What Does An Intervention Specialist Do?

WHAT DOES AN INTERVENTION SPECIALIST DO?

Published: Oct 09, 2025 - The Intervention Specialist provides psychological services through evaluation, consultation, and individualized program development to address residents’ behavioral and emotional needs. This role ensures effective collaboration with care teams by training staff, monitoring progress, and maintaining confidentiality in all psychological and behavioral programs. The specialist also promotes advocacy, accountability, and cultural sensitivity to enhance residents’ well-being and community inclusion.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Intervention Specialist

1. Intervention Specialist Duties

Behavior Therapy: Make an impact by delivering 1:1 behavior therapy to individuals with special needs in their natural setting, such as in their home, school (special education or regular education), or community.
Autism Support: Help teach individuals with autism how to talk, play, make friends, and function independently, while helping reduce any inappropriate behaviors.
ABA Training: Provide behavior therapists with extensive, paid training so that they can deliver effective applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment, such as discrete trial teaching (DTT), naturalistic teaching strategies (NATS), and verbal behavior (VB).
Team Collaboration: Collaborate and engage with their behavior treatment teams by participating in clinical team meetings to report client progress and receive specific feedback from the supervisor.
Prevention Services: Direct the development and implementation of prevention services.
Health Education: Provide community behavioral health education.
Violence Education: Provide family violence education.
Prevention Training: Provide prevention training annually to new personnel and leadership personnel.
Resource Linking: Provide resource finding and service linking.
Program Intervention: Provide prevention program interventions to promote protective factors and address maltreatment risk factors.
Service Planning: Collaborate with other New Parent Support Program (NPSP) team members to develop service plans that incorporate primary and secondary prevention services.

2. Behavior Intervention Specialist Details

Policy Integration: Integrates a mental health perspective into program policies and procedures.
Staff Development: Provides ongoing staff professional development and mentoring on topics related to early childhood mental health.
Public Presentation: Conducts presentations at policy council and/or parent events.
Child Assessment: Conducts general developmental observations and assessments of individual children and group interactions and behavior trends.
Resource Expansion: Uses creative and flexible approaches to expand resources available for mental health support to children, families, and staff.
Problem Resolution: Works with parents, teachers, therapists, and children to resolve problems and triggers, and sets and enforces appropriate limits for behavior.
Skill Development: Assists children in developing social, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Behavior Management: Utilizes approved techniques for the management of assaultive behavior.
Intervention Planning: Develops and helps implement behavior intervention plans and individualized strategies.
Play Intervention: Provides play-based and relationship-based intervention for children (birth to kindergarten entry) and their families.
Emotional Promotion: Promotes social-emotional strategy implementation in classrooms, FCC provider homes, and individual homes.
Relationship Modeling: Models positive relationships with the staff and families.

3. Behavior Intervention Specialist Responsibilities

Family Consultation: Works with families and staff in explaining and understanding mental health consultation and services, alleviating fears and misconceptions.
Crisis Intervention: Provides crisis intervention for children in site-based care situations.
Content Writing: Writes articles for program newsletters about supporting positive mental health and well-being.
Site Support: Supports partner sites through regular direct and electronic communication.
Development Support: Provides support and addresses questions or concerns regarding social-emotional development.
Relationship Building: Spends time in classrooms during drop-off and pickup to build relationships with parents and children.
Parent Facilitation: Facilitates group-based parent services related to early childhood mental health (e.g., parent-infant attachment groups, parent education groups, etc.).
Service Delivery: Conducts services in a variety of settings, including client homes, community childcare or school settings, office, and other approved settings.
Driving Compliance: Maintains an insurable driving record under Pacific Clinics' insurance policies and drives own vehicle on Pacific Clinics' business.
Meeting Participation: Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
Work Reliability: Reports to work on time and maintains reliable and regular attendance.
Effective Communication: Communicates effectively in a culturally competent and diverse consumer population and promotes favorable interaction with managers, co-workers, and others.

