Job Description

The Director of Behavioral Programs serves as the strategic and operational leader responsible for designing, implementing, and sustaining a comprehensive behavioral support system across the entire campus.  This role extends beyond traditional BCBA functions by building an integrated behavioral framework that supports individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), Mental Illness (MI), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

This role ensures that behavioral supports are proactive, data-driven, and person-centered, consistently implemented across residential, clinical, and program environments and embedded into staff training, daily care practices, and organizational culture.

This position creates a layered behavioral support model, incorporating staff development, enhanced staffing strategies, behavioral programming, and structured activities tailored to diverse resident needs.

Role and Responsibilities

Program Development & Behavioral Systems Design

·       Develop and oversee a campus-wide behavioral support model

·       Establish standardized frameworks for Behavioral assessment (FBA), Intervention planning (BIP/BTP) and Data collection and outcome tracking

·       Design tiered behavioral support systems, including:

o   Universal supports (all residents)

o   Targeted interventions (moderate behavioral needs)

o   Intensive supports (enhanced staffing / high-risk behaviors)

·       Create systems that ensure continuity of behavioral care across all departments and shifts

·       Lead the development of trauma-informed and least-restrictive programming models

Staff Training, Coaching & Workforce Development

·       Build and lead a formal behavioral training program for all staff levels

·       Develop curriculum and competency standards in:

o   Understanding behavior and function

o   Crisis prevention and de-escalation

o   Implementation of BIPs/BTPs

o   Appropriate use of restrictive and non-restrictive interventions

o   Documentation and data accuracy

·       Ensure ongoing training, recertification, and skill validation

·       Provide in-the-moment coaching and modeling within residential settings

·       Establish Behavioral Champions / Lead Staff roles within units

·       Evaluate staff performance related to behavior support and implement improvement plans

Behavioral Support Services & Enhanced Staffing Programs

·       Design and oversee Behavior Technician (BT/RBT) support models

·       Develop criteria and protocols for residents approved for Enhanced staffing and Intensive behavioral monitoring

·       Ensure behavioral staff are properly trained and effectively utilized, aligned with treatment goals

·       Create staffing models that balance safety, independence, and therapeutic value

Residential & Clinical Integration

·       Partner with Residential, Nursing, Clinical, and Therapeutic departments to align behavioral programming with medical and clinical needs, and ensure consistency in interventions across environments

·       Participate in and lead interdisciplinary treatment planning

·       Ensure behavioral supports are integrated into daily routines, activities programming and environmental design

Behavioral Programming & Therapeutic Activities

·       Develop and implement structured, behaviorally appropriate activity programs, including:

o   Sensory-based programming

o   Skill-building activities

o   Social and adaptive functioning groups

·       Ensure activities are:

o   Matched to behavioral profiles

o   Reinforcing and engaging

o   Designed to reduce maladaptive behaviors

·       Collaborate with recreation and therapy teams to align programming

Data, Outcomes & Continuous Improvement

·       Establish a robust data infrastructure to track behavioral incidents, intervention effectiveness, staff compliance and resident outcomes

·       Use analytics to:

o   Identify trends and systemic issues

o   Drive program improvements

o   Demonstrate measurable outcomes

·       Present behavioral performance metrics to leadership

Compliance & Risk Management

·       Ensure all behavioral programming complies with:

o   Michigan Mental Health Code

o   MDHHS and CMH requirements

o   Organizational policies

·       Oversee:

o   Behavior Treatment Plan Review Committee (BTPRC) processes

o   Documentation accuracy and audit readiness

·       Lead incident reviews and root cause analyses

·       Develop corrective action plans and monitor effectiveness

Leadership & Program Oversight

·       Supervise behavioral staff (e.g., BCBAs, Behavior Specialists, BTs/RBTs, Clinical Psychologists)

o   Conduct program audits to ensure fidelity of implementation and consistency across shifts and units

·       Build a culture of:

o   Accountability

o   Clinical excellence

o   Continuous learning

·       Serve as the organization’s primary authority on behavioral systems and strategy

Qualifications

·       Master’s Degree (or higher) in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Special Education, or related field

·       Licensure: Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and/or Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) - required

·       Minimum 3–5 years of experience in:

o   Behavioral programming in residential or inpatient settings – strongly preferred

o   ASD, I/DD, and/or mental health populations – required