Behavioral Specialist - ORR in Victorville, California at Greater Hope Foundation for Children Inc.

Under general supervision, the Behavioral Specialist provides direct support, guidance, and intervention to promote the emotional, behavioral, and social well-being of unaccompanied children (UC) in care under the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) program.

This position plays a vital role in implementing trauma-informed behavior management strategies, developing individualized behavior support plans, and assisting youth in developing healthy coping skills. Working under the supervision of the Lead Clinician, the Behavioral Specialist collaborates closely with case managers, youth care workers, and education staff to ensure a consistent and supportive environment that meets the unique needs of each child.

The Behavioral Specialist serves as a bridge between clinical and direct care teams to maintain safety, stability, and therapeutic engagement throughout the youth’s stay in care.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Observe and assess youth behavior to identify triggers, risk factors, and areas for skill-building.
• Develop and implement individualized Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) in collaboration with clinical and youth care teams.
• Provide direct behavioral interventions to help youth manage emotions, regulate behavior, and improve social functioning.
• Utilize trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approaches in all interactions.
• Support youth in developing coping mechanisms, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation strategies.
• Respond calmly and effectively to behavioral crises, following agency Crisis Intervention and De-escalation protocols.
• Assist staff in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment that encourages positive behavior and engagement.
• Work closely with clinicians, case managers, and youth care workers to ensure coordinated behavioral support.
• Participate in case staffing and multidisciplinary meetings to provide behavioral observations and recommendations.
• Provide coaching, modeling, and consultation to youth care staff regarding behavior management techniques and trauma-informed practices.
• Communicate effectively with all staff regarding behavior support plans, risk assessments, and youth progress.
• Assist with training and ongoing education for staff on behavioral intervention strategies.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of behavioral observations, interventions, and outcomes.
• Complete incident and progress reports in accordance with ORR, agency, and state licensing requirements.
• Ensure all behavioral plans and interventions align with ORR standards, professional ethics, and trauma-informed best practices.
• Participate in program audits, compliance reviews, and staff meetings as needed.
• Facilitate structured skill-building sessions or group activities focused on emotional regulation, communication, and social skills.
• Model and reinforce positive behaviors through consistent interaction and supportive feedback.
• Encourage youth participation in recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities that build confidence and resilience.
• Support transition or discharge planning by preparing youth for reunification or independent living environments.
• Participate in and provide support groups and classes to the community and clients of the agency. (based on position)
• Maintain a welcoming environment for families and other community partners.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA and PII privacy and security requirements.
• As with all of our positions, we work as a team and various duties may be assigned at any time including tasks to support other AGH programs/services, cleaning, organizing, child care, attending to the needs of the child in your care or in the office, attendance at meetings, transportation, paperwork, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Reporting To: Lead Clinician

Hiring Rate of Pay: $25.96 per hour

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, education, or related behavioral science field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with youth in behavioral health, residential care, foster care, or similar settings.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and positive behavior support strategies.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in stressful or crisis situations.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Be able to obtain Criminal and Child Abuse Clearance from the State of California/Department of Justice.
• Must be available full-time and able to adjust work day/work week to provide services when clients and families need them, which can routinely include evenings and occasionally weekends, in order to ensure coordination and continuity of services. OR. Must be available to work nights, weekends and some holidays as needed Dependent on position - Option 1 for direct care. Option 2 for non-direct care.
• Demonstrate the Understanding of the importance of compliance with HIPAA privacy practices.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, strong conflict resolution, communication and organizational skills; with great attention to detail.
• Ability to adhere to our attendance and punctuality policy.
• Must pass and remain current in CPR/First Aid.
• Must be able to effectively utilize computers and basic computer software.
• Must meet Licensing (or contract if not FFA position) and insurance requirements.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and a good driving record. Must be at least 18 years old with at least 2 years of driving experience.
• A Greater Hope includes all employees in the DMV pull notification process, notifying AGH of infractions throughout the process.
• All Employees are required to report all arrests within 48 hours of arrest as per Licensing requirements.
• Must pass a drug screen, physical exam, and Tuberculosis skin test.
• A Greater Hope participates in E-Verify and will verify your Social Security Number.
• Foster Family Agency experience preferred. (if applicable)
• Bi-lingual Spanish preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, move quickly, run, use hands, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste or smell. There are physical demands associated with this position. The employee must also be able to remain in a seated position while working in the office. Employees may be required to and must often lift or carry items 10-50 lbs., usually holding it in the hands or arms or on the shoulder. There may be situations where the employee will have to care for the personal needs of infants and children such as managing personal accidents/bathroom support, feeding and, cleaning up infants and children. The employee may be working outside for periods of time in all seasons of weather.

Employees will be required to drive a motor vehicle.

This position requires regular and consistent attendance, excessive unplanned absences are disruptive to our Agency business.

All employees, regardless of position, serve as role models for children, adolescents and others who are served by our agency. Therefore, each employee must at all times be emotionally stable and able to function effectively with children, adolescents and adults who may have mental or behavioral health problems. The staff must be able to demonstrate appropriate daily behavior, appropriate expression of emotions, as well as appropriate role modeling. Hostility, aggression and unnecessary or inappropriate physical actions as well as inappropriate emotional expression are not acceptable.