BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST - 60004876

Requisition No: 860490 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST - 60004876

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60004876 

Salary:  $2,232.34 - $2,349.83 Bi-weekly 

Posting Closing Date: 09/24/2025 

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.

Northeast Florida State Hospital (NEFSH) is a 613-bed, licensed mental health treatment facility that provides person-centered services to adults suffering from severe and persistent mental illness. The hospital, located in Macclenny, was established in 1959 and is the largest state operated civil treatment facility. 

NORTHEAST 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 IS AN ANTICIPATED VACANCY.

HOURS FOR THIS POSITION ARE 6:30AM TO 5PM.

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the Behavioral Specialist within the Nursing Division. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Develops, implements and provides specialized training to all staff designed to promote positive therapeutic interactions between individuals we serve and staff. 
• Provides Interaction training at new employee orientation. 
• Provides continual observation and monitoring of employee interactions with individuals we serve. 
• Makes recommendations to Registered Nursing Consultant for staff who would benefit from re-training.  
• Provides documentation and feedback regarding staff interaction skills, data on training status and outcome as required to the Registered Nursing Consultant.
• Develops a monthly summary report incorporating observation of Unit Intervention Coordinators for the ESP within established timeframes.
• Coordinates content on on-unit therapeutic activities with Service/Treatment Teams and other divisions. 
• Assures implementation of required subject matter and reporting of data. 
• Provides specialized consultation assistance and feedback to the Service/Treatment Team in the Distinct Part. 
• Develops data collection tool, collecting data regarding modification to treatment plans of the individuals we serve. 
• Assist in the development of therapeutic plans in conjunction with the Service/Treatment Teams.
• Develops and implements specialized geriatric therapeutic activities as needed to individuals requiring unique individualized activities.
• Provides and maintains written data of the percentage of prompting staff provide individuals in achieving therapeutic activities.
• Provides Registered Nursing Supervisors strategies on how to improve staff involvement, effectiveness and consistency in providing therapeutic activities to the individuals served.
• Will provide documentation to the Registered Nursing Consultant on a monthly basis.
• Attends Service/Treatment Teams to report pertinent information and actively contribute to the Service/Treatment Team process of planning, implementing and evaluating effectiveness of plans and goals for the individuals we serve. 
• Attends Unit morning meetings. 
• Provides therapeutic intervention in crisis situations to lend extra support as needed for the individuals we serve.
• Develops personal safety plans for the individuals served within 30 days of admission and update the plan annually.
• Inservices staff on the Personal Safety Plans for the individuals served within the Distinct Part. Updates and maintains the PSP Binder found on the units.
• Back up the Unit MUS by assisting with supplies, obtaining most recent copy of revised Policies and Procedures, replacing outdated copies in all Policy books within the unit, answering the unit phone, attend unit morning meeting, Service/Treatment Team as appropriate, and other assigned meetings. 
• Maintains current certification in all required areas.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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; or
• Licensed as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Marriage & Family Therapist, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

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

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any 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.

#SAMH

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.