BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST - INTERN - 60004817

Requisition No: 875364 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST - INTERN - 60004817

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60004817 

Salary:  $17,767.20 - $40,402.13 / Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 05/15/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

Florida State Hospital (FSH) is a mental health treatment facility owned and operated by the State of Florida and is part of the Department of Children and Families. The department’s mission is to “work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.”

FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS.

This is a highly responsible and professional position that will serve as Behavioral Specialist – Intern in the accredited doctoral internship at Florida State Hospital. This position will collaborate with each section within the state facilities and be required to use independent judgement, take initiative in carrying out duties and responsibilities and should be extraordinarily detail oriented. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

• This position requires lifting, pulling and squatting. Duties of this position require the incumbent to be knowledgeable of and utilize the principles of Total Quality Management. The employee in this position is a Psychology Intern in an accredited, systematic, defined training program. Duties involve the application of professional psychological knowledge and skills to diverse human needs in the context of intensive supervision by licensed Psychologists.
• Assesses client functioning as clinically indicated through use of psychological tests, interviews and behavioral observations. Demonstrates sound professional judgment and ethical awareness in selection of assessment tools for diverse population. Administers, scores, and interprets data in accordance with professional standards of science and practice. Integrates assessment data with relevant collateral information. Provides comprehensive written and oral communication about assessment results to client, treatment staff, and other agencies as appropriate.
• Plans and implements appropriate psychological interventions applicable to the range of mental health needs in the setting. Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with clients, demonstrating sensitivity to human diversity. Integrates knowledge of theory and research with the practical application of group and individual therapy skills and techniques.
• Engages in supervision to facilitate personal clinical effectiveness and to promote professional development. Extends knowledge skills, and abilities through reading clinical literature and attending didactic and experiential training activities. Performs duties in accordance with the Ethical Standards and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association as well as applicable laws and rules governing professional practice
• Works cooperatively with interdisciplinary mental health team to develop, provide, document, and evaluate services in a manner consistent with facility policies and procedures. Provides consultation and education as applicable.
• Follows and carries out FSH/Unit/Department Safety Practices, Policies and Procedures.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:

• Knowledge of the theories and principles of clinical, counseling or behavioral psychology.
• Knowledge of psychological testing principles and practices.
• Ability to administer and interpret psychological tests.
• Ability to prepare psychological reports.
• Ability to analyze and interpret psychological data.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling or psychology.

Preference will be given to applicants who have:

• Training and experience delivering mental health assessment and treatment to persons with severe and persistent mental illness with criminal justice system involvement.

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety:

• Include the supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities, as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of responding to qualifying questions and entering work history.
• If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.
• For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).  Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.  For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.