BEHAVIORAL PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 60008015

Requisition No: 864402 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: BEHAVIORAL PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 60008015

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60008015 

Salary:  $34,760.00- $55,174.24 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 11/17/2025 

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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.

 

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the Behavioral Program Specialist within the Psychology unit. 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:

• Upon referral from the Team and the Psychology Staff, evaluates persons having significant behavioral issues that delay/prevent discharge.
• Collaborates with attending physicians and team to ensure continuity of services.
• Conducts functional assessments as appropriate.
• Develops observational strategies and assists living area staff engage in measurement of target behaviors.
• In conjunction with psychology staff, develops, trains, and implements intervention strategies to effectively address target behaviors.
• Monitors intervention delivery to ensure program integrity.
• Adjusts interventions in conjunction with psychology staff as data indicates.
• Completes monthly progress notes for persons receiving behavioral services.
• Works with unit direct care staff to provide coaching and feedback regarding interventions.
• Maintains an active presence on the living areas of the targeted persons.
• Assists psychology, rehabilitation, and other clinical staff in designing instructional techniques/practices appropriate for persons with significant behavioral disorders, including those persons who refuse to attend scheduled activities.
• Develops/conducts reinforcer preference inventories in conjunction with psychology staff as appropriate.
• Maintains personal safety plans for persons as assigned.
• Provides enrichment/enhancement activities and/or provides group coverage for the psychology department as indicated and directed by supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of self-care program activities.