4. Intervention Specialist Job Summary

Session Facilitation: Prepares, plans, and facilitates individual and group sessions, including booster sessions, with integrity and fidelity to curriculum in a time-limited, solution-oriented manner.
Client Engagement: Engages clients and addresses anti-social thinking, feeling, and acting.
Motivational Interviewing: Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to engage clients and their families in AIC programming.
Behavioral Approach: Uses cognitive-behavioral approaches to behavior change.
Behavior Monitoring: Monitors client behaviors and uses behavior management systems.
Accountability Support: Holds clients accountable and addresses ambivalence and resistance while helping clients maintain motivation to change.
Needs Assessment: Addresses basic needs to support recovery and pro-social behavior change.
Quality Assurance: Actively participates in quality assurance activities including videotaping sessions, meeting with a quality assurance coach, attending training, and reviewing data reports.
Documentation Management: Maintains accurate and timely documentation of group and collateral activities in agency and funder data systems.
Performance Participation: Participates in efforts to meet and maintain performance-based measures set by the agency and CSSD.
Team Discussion: Participates in client-centered, strengths-based presentations and discussions in staff meetings.
Report Preparation: Prepares reports that are accurate and timely, and updates referral sources on client activities regularly.
Behavior Modeling: Models pro-social behaviors and serves as a role model to clients and staff.
Team Coverage: Operates as part of a team by providing program coverage for client services (including urinalysis) outside of the normal work schedule, typical job function, or primary work site (e.g., additional evening shifts to ensure operational coverage).
Testing Supervision: Supervises toxicology testing, ensuring supervised urine specimens are collected only by a staff member of the same gender.
Cultural Competence: Continues to develop knowledge and understanding about the history, traditions, values, family systems, and artistic expression of groups served and uses appropriate methodological approaches, skills, and techniques that reflect an understanding of culture.

5. Intervention Specialist Accountabilities

Collaborative Environment: Provides a collaborative environment for students, parents, center staff, and administrative personnel.
Classroom Climate: Establishes a climate that promotes a firm, fair, and respectful classroom environment with a focus on social development and group responsibility.
Behavior Modeling: Models and reinforces positive behaviors as outlined in the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program for the school and classroom.
Program Implementation: Implements established school-wide and classroom PBIS programs, reinforcement systems, behavioral expectations, and consequence guidelines within the prescribed level system program.
Data Management: Assists with maintaining the corresponding data collection and record-keeping system.
Progress Recording: Responsible for recording student progress and maintaining student files continuously.
Report Preparation: Prepares reports on children and activities as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Plan Writing: Writes IEPs, behavior plans, and functional behavior analyses as required by specific contracts.
Direct Instruction: Provides direct instruction in subjects.
Team Teaching: Works in a team environment to effectively teach collaboratively and co-teach curricular subjects in IEPs.
Curriculum Modification: Modifies curriculum and assists with differentiated instruction for students as well as staff.

6. Intervention Specialist Functions

Instructional Strategies: Uses a variety of instructional strategies and resources to respond to students' diverse needs and interests, including prescribed educational software and intervention curriculum.
Case Management: Acts as case manager if required by the district for special education students, which may include updating the IEP and goals.
Lesson Preparation: Prepares lesson plans and materials for the assigned class.
Incident Reporting: Reports incidents (e.g., fights, suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse) to maintain the personal safety of students, provide a positive learning environment, and adhere to State and Federal law.
Center Maintenance: Assists the Site Director in maintaining the physical center, furniture, and supplies in a neat and orderly condition according to procedures.
Facility Upkeep: Ensures that the center and the outside surrounding area are neat, clean, well-maintained, and present an organized and professional appearance at all times.
Learning Environment: Provides a positive learning environment conducive to the education of students.
Equipment Care: Responsible for the proper use and cleanliness of equipment.
Professional Development: Keeps up to date with research-based practices and developments in the subject area, resources, and professional development.
Feedback Response: Responds constructively to formal and informal feedback.

