Adolescent Behavioral Specialist I

Job Description

Job Description

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  The work involved is responsible for motivation and mentorship for youth ages seven through seventeen years of age.  The incumbent provides mentorship to students at risk of failing school or at risk of out-of-home placement, experiencing conflict and working with disruptive behavior of youth.  The work is performed under direct supervision from the Adolescent Behavioral Coordinator and administrative supervision from the Commissioner of Social Services or his/her designee.  Does related worked as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES :

• Provides motivational instructions for students experiencing dysfunctional behaviors in school, the community and/or at home.
• Provides mentorship to youth experiencing conflict.
• Work with youth and their parents, where the youth are at risk for committing juvenile offences or have been charged and with youth who are considered to be a person in need of supervision.
• Conducts instruction on teaching teamwork, discipline, life skills, academic achievement, drug education and intervention.
• Answer on-call phone and respond to school and parent requests for intervention.
• Travel to student’s home or school.
• Provide supervision of dysfunctional behavior in a school setting and provide feedback regarding progress and behaviors of the child to school personnel and to the parents of the students.
• Provide support and assistance to the Coordinator.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Working knowledge of the interests, attitudes and behavior patterns of children and adolescents; Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with disturbed adolescents; Ability to maintain records and make oral and written reports; good judgement, tact, courtesy and integrity.

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education and two (2) years of full-time paid experience working with children having dysfunctional behaviors.

NOTE: Military experience or possession of a degree in criminal justice, behavioral science, social work, education or related field may be substituted on a year for year basis as defined above.

NOTE: Part-time or volunteer experience as defined in A above will be prorated.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT AND CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT : Possession of a valid NYS Operator’s License.

NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.  If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency.  A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the internet at You must pay the required evaluation fee.

Special Requirements for Appointment: Successful completion of a background investigation will be required prior to appointment.*

* Special requirements apply to an appointment made in the Child Support Unit within the Department of Social Services.

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or marital status.

Non-competitive