Behavioral Support Specialist

B

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington

Behavioral Support Specialist

Vancouver, WA
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    HELP OUR YOUTH HAVE A GREAT FUTURE!

    Representation Matters! Candidates who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or represent diverse communities are highly encouraged to apply. Our youth deserve to see themselves reflected in our Clubs.

    Mission Statement: 'To empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible community members'.

    Ideal Candidate: Exemplifies our Club Code & Core Values - Put Youth First, Care Deeply and Engage Fully, Follow Through on Commitments, Communicate, Collaborate & Clarify, Empower & Be Empowered

    Full description of our Core Values can be found at the end of this document.

    TITLE : Behavioral Support Specialist

    LOCATION: Vancouver, WA

    REPORTS TO: Associate Director of Youth and Family Services

    DEPARTMENT: Youth and Family Services

    CLASSIFICATION: Hourly Non-Exempt, Full-Time

    MISSION STATEMENT: “To empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible community members.”

    PRIMARY FUNCTIONS: The Behavioral Support Specialist (BSS) will play a crucial role in helping Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington (BGCSW) achieve its vision to integrate access to mental and behavioral health supports within the Club community and provide high-quality after-school opportunities and programs for youth. The BSS will be responsible for embedding a trauma-informed and responsive approach to youth development throughout Clubs. The BSS will utilize a variety of strategies, including direct support of youth and families, program and staff development, increasing access to mental health services, and collaborating with teammates to develop innovative approaches unique to Club environments.

    HEALTH & WELLBEING PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

    • Lead the design and implementation of programs in the Healthy Lifestyles key outcome area and integrate healthy lifestyle strategies into the Club environment (i.e., Mental Health Small Groups, calming spaces, etc.) utilizing BGCA and locally developed resources.
    • Collaborate with the Associate Director of Youth & Family Services, team members, and departments to inform and strengthen programs, practices, and policies to ensure positive, inclusive, trauma-informed youth development programming with an emphasis on social-emotional well-being.
    • Develop systems to maintain consistent, high-quality programs and services that support youth mental health through a trauma-informed, strength-based approach.
    • Facilitate large and small group lessons with youth identified as needing extra support with behavior and/or mental health.
    • Establish program objectives consistent with organizational goals and mission.
    • Conduct program observations to assess methods of support that can be used to set youth up for success in programs.
    • Contribute to the development and implementation of programs, Club-wide initiatives, organizational strategies, policies, and practices pertinent to social and emotional health.
    • Collaborate with staff to identify youth who might benefit from mental health services and assist with case management. Collaborate with staff members to learn and incorporate behavior supports, self-regulation, coping strategies, and social skills into programming.

    RESOURCE COORDINATION & PARTNERSHIPS

    • Engage with parents/guardians to foster positive relationships and resolve issues.
    • Collaborate with schools, administrators, and local community agencies to foster healthy social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health interventions and practices.
    • Provide resources to staff, youth, and families, and make referrals to community resources when appropriate.
    • Communicate and collaborate with schools and other agencies to support Club members' SEL and mental health outcomes.
    • Establish and strengthen partnerships with mental health and social service partners to improve staff training, access to services, and onsite internships for therapist/social work students.
    • Coordinate with Club leadership, community partners, and higher education institutions to schedule, onboard, and support therapy/social work interns.
    • Participate in and report back on weekly Carelon meetings.

    CONSULTATION & TRAINING

    • Provide behavioral guidance to youth and Club staff using conflict-resolution techniques, restorative practices, and problem-solving.
    • Provide one-on-one and group staff development and training opportunities and support to enhance and expand a trauma-informed culture and approach, incorporating behavior supports, self-regulation, restorative practices, and coping skills.
    • Assist youth, families, and staff by providing support during times of crisis by responding with an individualized approach that meets their needs.
    • Collaborate with Club Directors and staff members for behavior and crisis planning, incident response, and referrals to services.
    • Maintain confidentiality and adherence to all privacy expectations and ethical obligations.

    YOUTH & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

    • Provide guidance, affirm positive behavior, and act as a role model to youth.
    • Build and maintain supportive, positive, and effective relationships with youth, families, teammates, and community partners.
    • Engage with youth, families, and staff to increase skills and access to services.
    • Conduct one-on-one check-ins, small groups, family engagement, and referrals to services focused on social skills, self-regulation, coping strategies, behavior supports, and specific needs identified at each location.
    • Create and support youth and family activities that promote mental and behavioral health.

