Behavior Intervention Specialist

Behavior Intervention Specialist

Company: Youth Opportunity Investments – Osceola Youth Center
Location: Evart, Michigan
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Operations
Classification: Exempt

About Youth Opportunity & Osceola Youth Center

Youth Opportunity is a nationally recognized leader in residential and behavioral health treatment for youth. We are dedicated to empowering youth through individualized care, education, skill development, and positive relationships.

Osceola Youth Center provides secure, structured, trauma-informed residential care for youth with behavioral support needs. Our team helps youth build stability, develop coping and life skills, and prepare for successful community reintegration.

About the Role

We are seeking a compassionate, skilled Behavior Intervention Specialist to support youth at Osceola Youth Center. This position combines behavioral assessment and intervention planning with hands-on residential care to promote youth safety, well-being, and progress.

Reporting to the Michigan Facility Administrator, the Behavior Intervention Specialist works closely with residential staff, case managers, therapists, teachers, and families to provide consistent behavioral support. This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

If you are passionate about helping youth develop positive behaviors and practical coping skills, please apply today.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) with up to 4% employer match and immediate vesting
• Paid time off and holidays
• Free prescription delivery on most medications
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Supportive, mission-driven work environment

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct functional behavioral assessments to identify the causes and triggers of challenging behaviors.
• Develop and implement individualized behavior intervention plans, monitor progress, document results, and adjust strategies as needed.
• Provide direct behavioral support through de-escalation, crisis intervention, and positive behavior support.
• Assist youth with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and meals, when required.
• Use therapeutic approaches, including DBT, CBT, and coping skills strategies, to promote self-management and emotional regulation.
• Collaborate with residential staff, case managers, therapists, teachers, and families to maintain consistent support.
• Communicate youth progress, behavioral changes, and crisis situations to the care team.
• Advocate for youth rights and best interests.
• Train and coach staff on effective behavior management strategies.
• Ensure the on-the-job training process is completed consistently and thoroughly so new Mental Health Technicians understand their responsibilities and follow policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Educate youth about behavioral health concepts and coping skills.
• Develop proactive strategies to reduce aggression, self-harm, property destruction, and other high-risk behaviors.
• Provide consultation during behavioral crises and participate in post-incident reviews to identify contributing factors and recommend preventive interventions.
• Maintain accurate, timely records of assessments, intervention plans, incidents, and progress.
• Follow applicable licensing standards, accreditation requirements, contractual obligations, professional ethical guidelines, and agency safety protocols.
• Protect youth confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, applicable state requirements, and agency policies.
• Assist with audits, regulatory inspections, accreditation reviews, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Help leadership evaluate behavior management practices and recommend evidence-based improvements.
• Stay current with research, best practices, and regulatory changes in behavioral health and youth residential care.

Other Duties Include

• Maintain a high standard of role model behavior for youth.
• Participate in required training and development activities.
• Report any acts, incidents, or conditions that may indicate inappropriate youth-to-youth or staff-to-youth relationships.
• Report all uses of physical force and unusual incidents according to required guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned or needed.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, criminal justice, juvenile justice, education, or child development preferred.
• Alternatively, an associate’s degree or at least 60 college credit hours in human services, combined with relevant hands-on youth experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of behavioral assessment methods, functional behavioral assessments, and behavior intervention planning.
• Strong understanding of applied behavior analysis principles, positive behavior supports, trauma-informed care, and youth development.
• Ability to analyze behavioral data and translate findings into practical intervention strategies.
• Strong training, coaching, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced treatment environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with youth, families, staff, and community partners.
• Proficiency with electronic health records, behavioral tracking systems, and Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Demands

• Physical and emotional capacity to perform the responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to move throughout the property and participate in youth activities.
• Ability to transport youth or staff.
• Ability to successfully complete the evaluation of physical techniques and written certification examination.

Other Requirements

• Maintain an appropriate, valid state driver’s license.
• Meet state criminal background check requirements.
• Ability to occasionally work irregular hours.

Apply Today

Join a team committed to positive youth outcomes and family engagement. Apply today or visit www.youthopportunity.com/yourfuture to learn more about our mission and career opportunities.

Youth Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity Employer.