7. Intervention Specialist Job Description

Behavior Support: Provide behavior management, social competency, problem identification and resolution, effective communication, self-sufficiency, and life goals to youth and families in service.
Direct Counseling: Provide counseling and teaching services to assigned individuals and families, utilizing a broad array of intervention techniques required to effectively address client needs.
Parent Education: Provide parent education training and psycho-social interventions.
Crisis Intervention: Provide intervention techniques in the Safety Services program including behavior management, crisis management, social connection, resource support, and separation.
Risk Assessment: Responsible for completion and accuracy of assessments identified (i.e., Risk Assessment and Suicide/Homicidal Assessment).
Team Collaboration: Work as a member of a team to develop, assign, and implement services to children and families with quarterly treatment plans and safety plans including explicit goals.
Utilization Standards: Meet weekly utilization standards as required by the supervisor.
Outcome Monitoring: Monitor and document treatment plan outcomes every quarter.
Incident Reporting: Report via appropriate documentation all special incidents directly to the supervisor as well as referring agencies as defined in the contract or agreement.
Crisis Participation: Participate in the 24-hour crisis intervention.
Resource Assistance: Assist families in identifying and using community resources to successfully meet their needs.
Documentation Management: Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation.
Professional Communication: Establish contact and maintain professional communication with referral sources as required by program design.

8. Intervention Specialist Overview

Classroom Management: Establish and maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and child development as defined in the Agency's SED Checklist.
Curriculum Adaptation: Create and adapt the curriculum as mandated by the student’s IEP, individual academic level, and graduation requirements.
Lesson Development: Develop lesson plans that employ a variety of instructional techniques and media to meet the needs and capabilities of each student.
Goal Intervention: Design, implement, and track progress of interventions for academic and behavioral goals.
Record Maintenance: Maintain accurate classroom records, including grades, attendance, and behavioral records.
IEP Development: Develop appropriate student IEPs with measurable and obtainable goals based on data provided through the Multi-Factored Evaluation (MFE) and/or Evaluation Team Report (ETR).
Progress Assessment: Assess student progress through tests, projects, observations, and portfolios.
Client Advocacy: Advocate for clients and coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crises.
Positive Reinforcement: Reward and encourage clients in accordance with the agency’s policy of Unconditional Positive Regard.
Incident Reporting: Complete incident reporting promptly and according to agency policy.
Parent Communication: Initiate and facilitate communication with parents, team members, and outside agencies in a professional manner.
Information Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality of all client information and records.
Policy Compliance: Comply with all Agency policies and procedures, including CARF.

9. Early Intervention Specialist Details and Accountabilities

Student Engagement: Work directly with a diverse student body one-on-one and in groups to facilitate conversations about well-being from a solution-focused, positive, and evidence-based framework.
Program Evaluation: Assist with the development, implementation, and administration of a comprehensive evaluation plan to assess the fidelity, outcome, and impact of the WahooWell program.
Content Adjustment: Use knowledge gained from the assessment to adjust outreach content and approaches.
Resource Referral: Provide referrals to both on- and off-Grounds resources.
Information Management: Appropriately discuss, document, and maintain sensitive and confidential student information.
Administrative Support: Perform administrative functions that support early intervention initiatives including scheduling, tracking, and documenting referred students.
Inquiry Response: Respond to inquiries from students, family members, and other Grounds or community members.
Network Building: Strengthen University and community networks by initiating outreach to referral sources and other stakeholders.
Community Resource: Serve as a community resource for student well-being, focusing on concerns common to the student experience such as stress, sleep, social health, and substance use.
Training Development: Use evidence-based research to collaboratively create and conduct presentations and trainings on comprehensive prevention programs, motivational interviewing, WahooWell program efficacy, and best practices in prevention science.
Goal Implementation: Understand, be committed to, and contribute to the implementation of departmental and institutional goals.

