Behavioral Intervention Specialist (26-27 School Year)

Job Description

Job Description

Be Part of Our Movement to Inspire the Next Generation.

Kids in the Game is dedicated to supporting the whole child through our innovative after-school programs. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, understood, and ready to learn, and our Behavioral Intervention Specialists help make that possible by equipping students with coping strategies and equipping our after school teams with the tools to support children’s social-emotional and developmental needs.

WHO WE ARE

Kids in the Game sport and enrichment-based programs can be found in schools and communities across New York City, serving thousands of children every year. Our goal is to provide positive experiences and opportunities through sports and creative play. We inspire kids to embrace new experiences, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and build integrity. Our work is focused on achieving four ultimate impacts:

• Enhancing emotional intelligence
• Creating a positive sense of self
• Developing NYC into the nation’s top talent hub Integrating our communities
• Narrowing the income inequality gaps

Kids in the Game is a Certified B Corporation and we’re committed to doing business for good. We are striving every day to have a positive impact on the lives of our youth, and we believe that it all starts with being the best part of their day.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are hiring a part-time Behavioral Intervention Specialist who possesses the empathy, flexibility, and compassion to provide social-emotional and behavioral support for the 800+ children ages 4–13 in our after school programs. The ideal candidate has an understanding of diverse youth development programs (after school programs, summer camps, sports teams), prior experience providing behavioral and mental health services in an educational or recreation-based setting, and a passion for our mission and values. As a valued member of Kids in the Game, you will be able to help us follow and model our 5 organizational core values through action:

• Positivity: Create an energetic and uplifting environment where kids feel excited to participate.
• Empathy: Show understanding and support for each child’s unique needs and emotions.
• Commitment: Be dependable and deliver consistent, high-quality support.
• Ambition: Strive to continuously improve in your practice and inspire youth to set and achieve personal goals.
• Inclusivity: Ensure every child, regardless of ability or background, feels welcomed and valued.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

The Behavioral Intervention Specialist provides on-site behavioral support and conflict resolution strategies for our after school teams at sites across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. This role is designed for a compassionate, creative problem-solver with a strong background in youth development, social work, and counseling. This is a part-time school year position (September 2026 – June 2027). You can expect to work 3 to 5 days per week from 2:30 – 6:00 PM, spending 80–90% of your week conducting observations and providing on-site support. You’ll build a weekly schedule of school visits in collaboration with the Program Management team.

As a Behavioral Intervention Specialist, you can expect to:

Behavioral Support & Intervention

• Provide on-site direct support for behavioral issues, including 1:1 student meetings and group observations.
• Provide individual and group-based support to address behavioral issues, help students build coping strategies, and understand their developmental needs.
• Work with students on an individual basis as needed to reinforce appropriate choices and create behavioral plans.
• Design and implement behavior support tools for students; model and share them with after school teams.
• Observe and interact with students throughout the week to make sure their needs are being met and they feel comfortable challenging themselves.

Staff Training & Coaching

• Provide scenario-based training to teams to strengthen staff knowledge of positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), mental health practices, and stress management strategies.
• Support Site Directors by answering their questions or concerns regarding children’s behavioral needs or incidents.
• Think outside the box to create new strategies and ideas that equip after school teams to support children’s behavioral and developmental needs.
• Commit to partaking in all required trainings throughout the school year
• Virtual and in person

Collaboration & Communication

• Work alongside Site Directors and the Program Management team to identify appropriate ways to address behavioral or mental health concerns that arise among students.
• Assist Site Directors in preparing parent communications and leading meetings regarding students’ behavioral and social-emotional needs.
• Serve as a key resource for leadership teams in problem-solving student issues and parental concerns.
• Maintain ongoing communication with sites via calls, emails, and internal messages.

Documentation & Safety

• Maintain and file all documentation and incident reports regarding behavioral concerns and plans for students.
• Respond appropriately to injuries, behavioral challenges, or conflicts, following organizational policies.
• Follow all program policies and serve as a positive role model for youth.

Professionalism & Representation

• Arrive prepared, on time, and ready to actively engage with youth and staff.
• Lateness and absences will be tracked through our call out policy
• Excessive tardiness and absences could result in reduced schedules or more
• Be prepared in proper uniform for every day of program.
• Company shirt or sweater (logo visible at all times)
• Sneakers / Close-Toed walking shoes
• No Crocs or sandals
• Uphold the organization’s mission and values both in and out of the program.
• Demonstrate integrity, reliability, and a strong work ethic.

Compensation : This is a part-time, hourly position. We offer competitive hourly rates in the range of $24–28 / hour for Behavioral Intervention Specialists based on experience and educational status.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

At Kids in the Game, you can expect to be welcomed into an engaging and spirited environment that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, open communication, and collaboration. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment where our team members feel respected by and connected to one another. We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and passions of our employees, and we look forward to adding dynamic personalities to our team.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment for all of our employees. We recruit employees from across the city, state, and country, from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We have developed partnerships with organizations that allow us to target our hiring practices to include chronically discriminated against or low-income groups, and improve their access to high-quality employment opportunities.

Requirements

WHAT WE ARE GOING TO LOVE ABOUT YOU

Our ideal candidate would meet some or all of the following qualifications:

• Currently pursuing or have recently completed a Master’s in Social Work, Counseling, or Clinical Psychology.
• Possess 2+ years of experience working in a behavioral/intervention specialist setting with children and adults.
• Advanced knowledge of positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), effective communication, and conflict resolution.
• Able to establish and maintain strong working relationships with fellow employees, participants, parents, and caregivers.
• Communicate in a timely and professional fashion with parents, caregivers, kids, and staff across organization-wide communication channels (Slack, Email, Text, Google Calendar, etc.) and be able to interpret and understand both written and oral instructions.
• Be available 3 to 5 days per week, Monday – Friday, during after school hours (2:30 – 6:00 PM).
• Ability to use public transportation to travel between sites in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx throughout the week.
• Up-to-date physical and tuberculosis test documentation will be required before starting.
• You must pass Federal and NY State background checks and be willing to complete Department of Education fingerprinting prior to starting.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications are a plus.

Physical Requirements & Active Support Expectations

At Kids in the Game, our staff are active, engaged, and present with kids—on the playground, in the gym, and out in the community. The physical requirements below reflect the essential functions of this role and the dynamic environments in which our programs take place. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities in performing these essential functions.

This role involves traveling between multiple program sites and providing active, hands-on support to students and staff in a variety of settings.

Active supervision & physical requirements include:

1. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time, including during site observations, playground supervision, gym activities, or park-based programming.
2. Ability to travel between program sites across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx using public transportation.
3. Ability to walk to and from nearby program locations or parks, sometimes several blocks, while supporting staff and children.
4. Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, and reach to engage with children at their level and provide support as needed.
5. Ability to climb stairs in school buildings or community facilities.
6. Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, or light rain, depending on program needs.
7. Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness to observe and support children effectively and ensure safety in active environments.