team members
• Participate in meetings related to behavioral services and individual treatment needs
• Provide behavioral services in individuals' homes, residential programs, community environments, and other service locations
• Respond to phone-based on-call behavioral needs as required
• Maintain documentation consistent with Illinois DHS, Medicaid, organizational, and professional requirements

Required Qualifications

• Current Illinois DHS Level II behavior provider approval or clear eligibility to obtain Level II approval
• Bachelor's degree or higher in an applicable human services field
• Experience writing behavior support plans
• Experience with behavioral assessment and intervention planning
• Experience providing behavioral consultation or staff support
• Ability to document behavioral services clearly and accurately
• Strong communication and interdisciplinary collaboration skills
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Ability to travel locally between residential and community-based service locations
• Willingness and ability to complete Illinois Medicaid provider enrollment if not already enrolled

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Illinois DHS Level II approval letter
• Current or in-progress Illinois Medicaid provider enrollment
• Experience supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Experience in residential, community-based, or adult disability services
• Experience conducting functional behavior assessments
• Experience training direct support professionals
• Experience working with interdisciplinary treatment teams
• Previous experience working independently across multiple service locations

Skills

• Behavior support planning
• Functional behavior assessment
• Behavioral intervention
• Behavior data collection and analysis
• Staff training and coaching
• Clinical documentation
• Developmental disabilities services
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Community-based behavioral services

Work Environment

Behavior Support Specialists have access to an office location, but much of the work is completed directly in individuals' homes, residential programs, community environments, and during community outings.

This is a hands-on, field-based behavioral services position. The schedule is generally Monday through Friday, with flexibility based on client needs and occasional phone-based on-call responsibilities.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Compensation based on Level II approval status, Medicaid enrollment, and experience
• Candidates who are clearly Level II eligible may be considered while completing the approval process
• No set minimum billable-hours requirement
• Flexible full-time schedule
• Mission-driven work supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Opportunity to work directly with individuals and the teams supporting them
• Comprehensive benefits package

Benefits

• Medical plan options, including PPO, Affordable Care Plan, Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC), and preventive-only coverage
• Dental coverage through Lucent with access to the Aetna dental network
• Vision coverage through EyeMed
• Virtual primary care, virtual mental health, and telemedicine through First Stop Health for employees enrolled in a major medical plan
• 401(k) retirement plan
• At least two weeks of paid time off during the first year of employment
• Eight observed paid holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
• Employer-paid long-term disability and basic life/AD&D coverage for eligible employees after applicable eligibility periods
• Voluntary life/AD&D coverage available through UNUM
• Approved continuing education reimbursement or direct payment for professional-role-related education
• Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel

Benefit eligibility and effective dates vary by plan and employment status.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Avento Health and its client partner are equal opportunity employers and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected status under applicable law.

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