Behavior Technician

Title: Behavior Technician

Hiring Range: $37,398-$51,610

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Southeastern VA Training Ctr

Agency Website: https://www.sevtc.dbhds.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Southeastern Virginia Training Center is a partner in the community-based system of supports for persons with intellectual disabilities and related developmental disabilities and their families.

The Behavior Technicians support the needs of the facility by providing person-centered supports, under the direction of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, in collaboration with the Personal support team (PST) members and related clinical services. To provide assistance with behavioral and support services to assigned individuals including: Medication histories; data collection; data/chart analysis; staff training; monitoring of behavior support programs; support and guidance related to adaptive skills training; direct assistance during crisis. To provide on-going specialized services for individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities that includes assisting with comprehensive, efficient, effective, collaborative, and person-centered psychological/behavioral services.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following job duties:
•Promote client socialization, self-care and development utilizing person centered treatment plans to guide/direct, strengths and weaknesses: motivate independence and self-sufficiency among ID/MH.
•Interact with assigned individuals according to treatment plan to assist in meeting individual/unit goals.
•Assist with maintaining a safe, clean and therapeutic environment by actions and/or notifications as required.
•Observe client behavior within milieu and report changes to supervisor.
•Assist with interventions (e.g. safety holds and/or restraints) as required.
•Collaborate with personal support team as required for interventions.
•Document observations/interventions according to provided guidelines.
•Share observations with supervisor and personal support team to assist with enhancing client care/treatment plan implementation/revision.
•Attend Personal support team meetings and actively provide pertinent information for client’s plan.
•Participate in orientation of new employees and by assisting in identification/ provision of in-service and continuing education.
•Demonstrate ability to give, accept and appropriately respond to feedback by providing support and focused solution-based feedback.
•Meets regularly with the Lead Behavior Specialist to review assessment procedures and develop treatment recommendations.
•Reviewing department documentation for quality compliance.
•Assists Behavior Specialist and support Personal Support Teams in developing behavioral interventions to address problematic behaviors, to teach skill building, and improve overall quality of life.
•Assist Behavioral Specialist with data collection as-needed.
•Respond to crises to assist and provide guidance and support to SEVTC staff and assigned individuals.
•Work flex shifts as assigned to be available at times when observations, staff training, and treatment plan monitoring needs to occur. Overtime is a requirement as needed.

This position is considered essential personnel and would be required to work in the event of an emergency or facility need. All SEVTC positions are required to work different shifts and/or overtime as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

Ability to read, write and speak fluently in English language. Ability to follow written and oral instructions. Experience in following behavior support plans in addition to ISP’s to include documentation and making suggestions for improvement and strategies. Working knowledge of characteristics (and programs for treatment) of mental health disorders to include data collection and detailed ID note documentation. Ability to describe client observations orally and in writing. Knowledge of and ability to observe and/or instruct individuals with a variety of mental disorders/individual disabilities in basic self help, independent living, Day Support, Vocational and social skills. Ability to complete designated orientation training to include home orientation, TOVA and AED/CPR. Ability to observe and oversee individuals in recreational/social/day support and vocation activities, and document observations. Ability to work with multiple individuals not just one to one, in a high intensive behavioral home setting. Ability to support and train other staff on how to de-escalate behaviors and prioritize safety for all individuals. Knowledge of recovery and de-escalation core principles and practices. Ability to remain calm in crisis settings while utilizing appropriate behavior techniques to return individuals to base line.

Must be computer literate, including email experience, and able to accurately utilize electronic health records for data entry and retrieval.

Must have some scheduling flexibility to accommodate staffing and training needs for individuals that reside here.


Minimum Experience: Considerable experience in a direct care setting for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance abuse. Experience with implementation of recovery principles and techniques for de-escalation.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in criminology, psychology, rehabilitation services, social services, or related human services field preferred.

Experience in a hospital or residential setting is preferred.

Minimum of one year of supervisory, management or training experience preferred.

Special Instructions: 

RMS provides a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS account to check the status of your application for this position.

Southeastern Virginia Training Center only accepts online applications via PAGEUP. Resumes and other documents may accompany the application but will not serve as a substitute for an application. Faxed, e-mailed or mailed applications will not be accepted. Please refer to your PAGEUP account for the status of your application and this position. This posting will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days.


Southeastern Virginia Training Center offers a comprehensive benefit package to include your choice of four health insurance plans, paid life insurance and retirement plans, 12 paid holidays, annual and sick leave.


Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx
, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at 757-424-8545 for assistance. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.

Southeastern Virginia Training Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics or disability.


DBHDS is a healthcare organization and must comply with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (federal CMS) guidance on Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care staff Vaccination Regulation which requires vaccination of all employees or an exemption. A job offer of employment is contingent upon the candidate meeting these guidelines as a condition of employment.

Contact Information:

Name: DaShanta White, HR Recruiter

Phone: 757-424-8545

Email: dashanta.white@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.