10. Intervention Specialist Tasks

Home Visits: Conducts home visits based on individual need and completes progress notes.
Assessment Administration: Administers and documents all program assessments.
Activity Design: Designs, implements, and adapts activities for language, cognitive, fine and gross motor, sensory, self-help, and social/emotional development for each individual.
Report Completion: Completes quarterly, six-month, and annual client reports.
Needs Identification: Identifies changes and emergent needs on an ongoing basis.
Family Relations: Builds and maintains relationships with families.
On-Call Coverage: Provides on-call coverage for caseload.
Educational Program: Provides an educational program for students as defined in the student's Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.).
Teacher Collaboration: Works cooperatively with regular classroom teachers, interpreting the abilities and disabilities of these students, assisting in classroom intervention strategies, modifying general education curricula, and helping the student with regular class assignments.
Parent Communication: Communicates regularly with parents and professional staff regarding the educational, social, and personal needs of students.
Team Participation: Participates as a member of the Student Concerns Team as directed by the building principal.
IEP Implementation: Develops and implements an Individualized Educational Program for each child, complementary to their educational strengths and needs as defined through the multi-factored evaluation and I.E.P. process, and the Regular Education Curriculum.
Record Maintenance: Completes necessary reports and record keeping as required by state and local policies and procedures.
Professional Development: Participates in professional growth activities through staff development, in-service workshops, and higher education.

11. Family Advocacy Intervention Specialist Roles

Family Assessment: Assess families referred for suspected maltreatment and treat individuals, families, and groups whose maltreatment allegations meet criteria for maltreatment.
Prevention Services: Provide voluntary, comprehensive prevention services (primarily home-based) to families to prevent the occurrence of family maltreatment.
Case Treatment: Provide treatment for assigned maltreatment and FAST cases, coordinating services for families and monitoring client participation and progress utilizing the modalities of social casework, psychotherapy, and psycho-educational interventions.
Psychosocial Assessment: Complete psychosocial assessments using the Adult and Child intakes in FAPNet.
Safety Planning: Assess for safety on an ongoing basis and continuously assist family members with safety planning.
Community Collaboration: Collaborate with coordinating FAPs for community prevention services, collaboration, and social marketing campaigns.
Service Planning: Collaborate with other NPSP team members to develop service plans that incorporate primary and secondary prevention services.
Home Visits: Conduct home visits to NPSP clients assessed as high needs and who request social work intervention.
Case Presentation: Present cases at the NPSP case staffing meetings.
Health Education: Provide community behavioral health education, family violence education, prevention training, resource finding and service linking, and prevention program interventions to promote protective factors and address maltreatment risk factors.

12. Family Advocacy Intervention Specialist Additional Details

Program Management: Manages the prevention and outreach program.
Leader Training: Provides new leader orientation and annual leader training to organizational leadership (Commanders and 1st Sergeants) to promote respect for duty and family in support of mission readiness.
Process Development: Develops and facilitates processes for prevention planning, program implementation, public awareness activities, and intervention and service delivery.
Data Entry: Inputs training data into FAPNET.
System Representation: Serves as the Primary Representative to the Integrated Delivery System (IDS).
Council Leadership: Leads the Outreach Prevention Management Council (OPMC).
Meeting Attendance: Attends Family Advocacy Council (FAC) meetings.
Subject Expertise: Serves as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for NPSP case staffing and provides resources.
Improvement Recommendation: Recommends improvements to correct deficiencies.
Community Engagement: Participates in and supports meetings, conferences, and forums to promote customer and other external activities.

13. Intervention Specialist Essential Functions

Data Interpretation: Gathers, organizes, and interprets assessment data on identified students.
Instructional Strategies: Utilizes best practice instructional strategies and research-based intervention curriculum materials to meet the learning needs of identified students.
Curriculum Knowledge: Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding of the English Standards of Learning and the school division curricular requirements.
Material Selection: Selects appropriate instructional materials to meet student needs.
Strategy Modeling: Models the use of intervention strategies through their use in the classroom for general and special education teachers.
Progress Monitoring: Analyzes existing student achievement data and administers student assessments and monitoring instruments to aid in progress monitoring of Title I students.
Record Maintenance: Maintains accurate student records, parent communication records, and student progress data reports as required by Title I law and district policy.
Professional Development: Attends professional development opportunities and provides professional development that promotes improved instructional strategies.
Research Awareness: Stays abreast of current developments, research, and new technology and intervention strategies designed to increase student learning.
Collaborative Work: Works in a collegial and collaborative manner with school personnel and the community to promote and support the mission and goals of the Office of Reading and English Education and the school division.
Professional Conduct: Promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect and courtesy and models professional, moral, and ethical standards as well as personal integrity in all interactions with co-workers, customers, and clients.
Policy Compliance: Follows district guidelines and policies.

