Behavior Support Specialist

Pittsburgh Tomorrow; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Devereux/TCV Community Services seeks multiple Behavior Support Specialists for its STAIRS program, a residential treatment service for youth with autism and developmental disabilities. You will implement treatment plans, supervise residents, and support daily living skills in a structured therapeutic setting.

Join a multidisciplinary team and help reduce challenging behaviors while promoting safety, engagement, and skill development for youth across home, school, and community contexts.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• One year experience in psychiatric residential treatment facility preferred.
• Experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disabilities preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and communicate effectively.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Implement Individualized Positive Behavior Support Plans and Behavioral Health Treatment Plans.
• Provide Direct Care & Supervision during daily activities, leisure time, and outings.
• Support Self-Care & Daily Living Skills for residents with limited independence.
• Preventing and Responding to Challenging Behaviors and crises using approved interventions.
• Facilitate Therapeutic Activities in individual and group sessions.
• Maintain a Safe & Therapeutic Environment promoting structure and well-being.

Skills

Communication skills

Computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Position: Behavior Support Specialist

Pay Range: $20.05 - $23.03 per hour

Available Shifts:

Full Time:

• 7a-3p, Fri-Tue (off Wed/Thur)
• 7a-3p, Wed- Sun (off Mon/Tue)
• 2p-10p, Fri-Tue (off Wed/Thur)
• 2p-10p, Wed- Sun (off Mon/Tue)

Part Time:

• 7a-3p, Sat/Sun (off Mon-Fri)
• 2p-10p, Sat/Sun (off Mon-Fri)
• Flex, 7a-3p and 2p-10p, offering coverage where needed

Location: Homestead area of Pittsburgh, PA

Start a new career with purpose and impact!

We’re excited to begin welcoming new team members as we launch an innovative residential treatment program dedicated to supporting children and adolescents with autism or intellectual disabilities and co-occurring behavioral health needs.As a Behavior Support Specialist, you’ll play a vital role in providing hands-on care, building meaningful relationships, and helping individuals achieve their goals in a safe and supportive environment. You’ll work alongside a compassionate multidisciplinary team, contribute to life-changing progress, and be part of something truly special from the very beginning.

Position Summary:

Devereux/TCV Community Services is seeking multiple Behavior Support Specialists for our new STAIRS program, an intensive residential treatment program for youth with autism and developmental disabilities. The program serves youth with significant behavioral challenges and skill deficits who have not made progress in less restrictive settings.

The Behavior Support Specialist is part of a multidisciplinary treatment team including a child psychiatrist, social worker, nurses, special education staff, behavior analysts, and recreational specialist.Individuals in our program vary in their abilities, with some being non-speaking and having limited interactions and responses to others.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Implement Individualized Positive Behavior Support Plans and Behavioral Health Treatment Plans: Assist in carrying out therapeutic and behavioral strategies and interventions developed by the multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, nurses, and behavior analysts.
• Provide Direct Care & Supervision: Support residents during daily activities, leisure time, and community outings, ensuring safety and engagement.
• Support Self-Care & Daily Living Skills: Aid residents with personal hygiene, toileting, and other functional living skills, especially those with limited independence.
• Preventing and Responding to Challenging Behaviors: Implementing treatment interventions to prevent challenging behaviors as well as strategies to de-escalate challenging behaviors (including self-injury, aggression, elopement) and other crisis situations using approved intervention techniques.
• Facilitate Therapeutic Activities: Assist with individual and group sessions focused on social and communication skills, emotion regulation, daily living skills, leisure and recreational activities.
• Maintain a Safe & Therapeutic Environment: Ensure the physical and emotional well-being of residents by promoting a structured, respectful, and supportive atmosphere.

Being a Behavior Support Specialist at Devereux/TCV has its advantages!

• Transform Lives: Help youth with autism and complex behavioral needs make meaningful progress.
• Team-Based Care: Work alongside a skilled, multidisciplinary team.
• Family Involvement: Empower families through training and active participation.
• Growth Opportunity: Gain valuable experience in intensive behavioral treatment.
• Educational Collaboration: Support skill-building across home, school, and community.

Interested in advancing your career?

Devereux is proud to offer ASCEND - the first career accelerator program exclusively designed to give behavioral healthcare workers - the career guidance, one-on-one coaching, skills and financial assistance you need to reach your full potential. This program includes tuition and student loan repayment!

EDUCATION:

High School Diploma or GED required. Bachelor or higher degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

One year previous experience in a Psychiatric residential treatment facility preferred. One year experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disabilities preferred. Ability to manage multiple tasks.Proficient communication and computer skills.Valid driver’s license must be maintained.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to administer CPR.Ability to administer first aid.Ability to properly restrain adolescent/adult residents.Ability to create and maintain a therapeutic milieu.Regularly requires walking, standing, stooping, bending, and pushing/pulling (1/2 to 3/4 of the workday).Seldom requires sitting.May require lifting up to 50 lbs. (1/4 - 1/2 of the workday). Requires repetitive wrist/hand movement (3/4 to 4/4 of the workday). Range of hearing and vision sufficient to operate standard office machines and communicate with co-workers and stakeholders in person and via telephone. Free of dependency and abuse of illegal or illicit drugs, alcohol, inhalants, or other chemical substances or controlled substances.Often drives a Devereux-TCV vehicle or van.Regularly works inside in areas that are adequately lighted and ventilated (1/2 to 3/4 of work time).Some fluctuation in temperature.Also, regularly works outside.May work in wet conditions (<1/4 of work time)

Devereux has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and maintains policies and procedures to systematically reduce the risk of abuse to occur in our organization. Devereux fosters a culture of reporting abuse, and will cooperate with the authorities to the fullest extent possible.