Youth Behavioral Specialist

Overview

Starting Pay: $30.00 per hour.

Hours:

Monday through Friday, 30 hours per week.

Location:

Rapid City, SD. Benefits: 12% retirement contribution, PTO, health, vision, dental, child care discount, free family membership to the Y, and much more!

The YMCA is a place where every child can belong, grow, and thrive. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Youth Behavioral Specialist to join our after school and camp programs, supporting children in their social-emotional development and helping them navigate behavioral challenges in positive, skill-building ways. In this role, you will work directly with youth, providing structured behavioral support, modeling strategies, and promoting emotional regulation and positive peer interactions in group settings.

You will also serve as a mentor and coach to program staff, offering practical guidance, feedback, and resources to strengthen their ability to support children with diverse behavioral and developmental needs.

Collaboration is a key part of this position. You will work closely with families, school partners, and interdisciplinary teams to support IEP-aligned accommodations and ensure consistency between school and YMCA program environments. Your observations, insights, and applied strategies will help children participate successfully in group activities, develop confidence and self-regulation skills, and build positive relationships with peers and adults. In addition, you will support staff in implementing proactive behavior strategies and de-escalation techniques, creating safe, nurturing spaces where all children feel welcome and supported.

By using evidence-informed practices and data-driven tools, you will help strengthen program quality and ensure that every child's experience is meaningful and inclusive.

• Work directly with youth to provide structured behavioral support and promote emotional regulation and positive peer interactions in group settings.
• Mentor and coach program staff, offering guidance, feedback, and resources to support children with diverse behavioral and developmental needs.
• Collaborate with families, school partners, and interdisciplinary teams to implement IEP-aligned accommodations and ensure consistency between school and YMCA environments.
• Observe and apply strategies to help children participate in group activities, develop confidence and self-regulation skills, and build positive relationships.
• Assist staff in implementing proactive behavior strategies and de-escalation techniques to create safe, inclusive spaces.
• Utilize evidence-informed practices and data-driven tools to strengthen program quality and the child experience.

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, applied behavior analysis, special education, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience supporting children's behavioral and social-emotional growth in school-based, community-based, or youth program settings.
• Experience with IEPs, behavior intervention plans, or interdisciplinary collaboration is highly valued.
• Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to mentor and guide staff across diverse program environments while maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to YMCA policies, including mandated reporting and abuse prevention practices.
• Flexible, observant, and able to adapt strategies in real time to meet individual needs and consider program-level improvements.

YMCA of the Black Hills