Director of Behavior Support

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Behavior Supports is responsible for the strategic leadership, clinical oversight, and regulatory compliance of behavioral support services across all IDD programs, including Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs), Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs), and Day Habilitation programs. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality, person-centered behavioral supports that align with OPWDD, doh, and CMS regulations, and promotes the health, safety, and dignity of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (List the functions that are essential to achieve the goals):

Leadership & Supervision

• Provide direct supervision to the Assistant Director of Clinical Services and the Behavior Intervention Specialists (BIS), QIDPs, and other clinical staff.
• Lead the development and implementation of behavior support strategies and clinical protocols.
• Chair the Human Rights and Informed Consent Committees; ensure ethical and rights-based practices in all behavioral interventions.
• Serve as a key member of the ICF/IRA management team and contribute to strategic planning and policy development.

Clinical Oversight & Collaboration

• Ensure the development, implementation, and monitoring of Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) and Functional Behavior Assessment (FBAs)
• Oversee clinical documentation and data collection systems to ensue accuracy, timeliness and compliance.
• Collaborate with psychiatric, medical and nursing teams to integrate behavioral and medical care.
• Works in tandem with the Residential managers and the Director of Community Services to ensure clinical services and behavioral protocols are being implemented.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and intake screenings for new admissions.
• Liaise with Care Coordination organizations to ensure person centered services and accurate documentation.
• Onsite presence on units and in day habilitation programs for observations, oversight, modeling, coaching, and training.

Training & Development

• Design and deliver ongoing training for clinical and direct staff on behavior support practices, data collection, and regulatory compliance.
• Mentor clinical staff in evidence-based practices and person planning.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with OPWDD and DOH regulations and CARF standards related to behavioral supports.
• Lead internal audits and prepare responses to external audits and surveys.
• Develop and implement systems to ensure clinical regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with the management team to analyze trends and implement corrective actions.

Crisis Management

• Provide on-call support for behavioral crises during evenings and weekends.
• Develop and oversee crisis intervention protocols and staff debriefing procedures.

Other Duties

• Provide coverage in the absence.
• Other duties, as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Leadership and team management.
• Clinical decision-making and problem-solving.
• Regulatory knowledge and compliance.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Commitment to person-centered practices.
• Cultural competence and ethical practice.

EDUCATIONAL/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, applied behavioral analysis, or a related human services field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:  

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in behavioral supports within IDD services.
• At least 2 years in a supervisory of leadership role.
• Experience working in ICF or IRA settings preferred.
• Must meet OPWDD qualifications for both QIDP and BIS roles.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Strong computer skills are required, The ability to use Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are critical. The knowledge or ability to learn software programs including use of data and trends to inform clinical practice.  

VISIUAL AND MANUAL DEXIERITY:

• The visual and manual dexterity needed for this position include the ability to work on the computer typing reports and reviewing charts. There is also the need to speak frequently on the telephone including a cellular phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• The position requires the ability to travel from site to site to make program visits. There is walking in the residential programs up and down stairs and at times the ability to lift a social service chart/file.

Who we are:

The Jewish Board delivers innovative, high-quality, and compassionate mental health and social services to over 45,000 New Yorkers each year. We are unique in serving everyone from infants and their families to children, teens, and adults. We are proud to employ and serve people of all religions, races, cultural backgrounds, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. We are committed to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive teams to help support our mission, and we strongly encourage candidates from historically marginalized backgrounds to apply to work with us.

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