BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST - F/C - 60046377

Requisition No: 879074

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST - F/C - 60046377

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60046377

Salary: $2,232.34 - $2,349.83 Bi-weekly

Posting Closing Date: 10/18/2026

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The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) isthe state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

Florida State Hospital (FSH) is a mental health treatment facility owned and operated by the State of Florida and is part of the Department of Children and Families. The department’s mission is to “work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.”

FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

THIS ADVERTISEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES IN CIVIL AND FORENSIC SERVICES.

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as Behavioral Specialist – F/C within Psychology Services. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

• This position requires lifting, pulling and squatting. Duties of this position require the incumbent to be knowledgeable of utilize the principles of Total Quality Management. This is professional work in the performance of Clinical Psychological Services including treatment, research, and consultation with unit treatment staff. The position provides masters level psychotherapeutic and psychodiagnostics services as directed to residents in the facility under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
• Performs intake interviews and reviews collateral data in order to make diagnoses, to assess residents' level of mental and behavioral functioning, and to make treatment recommendations.
• Performs clinical/legal evaluations as required by committing courts, combining data from observation, interviews, assessments, and consultations to produce comprehensive written reports.
• Administers and interprets comprehensive diagnostic test batteries in order to assess the resident's current level of functioning and potential for improvement.
• Conducts individual crisis intervention, consulting with both professional and non-professional staff members regarding behavioral problems of residents. Prepares clinical summaries on residents and participates in general staff conferences.
• Follows and carries out FSH/Unit/Department Safety Practices, Policies and Procedures.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:

• Knowledge of the theories and principles of clinical, counseling or behavioral psychology.
• Knowledge of psychological testing principles and practices.
• Ability to administer and interpret psychological tests.
• Ability to prepare psychological reports.
• Ability to analyze and interpret psychological data.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling or psychology; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling or psychology; LMHC, MFT, or LCSW.

Preference will be given to applicants who have:

• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling or clinical psychology.
• Training and experience delivering mental health assessment and treatment to persons with severe and persistent mental illness with criminal justice system involvement

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety:

• Include the supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities, as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of responding to qualifying questions and entering work history.
• If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at View phone number on aiapply.co.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.
• For a more complete list of benefits, visit

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire . For more information, please visit the SSS website:

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center View phone number on aiapply.co). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.