Behavior Specialist III

About the role

The position emphasizes therapeutic intervention, safety, and community stability. In this capacity, you will own the implementation of high-intensity, community-based support plans designed to stabilize adult consumers with complex needs. You will act as a critical clinical resource, de-escalating high-risk situations while simultaneously teaching and reinforcing adaptive skills in real-time environments. The role requires a deep commitment to harm reduction, ensuring that every interaction builds trust and moves the consumer toward their stated goals. You will be responsible for maintaining rigorous documentation that reflects the intensity and effectiveness of your interventions. Success in this position means partnering with the consumer to build a life of stability, rather than simply managing crisis. You will function as a consistent, reliable presence that helps bridge the gap between intensive clinical support and independent living. Ultimately, this job is about fostering long-term change and safety through persistent, structured, and compassionate support.

Key facts

What you'll do

Conduct comprehensive behavioral assessments in community settings to identify immediate risks and long-term goals for the consumer.

Deliver individualized, side-by-side intervention that teaches problem-solving ability, skills training, and modeling to help consumers respond effectively to treatment.

Implement safety plans and de-escalation techniques to manage high-acuity situations and maintain stability for the consumer and the community.

Coordinate with a multidisciplinary team, including court systems and probation, to ensure that interventions align with legal mandates and treatment objectives.

Promote participation in pro-social activities and interpersonal skill development to reinforce community connections and reduce isolation.

Establish and maintain supportive relationships with adults who have limited social skills and histories of unsuccessful community living, fostering trust and consistency.

Ensure clear and therapeutic boundaries are maintained at all times when working with a forensic behavioral health population to ensure ethical practice.

Utilize a valid Massachusetts Drivers License to perform reliable transportation and execute community-based duties, including attending meetings and accessing remote locations.

Document all interactions, interventions, and outcomes meticulously to track progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary.

Advocate for the consumer by connecting them to community resources and crisis response systems that provide additional layers of support.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in psychology, criminal justice, social work or a related field is required with at least two years of experience with this population.

You must be able to establish supportive relationships with adults who have limited social skills and histories of unsuccessful community living.

You are required to maintain clear and therapeutic boundaries when working with a forensic behavioral health population.

A valid Massachusetts Drivers License is held to perform transportation and community-based duties.

You must demonstrate problem-solving ability and the capacity to deliver skills training through side-by-side interventions.

You must be able to participate in pro-social activities and promote interpersonal skill development to reinforce community connections.

You must be capable of managing high-acuity scenarios while ensuring the safety of the consumer, the public, and yourself.

You must commit to documenting all interactions and interventions in a clear, timely, and thorough manner.

Nice to have

None specified.

Practical notes

This role involves community travel and interaction with court and probation systems.

Typical interview steps

Interviews in this field typically test judgment, communication, and fit as much as technical skill. Be ready to describe a challenge you faced, what you did, and what you learned. Most companies value honest answers over polished ones. Whatever the role, preparation is visible. Reviewing the company's product, the job description, and your own past work before the conversation is the strongest step.

Good to know

Roles in forensic behavioral health often involve high acuity and complex legal contexts. Teams use structured interventions and documentation to coordinate care. Familiarity with community resources and crisis response is commonly valuable in this field.

Questions to ask

Useful questions for the interview: what a typical week looks like, how work is assigned, what tools the team uses, and how feedback works. Asking how the role has changed recently and what the team wishes it had known when joining is also reasonable. Questions about the manager's priorities are especially valued.

Career growth

Career growth comes from taking on harder problems and making your work visible. Look for opportunities to own outcomes, mentor others, and learn the business beyond your team. Growth in any career comes from scope, results, and reputation. Take on work that is slightly uncomfortable, and make sure others can see the outcomes.