    DATA TRACKING

    • Oversee evaluation activities, including data collection, contracts, and grant activities relating to program evaluation and measurement.
    • Communicate and prepare data collection summary reports and evaluation updates for the Associate Director of Youth & Family Services and Grants Manager.
    • Track Club events and opportunities related to mental health and well-being for grant reporting.
    • Oversee Club tracking related to Healthy Lifestyles outcome area (e.g. food bank order, emergency drills, Mental Health Small Groups, PAX Tools)
    • BEACON tracking - BEACON - tracking for our substance abuse block grant. BSS will complete weekly tracking of their family and community partnerships, trauma-informed approaches, SEL programs, and small groups

    QUALIFICATIONS

    Required:

    • Two years experience performing client-directed services in related fields such as social service, behavioral support services, case management, or prevention with youth living in underserved communities.
    • Bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, human development, or related field.
    • Specialty and/or knowledge in Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing.
    • Understanding of basic youth development principles and developmental characteristics.
    • Clear all required background and security screenings successfully.
    • Must have a valid driver’s license, ability to operate a Club van to transport youth when necessary, and proof of auto insurance.
    • Strong communication and interpersonal skills - written and verbal, and willingness to collaborate with staff, guardians, family members, and volunteers.
    • Ability to engage and build meaningful relationships with program participants and other impacted youth and families in the community.
    • Capacity to understand, relate to, and respect the needs of program participants of diverse ethnic, cultural, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
    • Skilled collaborator with various organizations, including schools, social service agencies, government entities, law enforcement, and grassroots groups.
    • Ability to exercise appropriate judgment regarding information sharing, confidentiality requirements, and human relations.
    • Capability to prepare, research, and implement programming based on evidence and best practices.

    Preferred:

    • Experience working with at-risk youth preferred
    • Familiarity with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington and surrounding communities.

    REQUIRED WORKING CONDITIONS

    • Work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
    • Ability to travel between BGCSW Club locations as needed.
    • Must be able to work in person with youth and families.
    • Must be able to operate a computer to collect and monitor data, maintain records, and generate reports.

    COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

    • $26.44 - $31.25 an hour, depending on experience
    • Mileage reimbursement for use of personal vehicle
    • 12 paid Holidays per year
    • Paid time off accrual beginning at 120 hours annually
    • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Simple Plan (IRA) employer matching program
    • On-going professional development opportunities

    EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

    Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington prohibits discrimination against current staff or applicants on the basis of sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. BGCSW is an equal-opportunity employer.

    Please refer to our website at www.mybgc.org for additional information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington.

    DISCLAIMER

    The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

    CLUB CODE & CORE VALUES

    PUT YOUTH FIRST.

    We are at our best and most impactful when we do right by the youth we serve.

    We make decisions with youth’s well-being at the center. We walk alongside youth and empower them to be the stewards of their path in life. We elevate the voices of kids, youth, families, and the communities who need us most. We examine our own biases and question our own assumptions to best serve youth. We check our ego at the door and think we (the collective effort) before me.

    CARE DEEPLY & ENGAGE FULLY.

    We create impactful change by being fully present, engaged, and invested in contributing to strategy, perspective, and creativity.

    We approach interactions with kindness, compassion, and respect – we genuinely care about people and show it. We are brave and vulnerable and build safe and welcoming communities. We do not gossip. We talk to each other, not about each other. We care about ourselves so that we can be there for others. We strive to do the right thing every day, every time and treat each day as a new day with new opportunities.

    FOLLOW THROUGH ON YOUR COMMITMENTS.

    Strong relationships built on trust drive change. We build trust with youth and families, each other, and the community by delivering on our promises.

    We do what we say we are going to do and are held accountable to established expectations. We take responsibility for knowing the expectations and goals of our role. We don’t over promise to ensure that we are able to deliver on commitments while balancing competing priorities. We take responsibility when we can’t follow through on a commitment. We own our mistakes, act to repair harm, and make amends to strengthen our community.

    COMMUNICATE, COLLABORATE, & CLARIFY.

    Clear and consistent communication builds shared understanding, helps us align in our efforts, and sets ourselves and others up for success in support of youth. We deliver better services and solutions when people’s ideas are valued and heard.

    We set expectations that align with our vision, values, and core focus. We effectively express thoughts, feelings, and ideas in individual and group situations. We listen to understand and value different perspectives. We approach situations with an open mindset, not seeking to be right and go our own path but rather to collaborate and get to the right answer together. We are curious. We seek to understand and communicate the context of situations and information. We ask questions when we need clarity and provide clarity when it is needed from us.

    EMPOWER & BE EMPOWERED.

    Our greatest assets are the unique abilities and perspectives of our people. We represent our interests in a responsible, self-determined way, and push ourselves to make positive change.

    We are resourceful and respond with flexibility to make things work when necessary. We value and seek feedback and see it as an opportunity for growth. We give each other permission to fail and reflect in order to learn from our experiences. We choose courage over comfort by facing difficult tasks and conversations rather than avoiding them. We resolve conflicts as quickly as they arise. We encourage each other and show appreciation for those who go above and beyond.