Department

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals

Division

Social/Human Services

Salary

$53,093.00 - $59,394.00

Job Profile

JC-02151300-5 - BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours

Scheduled Hours: 11:00AM - 6:30PM; Monday - Friday; Flexible schedule to meet training, data collection and support needs in a 24/7operation. Occasional weekends required.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Implement behavior support plans for RICLAS, provide staff training, model behavioral interventions, observations, utilization of best practices and treatment modalities and clinical interventions.
• Demonstrated proficiency with data collection, data interpretation and data reporting. Ability to collaborate across an interdisciplinary team.
• Certification in de-escalation and willingness to become a certified de-escalation trainer preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities with co-occurring diagnoses.
• Knowledge of CMS Home and Community Based Services Final Rule, The Olmstead Decision and Division initiatives.
• State-wide travel to all residential sites, off-site meetings, and trainings as needed.
• Job duties include providing direct supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in residential and community-based settings.

Opening Date

January 22, 2026

Closing Date

January 31, 2026

Job Requisition Number

JR100392 BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST (Open)

Pay Grade

C00320 A

Classification

BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Within the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), to utilize a wide range of behavior modification techniques and implement individualized behavior plans in working with individuals with mental illness and/or behavior issues in a hospital setting; monitor and document progress in behavior modification efforts by collecting and charting clinical data as defined by the care

plans; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the close supervision of a professional supervisor from whom specific instructions are received; work is reviewed for technical competence and conformance to instructions, program plans, and established policies and procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: May supervise volunteers.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• Within the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), to utilize a wide range of behavior modification techniques and implement individualized behavior plans in working with individuals with mental illness and/or behavior issues in a hospital setting; monitor and document progress in behavior modification efforts by collecting and charting clinical data as defined by the care plans; and to do related work as required.
• To works with patients with behavior issues to help them adjust better by utilizing a variety of behavior modification techniques.
• To implement and monitor formal behavior plans.
• To monitor progress, collect and chart clinical data to document changes in target behaviors.
• To perform clinical observation in terms of triggers of target behaviors in order to make educated recommendations for individualized behavior modification interventions.
• To engage individual patients or small groups of patients in therapeutic activities.
• To conduct and facilitate patient groups focused on therapeutic activities (e.g., peer support, social skills, anger management, computer skills, horticulture, etc.)
• To attend treatment team meetings, reports on patients' progress, and assist in planning and evaluating clinical goals as defined by care plans.
• To document patients' progress based on collected data and clinical observations.
• To assist in providing in-service training on behavior modification techniques.
• To attend training sessions on mental health issues and behavior modification techniques as required.
• To do related work as required.

REOUIRED OUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGES SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A working knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of learning theory, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology and data collection procedures; the ability to implement detailed, specific behavior treatment plans; the ability to make accurate observations; communicate clearly both verbally and in writing; the ability to document timely and accurately in the medical record; the ability to record and represent data in statistical forms; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Graduation from a college of recognized standing with a Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, social sciences, education, special education, or a closely related field; and

Experience: Minimum of one year experience working in a clinical setting under professional clinical supervision.

Supplemental Information

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Within the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), to utilize a wide range of behavior modification techniques and implement individualized behavior plans in working with individuals with mental illness and/or behavior issues in a hospital setting; monitor and document progress in behavior modification efforts by collecting and charting clinical data as defined by the care plans; and to do related work as required. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the close supervision of a professional supervisor from whom specific instructions are received; work is reviewed for technical competence and conformance to instructions, program plans, and established policies and procedures. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: May supervise volunteers.

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
 

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.