Behavior Specialist

• Paid time off
• Training & development
• 401(k)
• Competitive salary
• Employee discounts
• Flexible schedule

Classification:
Full-Time, Salaried

Professional Level: Behavior Specialist – Advanced Program Support

This is a professional-level position responsible for direct behavioral services, assigned caseload management, behavioral consultation, staff coaching, team training, program observation, documentation, and collaboration with Neuroaffirming Program Specialists. Candidates are expected to enter the position with demonstrated experience supporting neurodivergent individuals and/or individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals with more complex behavioral support needs. Compensation within the established range will be determined by relevant education, years of experience, specialized behavioral training, leadership and staff-development experience, and applicable professional credentials.

The Behavior Specialist is responsible for providing direct behavioral support, consultation, staff development, and program guidance to strengthen the quality of services provided by LEAPS Services. This is a hands‑on position. The Behavior Specialist will maintain an assigned caseload and is expected to work directly with self‑advocates across the LEAPS Hub, community settings, vocational programming, social programming, camps, and other service environments as appropriate.

The Behavior Specialist works collaboratively with Neuroaffirming Program Specialists, Inclusion Assistants, Program Leadership, families, caregivers, and other members of the support team. The position is designed to strengthen the newly restructured Specialist model by providing additional expertise in understanding behavior, identifying support needs, developing practical strategies, and helping team members implement those strategies consistently. The Behavior Specialist is also responsible for developing and facilitating team training.

Training should be based on the actual needs observed within LEAPS programs and should provide staff with practical strategies they can apply during everyday interactions with self‑advocates.

LEAPS uses a neuroaffirming, person-centered approach. Behavioral support should focus on understanding the function and context of behavior, strengthening communication and self‑advocacy, teaching meaningful replacement skills, increasing independence, and creating supportive environments rather than relying solely on compliance-based approaches.

The Behavior Specialist will maintain an assigned caseload of self‑advocates requiring behavioral support, consultation, skill development, or additional program oversight. Caseload responsibilities include becoming familiar with each self‑advocate's goals, strengths, communication style, support needs, known triggers, environmental considerations, and current strategies.

The Behavior Specialist will be expected to:

• Work directly with assigned self‑advocates on a consistent basis.
• Conduct observations within natural environments, including the Hub and community.
• Identify behavioral patterns and potential contributing factors.
• Assess environmental, communication, sensory, social, and skill‑based needs that may influence behavior.
• Develop individualized behavioral strategies and support recommendations.
• Model strategies directly with the self‑advocate before expecting staff to independently implement them.
• Monitor whether strategies are effective and make adjustments when necessary.
• Maintain appropriate documentation regarding observations, interventions, recommendations, and progress.
• Participate in family/caregiver communication when behavioral consultation or collaboration is…