14. Intervention Specialist Role Purpose

Program Presence: Work in or around the vicinity of the designated location during IAMBK program hours.
Incident Response: Maintain weekend availability to respond to incidents.
Meeting Availability: Maintain availability for weekday program-related meetings.
Crisis Response: Provide street-level intervention and crisis response activities that include responding to specific youth-related confrontations.
Conflict Mediation: Work to mediate and diffuse conflict tensions and actively promote available community resources.
Community Engagement: Participate in IAMBK activities and initiatives in the designated area, focusing on creating pathways to opportunity.
Youth Outreach: Engage with identified at-risk youth.
Family Engagement: Engage youth, parents, and families to participate in IAMBK program activities.
Event Participation: Attend any city-wide public event when IAMBK's presence is requested by the City of Columbus and/or Franklin County.
Support Services: Provide support services to youth and families.

15. Intervention Specialist General Responsibilities

Technology Utilization: Utilize available and required technology to submit documentation (i.e., daily agendas, contact notes, end-of-shift reports, incident reports, and any other data collected for reporting purposes).
Daily Documentation: Document all interactions and incidents during the IAMBK program daily to be submitted weekly.
Community Liaison: Act as a community liaison, providing leadership support and maintaining peace at the IAMBK site through proactive mediation and conflict resolution strategies.
Safety Management: Responsible for ensuring safety during activities by engaging community participants and IAMBK partners to address potential issues.
Neighborhood Engagement: Engage local neighborhoods surrounding the designated location site to establish safe passage for community participants.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with all community stakeholders, including law enforcement, City/County staff, community organizations, and residents, through specific project tasks.
Program Support: Support the development of I Am My Brother's Keeper and represent IAMBK at public meetings and events.
Meeting Participation: Attend any IAMBK site leadership and Advisory Council meetings, including the assignment of specific tasks, and perform related duties.

16. Intervention Specialist Key Accountabilities

Session Facilitation: Prepare, plan, and facilitate individual and group training sessions with integrity and fidelity to the curriculum or manual.
Session Completion: Conduct make-up sessions.
Client Support: Meet with clients individually to ensure understanding of the content of the services.
Behavior Monitoring: Monitor client behaviors and implement a behavior management system.
Research Awareness: Remain current on research and literature regarding effective methods for changing offender behavior and reducing recidivism.
Behavior Modeling: Serve as a role model to clients and staff, modeling pro-social behaviors.
Plan Development: Assist in the development and implementation of Individual Service Plans.
Client Assessment: Conduct client assessments.
Documentation Management: Provide timely and accurate file documentation.
Quality Assurance: Participate in quality assurance review of groups and client sessions.

17. Intervention Specialist Roles and Details

Health Intervention: Provide and support a full range of communicable disease intervention and prevention activities.
Patient Interviewing: Coordinate the DIS to obtain histories from patients infected with communicable diseases through personal interviews.
Source Identification: Determine possible sources of infection, provide or recommend treatments, and establish other contacts that a patient may have had.
Partner Interviewing: Coordinate the DIS to conduct interviews to elicit information on sexual or needle-share partners and others within sexual networks where shared behaviors raise the risk for morbidity.
Service Referral: Coordinate the DIS to refer patients to appropriate medical, family planning, behavioral health, or other services.
Partner Location: Coordinate the DIS to locate partners or personal contacts of infected individuals through the investigative process, including field visits to arrange for physical examination, diagnosis, and medical treatment.
Field Documentation: Coordinate the DIS and accurately document all field activities and treatment on designated records.
Record Maintenance: Maintain and update electronic records in the current case management, surveillance, and morbidity system.
Data Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality of patient information, records, and data pursuant to agency policies and procedures and data release protocols, state statutes, and Federal HIPAA regulations.

