LEAD BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for the active supervision, safety, care, and treatment-plan implementation of

all clients assigned to his/her supervision. Serves as an experienced role model and

resource for Behavioral Specialists and provides guidance regarding client supervision,

daily routines, therapeutic interventions, safety procedures, documentation, and

immediate shift responsibilities. Working as part of the interdisciplinary pod team, the

Lead Behavioral Specialist helps translate treatment plans, safety plans, DBT skills,

Sanctuary commitments, and Hillside’s philosophy of service and treatment into

consistent daily residential practice. The Lead Behavioral Specialist is responsible for

implementing and maintaining Hillside’s standards for safe, therapeutic, developmentally

appropriate, and trauma-responsive residential care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Client Supervision: Provide active supervision of assigned clients and maintain required precautions, safety plans, checks, headcounts, and staff assignments.

B. Shift Leadership: Assist with organizing shift assignments, routines, activities, transitions, appointments, and immediate operational priorities. Provide brief lead-level coordination during urgent situations.

C. Staff Guidance: Serve as a role model and resource for Behavioral Specialists by providing immediate direction, coaching, clarification, and support. Assist with orienting new staff and communicate performance or training concerns to leadership.

D. Therapeutic Milieu: Promote a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment grounded in Sanctuary principles, DBT-informed practices, client voice, open communication, accountability, growth, and change.

E. Treatment Implementation: Implement treatment plans, safety plans, precautions, behavioral strategies, and interdisciplinary recommendations. Communicate meaningful client observations to the treatment team.

F. Daily Programming: Ensure cottage and pod schedules are followed. Lead or participate in therapeutic, psychoeducational, recreational, skills-based, school, and daily living activities.

G. Client Care: Monitor client health, hygiene, nutrition, sleep, clothing, belongings, and overall well-being. Teach and reinforce daily living, emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, and social skills.

H. Crisis Intervention: Use prevention, de-escalation, relational support, DBT skills, and approved interventions to maintain safety. Participate in Emergency Safety Interventions only when necessary and in accordance with policy and training.

I. Documentation and Reporting: Complete required documentation accurately and timely. Immediately report abuse, neglect, client-rights concerns, serious injuries, unsafe practices, and other reportable events through established pathways.

J. Communication and Collaboration: Maintain timely communication with residential leadership, Nursing, Education, families, guardians, caseworkers, and other authorized team members regarding significant client, staffing, safety, or operational concerns.

K. Transportation and Transitions: Support appointments, school, home passes, family contact, court hearings, community activities, admissions, discharges, and other authorized transitions. Transport clients when assigned.

L. Safety and Compliance: Follow Hillside policies, licensing standards, confidentiality requirements, emergency procedures, client-rights expectations, accessibility requirements, and safe work practices.

M. Training and Development: Complete required training and participate in supervision, staff meetings, coaching, and professional development activities. Demonstrate knowledge of child and adolescent development and behavioral health needs.

N. Coverage and Support: Provide Behavioral Specialist coverage and direct milieu support as needed to maintain required supervision and safety.

O. Additional Duties: Perform other duties assigned with professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to Hillside’s mission.

GENERAL COMPETENCIES:

Customer Focus

1. Promote positive image of Hillside with all contacts (customers)
2. Actively listen to fully understand the issue and/or situation
3. Contribute to development of a culture of care and safety

           Teamwork

1. Take the initiative to act on own and work with a team
2. Demonstrate respect, collaboration, and commitment
3. Be a productive member of the staff

           Communication

1. Communicate effectively, clearly, and appropriately
2. Make use of supervision and feedback
3. Use excellent judgment

            Sanctuary

1. Consistently applySanctuary Commitments in all daily interactions and decision-making.
2. Contribute to maintaining a culture aligned in Sanctuary principles for staff, clients, and families. 
3. Utilize Sanctuary tools to support a trauma-informed, safe, and collaborative work environment.

           JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

A. Professional and Operational Leadership:Represents Hillside professionally and coordinates campus needs, established processes, and available resources to support safe and effective operations.

B. Safety and Wellness:Promotes an environment that supports clients’ physical and emotional safety, health, development, and well-being. Identifies risks and initiates appropriate safeguards or follow-up.

C. Judgment and Decision-Making:Evaluates available information, considers risks and operational impact, and selects appropriate action or escalation within delegated authority.

D. Quality and Accountability:Reviews documentation and operational information, identifies inconsistencies and recurring concerns, and follows assigned matters through resolution, escalation, or formal transfer.

E. Staff Guidance and Equitable Practice:Provides clear instruction, coaching, and support while coordinating assignments, breaks, coverage, and accountability fairly and consistently.

F. Communication and Collaboration:Communicates clearly across pods, shifts, and departments and uses established handoff, supervision, and escalation pathways.

G. Cultural Responsiveness and Client Empowerment:Maintains an inclusive, respectful, and culturally responsive environment that supports client voice, choice,participation, and leadership within appropriate treatment and safety expectations.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

                               BS/BA degree preferred.

One to two years of work in a residential, direct-care setting with degree.

Two to three years without a degree. 

           PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

                                    Must submit to an annual physical exam and be able to meet the following requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times
• Able to withstand long periods of sitting, standing, walking or taking part in physical exercise programming on a recurring basis
• Be highly alert with very quick reflexes to respond to emergency situations with clients
• Tasks may require exposure to blood and/or bodily fluids.

           WORK SCHEDULE:

                  Schedule varies according to business needs. Weekends, evenings, and work on holidays are requ.ired.