OPS BEHAVIORAL PROGRAM SPECIALIST F/C - 67961125 PATHWAYS, MARIANNA, FL

Requisition No: 824472 

Agency: Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Working Title: OPS BEHAVIORAL PROGRAM SPECIALIST F/C - 67961125 PATHWAYS, MARIANNA, FL

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 67961125 

Salary:  $15.75 HOURLY 

Posting Closing Date: 07/08/2024 

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2ND SHIFT OPS OPPORTUNITY

Join the Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program (DDDP) Pathways Team.

We are dedicated to empowering persons with developmental disabilities charged with a felony crime to acquire the skills needed to become competent to stand trial, and to acquire the skills and supports that will prepare them for success in their future environments.

Pathways is a 34-bed all male forensic facility working with individuals with disabilities in a secure setting.  These individuals have been adjudicated by the courts as incompetent to proceed to trial and have significant behavioral and psychiatric issues.  Pathways provides rehabilitative, vocational, and daily living skills training to the individuals served which allows for a smooth transition back into a non-secure residential or community setting.  

Duties of a Behavioral Program Specialist F/C include:

The primary purpose of this position is to assist, actively engage, participate, document, and observe the rehabilitation therapy programs designed to reinforce and assist with the training curriculum/activities outlined, and function as a role model for residents to reinforce the behavioral and social skills required to be successful in integrating into community and/or residential environments.

Monitors, instructs, and engages participation in all aspects of the rehabilitation therapy programs designed to complement and reinforce the training curriculum as outlined for the resident population. Makes recommendations for changes in the curriculum/lesson plan based on individual needs assessments.  Assumes role of the Rehabilitation Therapist F/C in implementing curriculum and all activities under the direction of the Rehabilitation Therapist F/C or Rehabilitation Therapist Supervisor and during the Rehabilitation Therapist F/C’s absence based on the established curriculum.  Works in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Therapist F/C to ensure lesson plans are being delivered according to the needs of the individual or class as recommended by the Rehabilitation Therapist F/C, Rehabilitation Therapist Supervisor. Escorts residents as appropriate to ensure that their security, safety, and well-being are not compromised.

Demonstrates, assists, and participates during leisure and recreational activities during the normal business day, evenings, weekends, and holidays to ensure residents are engaged in structured and planned activities to reinforce training curriculum, minimize behaviors, and increase resident satisfaction. Works in partnership with the direct care staff to ensure that respective leisure and educational opportunities are timely and effectively deployed. Escorts residents as appropriate to ensure that their security, safety, and well-being are not compromised. 

Ensures that all administrative documents to include but not limited to flow sheets, progress notes, unit logs, resident documents, safety documents, time sheets, leave requests, lesson plans, activity logs, worker's compensation forms and/or other related documents are completed and submitted to the supervisor in a timely and accurate manner.

Implements and deploys Behavioral Programs designed for each resident in an appropriate, fair, and impartial manner.  This includes but is not limited to adhering to all policies/protocols, maintaining on going updates of all program changes and collecting and recording required data in a timely and accurate manner.

Ensures that all activities associated with the resident are documented in chronological order in accordance with agency protocol, with all relevant facts which includes, who, what, when, where and why.  Immediately notifies supervisor of any issues associated with the resident which are unusual and/or may require additional follow-up and investigation.  Files associated documents in the appropriate resident chart.

Prepares assignment sheets and assumes a leadership role in providing personal care, supervision, escort, training, and treatment for residents.

Monitor’s class/activities in the rehab program and provides assistance, communicates suggestions, and provides supportive documentation to the treatment team/Rehab. Therapist F/C / Rehab class coordinator in scheduling, developing training, instruction, recreational and other therapeutic interventions to the residents as assigned and/or required.

Functions as a role model for residents to reinforce the behavioral and social skills required to be successful in integrating into community and/or residential environments.

Observes and documents while monitoring specials (ex: 1:1, CVO, etc.) in accordance with agency protocols, ensures that appropriate and required documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner and works with individual residents as assigned or required.

Completes all required training. Maintain MANDT certification as required by expected deadlines.

Maintain timesheet, ensuring accuracy and submit timely in accordance with policy and procedure.

Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

•             Knowledge of appropriate practices and protocols used in the treatment of developmentally disabled persons.

•             Ability to assist professionals in implementing prescribed treatment and rehabilitation programs.

•             Ability to observe residents and identify and document changes and/or unusual events which could result in safety and well-being issues.

•             Ability to make behavioral assessments.

•             Ability to plan, organize and coordinate activities.

•             Ability to develop and monitor self-care behavioral modification prescriptive treatment plans, activities, and programs.

•             Ability to teach and apply behavior modification principles.

•             Ability to evaluate client services for compliance with program objectives.

•             Ability to communicate effectively.

•             Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

•             Ability to maintain and update resident records and charts.

•             Ability to maintain the required Prevention and Safety Strategies certification.     

Other job-related requirements for this position:

•             An associate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in nursing, education, or a social, behavioral, or rehabilitative science and two years of experience involving the application of behavior modification principles; or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in nursing, education, or a social, behavioral, or rehabilitative science.  Experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.

•             MANDT at the Advanced level is required unless the incumbent requests a reasonable accommodation supported by an annual medical certification.  Incumbent is required to submit to pre-employment TB screening and on an annual on-going basis as prescribed by DDDP.

•             Maintain confidentiality of employee and/or resident information.  This specific standard is mission critical as the Agency is entrusted with information about employees and residents which is protected by HIPAA and other federal and state laws.  The Agency’s ability to maintain and protect confidential information has a direct relationship on our ability to gain and sustain the public trust.

•             Based on the duties and essential functions of this position, incumbents will be required to spend a minimum of 75% of work time performing duties which involves direct contact with residents in a secure forensic facility.  This position requires lifting, pulling and squatting.

•             Employees of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities are required to demonstrate total commitment to outstanding customer service.  This includes, but not limited to, acting in a responsive, professional, courteous manner with the employees, customers and public we serve at all times.

Minimum Qualifications

• An associate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in nursing, education, or a social, behavioral, or rehabilitative science and two years of experience involving the application of behavior modification principles; or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in nursing, education, or a social, behavioral or rehabilitative science.  Experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.
• A valid driver’s license. License suspended or revoked for any reason, work permits (Business purpose/ Employment/Education only license) and some types of restricted license are not acceptable. Licenses that have “Corrective Lenses Restricted,” are acceptable, provided the driver wears the corrective lenses while operating the vehicle.

Our campus and facility are tobacco-free.

 WORK SCHEDULE

This position is located at a 24-hour facility.  Team members must be agreeable to working a shift schedule; regular, evening, or night. Days Off: Varies. 

Employees may be required to work additional days/hours based upon the needs of the facility and those we serve.  This includes, but is not limited to ensuring facility coverage, activities, holidays, and emergency situations.

Direct Deposit Program – As a condition of employment, a person appointed to a position in State government is required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program.

Recruiting Contact:      

Jodi NeSmith      

Recruitment Manager- Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program & Pathways  

Agency for Persons with Disabilities      

Telephone: (850) 663-7138      

Email: jodi.nesmith@apdcares.org     

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT- It is the policy of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities that applicants for employment undergo Level 2 employment screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. No applicant for a designated position will be employed or permitted to volunteer until the Level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Agency. Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for Statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Federal criminal records checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and may include local criminal records checks through local law enforcement agencies.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION INCLUDING FINGERPRINTING, PURSUANT TO S. 110.1127(1), FLORIDA STATUTES.

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.