18. Intervention Specialist Responsibilities and Key Tasks

Program Development: Serve as subject matter expert and advisor to help develop program guidelines, protocols, and operational and field investigation procedures.
Case Coordination: Coordinate appropriate diagnostic services, treatment, and case management with tribal, public, private, military, and federal health care personnel.
Agency Liaison: Serve as a liaison and specialized consultant to local tribal governments and public, private, and military agencies and organizations.
Technical Training: Provide professional case consultation, technical assistance, and training for public health nurses, clinicians, and counselors on all aspects of communicable disease risk assessment, transmission factors, diagnostics and treatments, laboratory interpretations, current agency policies and procedures, and CDC recommendations.
Expert Instruction: Serve as an expert trainer in relevant program-sponsored events and provide didactic and field-based practicum for individuals hired to conduct relevant partner service activities in the state.
Community Outreach: Design and participate in outreach activities (e.g., screenings, health fairs, and educational events) in settings of epidemiological significance, such as correctional facilities, youth detention centers, school groups, high-morbidity neighborhoods, or other identified venues.
Team Collaboration: Follow direction from senior staff and integrate their perspective into program activities.
Service Networking: Engage in networking activities to ensure awareness of available services.
Cultural Competence: Ensure that all services are delivered in a culturally competent manner.

19. Intervention Specialist Duties and Roles

Psychological Services: Provide psychological services for residents including evaluation, consultation, and program development.
Resident Support: Provide psychological services through direct contact with residents and through contact with Direct Care Workers and other team members.
Interdisciplinary Evaluation: Participate in continuing Interdisciplinary Evaluations of each resident for beginning, monitoring, and follow-up on the residents’ Individual Program Plan.
Evaluation Reporting: Report and disseminate evaluation results in a manner that promptly provides information useful to Direct Care Workers.
Confidentiality Compliance: Maintain accepted standards of confidentiality.
Program Planning: Develop written, detailed, specific, and individualized program plans and record monthly, quarterly, and annual progress.
Staff Training: Conduct staff training to enable staff to initiate program plans and provide ongoing direct supervision of program implementation.
Behavioral Evaluation: Evaluate behavioral problems and residents, develop behavioral programs to treat those problems when warranted, and train staff to implement such programs.
Evaluation Update: Provide for the Annual Update of psychological evaluations and review of triennial evaluations.
Family Counseling: Provide information and counseling to parents and guardians on behavioral treatment and management of residents during home visits or potential return to the community.
Program Improvement: Improve accountability and management for all Habilitation Programs through routine review and recommend appropriate changes, adjustments, or new programs.
Advocacy Leadership: Provide advocacy leadership to promote greater sensitivity to the needs of developmentally disabled individuals.
Cultural Respect: Promote self-respect and mutual regard among residents, families, and staff of diverse racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

20. Intervention Specialist Roles and Responsibilities

Activity Development: Create and conduct structured activities and curricula to improve students’ academic abilities and develop skills to meet social and emotional challenges.
Academic Support: Provide academic assistance and grade-level tutoring.
Enrichment Implementation: Develop and implement enrichment activities to enhance learning and skills, addressing topics such as anger management, social skills, impulse control, conflict resolution, and independent living skills.
Student Engagement: Assist students through activities that promote their interests.
Group Supervision: Provide supervision to groups of students, utilizing appropriate behavior modification techniques and structured guidance.
Skill Training: Provide skill training and other assistance to emotionally disturbed consumers and their families.
Crisis Response: Respond to requests for crisis intervention, consultation, and support from the person served, family members, community-based service providers, and state agencies to resolve crises involving children and adults experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis.
Assessment Coordination: Determine the need for a face-to-face assessment and negotiate a meeting site convenient for the individual that ensures safety for all involved.
Crisis Communication: Communicate directly with persons experiencing a crisis to assess mental status, current level of functioning, and the person's wishes and goals for crisis resolution.
Stabilization Planning: Develop a crisis stabilization plan with the person served and family or guardian, if involved, based on a comprehensive crisis assessment that includes mental status and risk assessments.
Protective Intervention: Request protective custody interventions by law enforcement personnel to resolve potentially life-threatening situations.
Hospitalization Facilitation: Facilitate voluntary or involuntary hospitalization in accordance with state regulations.
Alternative Solutions: Facilitate the use of alternatives to hospitalization, including voluntary admission to crisis stabilization units.
Follow-Up Planning: Develop and participate in the implementation of a crisis follow-up treatment plan by providing intervention services, including brief case management and aftercare.