Behavior Specialist

We are seeking a Behavior Specialist to join our Foster Care & Adoption Program. As a Behavior Specialist, you will Shine Hope as you are responsible for providing services in the Dallas area to work collaboratively with the foster care team and multi-disciplinary team through the licensure and ongoing development of therapeutic foster/adoptive families in the provision of education, training, support, monitoring, assessments, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, counseling and resource referrals. The position will conduct research and assist in developing frameworks and models specific to working with families caring for high acuity children and youth in achieving permanency. You are also responsible for the coordination and implementation of recruitment strategies aimed at recruiting foster and adoptive families interested in providing therapeutic care for children and youth with special needs and promoting community awareness through strong collaborations. Join our team and shine hope in the lives of others! 

What you'll do:

• Participate as a member of the Foster Care team to support the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of foster families through the placement of children and youth.
• Complete ongoing assessments and treatment interventions based psychological and psychiatric evaluations, developmental evaluations, medical conditions, social and trauma history, and consistent observation and interaction with children classified as therapeutic.
• Recruit and develop therapeutic foster homes; participate in public relations assignments directed for purposes of educating the community about resource need within the region of service.
• Participate in regular supervision and support with the client and therapeutic foster parents during frequent home visits, office visits, and telephone contact as is required by state licensing and Buckner policy and procedure.
• Coordinate individual, family and/or support group counseling to foster care clients and/or therapeutic foster parents, and crisis intervention support as required
• Travel as needed to assigned service areas.
• Timely complete accurate and thorough documentation for case files in accordance with Buckner guidelines and procedures in order to meet minimum standards requirements.
• Review clinical assessments and social history to create a treatment approach for children that have higher needs associated with a DSM diagnosis. Work with the foster care team in the development, monitoring, and review of Plan of Service designed to increase strengths, address needs, and reduce conflict in the home. The Plan of Service must also align with the DSM diagnosis. Coordination must also occur with the Multi-Dimensional treatment team (attorneys, CASA, therapist, psychiatrist, CPS, etc.)
• Work with foster parents in coordinating visits with placing agency and/or family for family visits and contact. Assist foster parents with transportation for family visits and other necessary appointments.
• Consult with TDFPS and SSCC staff with recommendations about the selection of foster family resources that best meet the needs of the children, which includes recommendations for support services to maintain the resource.

 What you’ll bring:

• Master’s degree in human services or other related field required.
• Minimum 2 years prior related experience with therapeutic care required. 4 years of experience preferred.
• A Professional license in LPC, LMFT, LMSW, or LCSW is preferred.
• Requires knowledge and understanding of the legalities of child welfare and children in foster care.
• Requires the ability to demonstrate prudent judgment in the placement, treatment, and risk management associated with caring for children with high-risk needs.
• Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal vehicle, with appropriate state license, following all laws applicable; must provide proof of liability insurance and must be eligible to be insured under Buckner’s insurance policy. Must be age 21 or older to drive on behalf of Buckner.
• Requires ability to use up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects and/or people.
• Requires ability to walk, stand and sit, sometimes for prolonged periods of time.

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.