State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Department of Developmental Services this class is accountable for developing, coordinating and evaluating specialized programs for individuals with intellectual disability.

Works under the general supervision of a Psychologist or other employee of higher grade in the performance of routine tasks; receives closer supervision when performing more advanced tasks.

May lead direct care staff involved in the implementation of behavior modification programs.

• Assesses individual intellectual status through observation and consultations with other professionals;
• Collects baseline data on behavior of individuals to determine frequency of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors;
• Meets with psychologists, other staff members and supervisors to formulate and coordinate plans of treatment;
• Designs individual behavior modification programs;
• Utilizes behavior modification techniques such as behavioral observation, recording and contingency specification;
• Measures individual behavior and progress through operationally defined observational recording systems and use of measurement apparatus;
• Coordinates behavioral procedures such as reinforcements, rewards and shaping;
• Demonstrates behavior modification programs and methods to direct care staff;
• Communicates individual needs and progress to staff, parents and other involved individuals in areas of design, implementation and supervision of home training programs;
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings;
• May train staff in Prevention Safety Intervention techniques;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Knowledge of
  • psychological learning theories of behavior;
  • modern principles and practices dealing with care, training, habilitation and rehabilitation of individuals with intellectual disability;
  • behavioral procedures such as reinforcements, rewards and shaping;
• Skills
  • considerable interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to design and monitor behavior modification programs and demonstrate these programs to staff and other individuals.

Six (6) years of professional experience providing special education, psychological or social work services to individuals with intellectual disability.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in the utilization of behavior modification skills in the development, coordination and evaluation of behavior modification programs for individuals with intellectual disability.

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in psychology, special education, community psychology, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling or social work may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
• A current Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) certification or, current Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
• Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience and Special Experience.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
  
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.