Behavioral Health Specialist II

About Abraxas Youth and Family Services

For more than 53 years, Abraxas Youth and Family Services has been dedicated to improving lives through high-quality services and support. Our employees play a vital role in helping individuals achieve greater independence, confidence, and success while promoting dignity, respect, inclusion, and personal choice. Every day, our team members make a meaningful impact by supporting people in reaching their goals and living their best lives.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• DailyPay - Access Your Earned Wages Before Payday
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Programs
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Company-Paid Training

Career Growth & Development

• Paid Training Programs
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Certification Opportunities
• Leadership Development Programs
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Opportunities Across Multiple Service Lines

Meaningful Work That Matters

• Make a Difference Every Day
• Support Individuals and Families
• Build Meaningful Relationships
• Strengthen Communities
• Join a Mission-Driven Organization

Responsibilities

• Build positive therapeutic relationships with residents through daily interaction.
• Reinforce treatment goals, behavior support plans, and coping strategies developed by the clinical team.
• Provide behavioral coaching and emotional support to youth experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges.
• Utilize trauma-informed care principles and Safe Crisis Management (SCM) techniques to prevent and de-escalate behavioral crises.
• Observe resident behavior, identify emerging concerns, and communicate significant observations to clinicians and residential leadership.
• Assist residents in developing emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and independent living skills.
• Model effective engagement and de-escalation techniques for Youth Development Specialists and provide informal coaching during daily operations.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and provide behavioral observations to support treatment planning.
• Complete timely and accurate documentation.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic residential environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Compassionate
• Dependable
• Patient
• Team-Oriented
• Service-Focused
• Professional
• Positive
• Committed to Helping Others

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Human Services, Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Education, or a related field preferred.
• Master's degree in Psychology, Human Services, Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, or another related behavioral health field highly valued.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience working in behavioral health, mental health, residential treatment, juvenile justice, child welfare, developmental disabilities, education, or another human services setting.
• Experience working with adolescents is strongly preferred.
• Experience utilizing trauma-informed care and verbal de-escalation techniques strongly preferred.
• At least twenty-one (21) years of age
• Must have a valid Driver's License
• Physical exam that includes TB and drug testing