TITLE: Behavioral Health Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Behavioral Health/Programming
REPORTS TO: Unit Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY: The Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) is responsible for supporting social and emotional learning, resilience, and coping skills for club members, families, and staff. This happens primarily within the Boys & Girls Club context but may also include other community settings and mental health counseling techniques when appropriate. The BHS with the Behavioral Health Coordinator to identify and implement additional resources into the club environment to support the overall well-being of club members, as well as community resources to aid their families. For club staff, the BHS will identify and implement opportunities for professional development to support their efficacy in promoting healthy and supportive activity environments as well as desired outcomes for club members.
Core Values
Our team strives to embody the principles of being an Ideal Team Player, demonstrating the characteristics of Humble, Hungry, and Smart in all that we do.
Humble
We prioritize the mission and the needs of others, value teamwork over recognition, welcome feedback, and respect the perspectives of others.
Hungry
We bring initiative, strong work ethic, and accountability to our roles, consistently seeking ways to improve programs and outcomes for youth.
Smart (People Smart)
We practice emotional intelligence by communicating clearly, listening well, building positive relationships, and resolving challenges respectfully.
Mission-Minded
We remain committed to creating safe, supportive, and empowering environments where youth can grow, lead, and succeed.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Knowledge, Education, Experience & Skills
Knowledge: Childhood moral, physical, and mental development models and stages
The effects of childhood trauma on behavior, approach needs, and risk
Education: Bachelor's Degree in psychology-related fields
Pursuing a graduate degree in counseling or social work related fields is preferred. *perfect opportunity for meeting practicum/internship requirements*
Experience:
- Experience communicating with, leading, and designing activities for school-age youth (6-18 years)
- Working with youth and their existing skills to build success into their daily experiences
Skills:
- Identify areas of potential growth or necessary development and generate ideas to meet those needs
- Present, support, and consistently represent a trauma-informed, child-development perspective in a team setting
- Ease in building trust and rapport with youth, adolescents, and adults
- Secondary-trauma coping
- Mindfulness, self-awareness, and the ability to model those
KEY ROLES Duties and Competency Areas:
- Build relationships with club youth and staff that are based on trust, growth, and respect for abilities and needs
- Identify certain youth in the club that will require a specific approach to better their days and to relieve the stress that their needs have on the staff, within the expectations of the club environment, and provide training and support to facilitate these goals
- Identify certain staff in the club that need extra support in leading their activities with mental and behavioral health in mind and conduct training or develop strategies with them to meet their needs
- Present small, relevant mental and behavioral health material to the leadership team to inform the overall club approach
- Develop and present general training to staff to guide them in understanding helpful versus harmful approaches to behavioral health needs of the club youth in their charge, within the expectations of the club environment
- Be vigilant in preparing for and meeting the crisis and safety needs of club youth and staff on a daily basis
- Coordinate efforts between supervisors, staff, guardians, and club youth to develop behavioral plans or in-activity approaches for club youth who continuously struggle to have positive experiences
- Model and teach best practices in de-escalation, mindfulness, support, and crisis intervention
- Maintain the order, stocking, and use of the calming corners at each club site
The above roles should sum into a multi-modal approach to support an overarching desire and strategy of improving the success and happiness of the club youth’s experiences in the club and in their future overall health that reflects the club’s attitude of championing childhood and the potential for growth, resiliency, and self-awareness there within
ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Supervisory Responsibilities – No direct responsibilities
Opportunity to eventually lead other BH coordinators in efforts of consistency and information sharing across all club sites
Budget Responsibilities - None
Relationships
Internal:
- Develop trust-based relationships and expectations for working with members in all situations.
- Development of strong collaborative relationships with staff and volunteers to ensure openness and strong communication around serving members well.
- Work with the executive team to inform the development of policy and procedures for the organization.
External:
- Work with current and potential community partners to form a stronger safety net for our members and community youth as a whole.
- Work with school districts to look for areas of collaboration for better youth outcomes.
Other
ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work directly with staff and youth when members are present for a better daily Club experience in the club site’s classrooms and activity spaces.
Workspace includes an office for confidential meetings and information, calming corners at each club site, as well as classroom and activity spaces during member hours
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
May involve lifting or mild physical activity
Ability to restrict countertransference of your internal needs onto staff or club youth in a high-stress environment.
Ability to manage secondary-trauma in a healthful way
Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
Medical Specialty:
Schedule:
- 4 hour shift
- After school
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Shift availability:
Work Location: In person
