Director, Severe Behavior Services

Easterseals Southern California transforms lives every day. For over a century, Easterseals has championed inclusion and independence—delivering essential services like early childhood programs, autism services, employment and independent living support to more than 29,000 people each year. Through advocacy and education, we break barriers and create opportunities for the one-in-four Americans with disabilities.

About the Role

Under minimal supervision, provides quality, clinical supervision, direction, and training to associates delivering treatment for severe or complex behaviors in individuals with autism and related disorders using Applied Behavior Analysis. The Director establishes and maintains systems to ensure high-quality ABA services, including assessment, treatment, staff training, and administrative adherence. The role also involves monitoring staff productivity, participant census, day-to-day center operations, and expanding the severe behavior services delivery model. The Director conducts assessments, may provide direct supervision, and facilitates treatment for participants and families as needed.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates program elements for the Severe Behavior Services program, including supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (Clinical Supervisors).
• Leads team meetings, trainings, and the development of permanent work products.
• Participates in ESSC Autism Services Leadership activities, including meetings, committees, and subcommittees.
• Provides consultation to clinicians and associates from other departments on challenging behavior cases.
• Conducts or oversees assessments for severe or complex behavior cases referred to the Severe Behavior Services program.
• Oversees the completion and audits documentation, including evaluations, treatment notes, progress reports, and exit summaries.
• Develops company-wide resources and trainings on providing services for individuals with severe or complex behavior.
• Partners with funding sources to ensure collaborative relationships, contract adherence, and quality assurance activities.
• Develops and monitors program budget.
• Works with other departments to address billing, accounting, human resources, payroll, and other organizational initiatives.
• Remains current regarding new research, trends, and developments in autism, special education, and related fields.
• Participates in presentations, conference attendance, article reviews, and research projects/initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree from an accredited university in Applied Behavior Analysis, Education, Psychology, or a related field.
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) certification.
• Formal training (e.g., dissertation, pre- and/or postdoctoral internship) in the treatment of severe behavior problems displayed by individuals with autism and related disorders using ABA.
• Five years of experience directly overseeing treatment for individuals with severe behavior problems using ABA.
• Five years of experience supervising Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
• Eight years of related supervisory experience working with children with autism spectrum disorders in a multidisciplinary team setting.

Skills

• Demonstrated competency in assessment of severe or complex behavior using applied behavior analysis, including indirect (e.g., rating scales, surveys, interviews) and direct methods (e.g., experimental functional analyses and non-experimental assessments).
• Demonstrated competency in treatment of socially mediated or automatically maintained severe or complex behavior using ABA.
• Fluency in describing behavior analytic principles governing behavior, such as behavioral functions, motivating operations, and likely outcomes of interventions.
• Fluency in developing function-based behavior modification interventions.
• Knowledge and physical competency in a formal behavior management safety course provided through ESSC or an approved affiliate.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Teams, Word, Outlook, Excel) and graphing (e.g., percentage, rate, cumulative frequency).
• Strong leadership skills and professionalism; effective oral and written communication; ability to work cooperatively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to communicate, interpret, and implement ESSC policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Good judgment, discretion, and high-level confidentiality in handling sensitive situations and documentation.
• Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and TB test.
• Proof of required vaccinations or positive titer showing immunity (signed declination may be acceptable for certain vaccinations).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per ESSC and/or program requirements.
• Ability to travel throughout Southern California; maintain a driving record in compliance with Transportation Safety Standards, auto insurance, and vehicle registration.
• Must pass all drug testing required by ESSC.

Physical Demands

• Carrying/Lifting: Occasional / 0-30 lbs.
• Standing: Occasional / Up to 6 hours per day.
• Sitting: Constant / Up to 8 hours per day.
• Walking: Occasional / Up to 3 hours per day.
• Repetitive Motion/Activity: Keyboard activity, telephone use, writing.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to view computer monitor and read newsprint.
• Travel: Up to 50% of time.
• Environmental Exposure: None.

Pay

$133,000–$167,000 DOE.