Behavioral Specialist, South County Academy

Position Details

Location:

South County Academy, Exeter, RI 02822. Position Type:
Full‑Time/Part‑Time. Education Level: 4‑Year Degree. Salary Range: $25.74–$32.00 hourly. Travel:
Up to 25% of time. Shift: Any.

Provide guidance, support, and supervision to adolescents ages 13‑18 in a school and residential setting. Utilize a trauma‑informed approach implementing and maintaining Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and other evidence‑based models of treatment. Assist each student in making decisions about daily life, conduct, and discipline within agency and program policies and contractual requirements with the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Facilitate and engage youth in programming including arts & crafts, sporting activities, horticultural groups, life skills groups, etc.,

in the classroom, residential dorm, or during recreational activities to promote safety, well‑being, self‑expression, learning, and positive decision‑making.

• Provide guidance, support, and supervision to adolescents ages 13‑18 in a school and residential setting.
• Implement a trauma‑informed approach using Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and other evidence‑based treatment models.
• Assist students with decision‑making regarding daily life, conduct, and discipline, ensuring alignment with agency policies and contractual obligations.
• Facilitate and engage youth in arts & crafts, sporting activities, horticultural groups, life skills groups, and other programs that promote safety, well‑being, self‑expression, learning, and positive decision‑making.

• Bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy or significant therapeutic recreation experience in a residential setting.
• Willingness and capability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic issues.
• Excellent communication skills and a team‑oriented mindset.
• Capability to implement appropriate child management techniques, which may include the use of passive physical restraint.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, registration, inspection, and driving record, with a vehicle that has a minimum of three seats in addition to the driver’s seat.
• Employees may be scheduled to work shifts less than three hours in any workday to attend required staff meetings, which are agreed to in advance by the parties.
• Bilingual/ASL skills are compensated by an additional 6% above base pay.
• Multilingual skills are compensated by an additional 8% above base pay.

• Travel to and from community locations, FSRI main sites, and the school/residential location, which may include walkways, stairs, and/or elevators.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to push or pull 10 lbs. or more.
• Ability to perform restraint techniques if needed and work with physically aggressive students.

Comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and work‑life benefits.

Up to 25% travel. Shift duty may require any shift, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Family Service of Rhode Island provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or covered veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.