Behavioral Support Specialist / Residential Coordinator

SUMMARY:

The Behavioral Support Specialist / Residential Coordinator provides direct behavioral, therapeutic, and skill-building support to youth residing in a T3C Tier I General Residential Operation (GRO), while also coordinating the daily residential care, structure, and supervision that make a safe and stable living environment possible. This dual-focus role blends clinical/behavioral intervention with the hands-on, day-to-day residential coordination that supports each resident's growth.

The position emphasizes trauma-informed, relationship-based, strengths-focused, and developmentally appropriate care. The Behavioral Support Specialist / Residential Coordinator works as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team to promote safety, emotional regulation, healthy relationships, positive behavior change, and successful community transition — while also facilitating the daily schedules, routines, and nurturing environment residents need to thrive.

JOB DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Behavioral Support and Intervention (Primary Function)

• Provide direct behavioral support to residents experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, or adjustment difficulties.
• Implement individualized behavioral interventions identified in each resident's treatment/service plan.
• Assist residents in developing skills related to:

• Emotional regulation
• Anger management
• Impulse control
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Conflict resolution
• Healthy relationships
• Coping skills
• Decision-making
• Accountability

• Use proactive interventions to reduce the frequency and intensity of challenging behaviors.
• Support residents before, during, and following behavioral escalations.
• Model healthy connections, self-management, coping skills, and safe decision-making through consistency and appropriate modeling.

2. Treatment Plan Implementation

• Review and understand each assigned resident's treatment plan, Individualized Service Plan (ISP), safety plan, behavioral support strategies, and applicable clinical recommendations.
• Implement assigned interventions consistently and according to each resident's individualized needs.
• Assist residents with treatment goals, homework, self-regulation, and hygiene plans.
• Communicate changes in behavior, functioning, risk, or treatment needs to the appropriate supervisor or clinical staff.

3. Crisis Prevention and De-escalation

• Utilize approved crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques.
• Recognize early indicators of emotional or behavioral escalation.
• Support residents in utilizing individualized coping and safety strategies.
• Follow the organization's crisis response, suicide/self-harm, aggression, AWOL, and emergency procedures.
• Notify appropriate clinical and supervisory personnel when a resident presents a significant safety concern.
• Adhere to 24-hour awake supervision requirements as scheduled.

4. Trauma-Informed and Relationship-Based Care

• Apply the organization's approved trauma-informed treatment model in all daily interactions with residents.
• Maintain a relational, respectful, and developmentally appropriate approach.
• Recognize the impact of trauma, attachment disruptions, grief, loss, abuse, neglect, and adverse childhood experiences on behavior.
• Avoid unnecessarily punitive or confrontational responses to challenging behavior.
• Promote felt safety, connection, trust, and predictability.
• Model healthy communication, boundaries, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution.
• Facilitate engaging interactions, recreational activities, outings, and social engagement opportunities that build trust and resilience.

5. Residential Coordination and Daily Living Support

• Provide a safe and nurturing living environment for residents.
• Facilitate daily schedules, ensure timely follow-through, and support completion of daily tasks and routines.
• Support creation of nutritious menus, assist with grocery shopping, and supervise meal and snack preparation under the direction of the program coordinator.
• Transport youth to and from school, appointments, extracurricular activities, and outings.
• Dispense medication and maintain accurate medication logs.
• Maintain the living environment by ensuring cleanliness and reporting maintenance needs.
• Maintain regulated and appropriate communication and interaction with residents at all times.

6. Documentation

• Complete required documentation, including:

• Daily progress notes and shift documentation
• Behavioral observations
• Intervention documentation
• Incident reports
• Treatment/service plan updates as assigned
• Behavioral data collection
• Crisis/de-escalation documentation
• Treatment team meeting documentation
• Medication logs
• Document shift experience thoroughly and communicate resident needs with supervisors and other shifts in accordance with licensing standards and agency policy.

7. Professional and Regulatory Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality and protect resident privacy.
• Follow DFPS Minimum Standards and applicable T3C requirements.
• Follow agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain required training and competency requirements.
• Follow mandated reporting requirements.
• Maintain professional boundaries with residents.
• Follow all health, safety, emergency, and supervision requirements.
• Participate in ongoing supervision, training, and professional development.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to support organizational objectives and enhance operational efficiency.