Behavior Technician

Sasha Bruce; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The Behavior Modification Technician at Sasha Bruce Therapeutic Group Home in Washington, DC reports to the Clinician and Program Director and provides behavioral supports for youth in foster care, using positive reinforcement and crisis intervention.

You will help create Behavior Modification and Management Plans, support structured programming, and document progress within 24–48 hours while coordinating with social workers and families to ensure safe, consistent care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related Human Services field preferred, or at least 2 years’ experience.
• Competency in crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Work with Clinician to create Behavior Modification and Management Plans for clients.
• Support structured programming targeting coping skills, mental health and wellbeing; assist clinician in trainings.
• Employ behavior management techniques to reinforce appropriate behaviors in the group home.
• Anticipate and respond quickly to immediate needs and escalating behaviors.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation to stabilize youth and foster safety.
• Regularly connect with social workers, probation officers and families to support residents.
• Complete service documentation in client records within 24–48 hours; maintain confidential files.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and supervision; provide on-call coverage as needed.
• Must support Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s mission to end youth homelessness, and promote racial equity and inclusion.

Skills

Crisis intervention

De-escalation

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related Human Services field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Washington, DC, US

8 days ago Requisition ID: 1775

Salary Range: $55,000.00 To $55,000.00 Annually

About Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY)

Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY) is the leading provider of homeless youth services in the DC Region. Through the holistic integration of its Pillars of Opportunity, Sasha Bruce is able to provide safe homes, life skills, and workforce development to meet the unique needs of homeless youth. For more than 45 years, Sasha Bruce has implemented innovative interventions aimed at bringing an end to youth homelessness in the DC region. Today, its programs in DC and Prince George’s County, MD, reach over 6,500 runaway, homeless, abused, and neglected youth, and their families.

About The SBY Therapeutic Group Home

The Sasha Bruce Therapeutic Group Home

The Sasha Bruce Therapeutic Group Home is one of Sasha Bruce’s newest programs serving children and youth ages 13-21 from foster care who present with an Axis 1 diagnosis. The program has a high level of structure, supervision, behavior management/modification, and clinical intervention due to the nature of the emotional and behavioral conditions.

Position Summary

The Behavior Modification Technician will report to the Clinician regarding clinical matters and the Program Director as it relates to program operations of the Sasha Bruce Therapeutic Group Home. The Behavior Modification Technician will provide behavioral support for clients, employing positive reinforcement strategies and crisis intervention supports.

Qualifications

• ● License/Certification: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, psychology or another relevant Human Services field preferred OR at least 2 years’ experience in the human service field preferably working with adolescents and/or young adults required;
• ● Competency in crisis intervention and de-escalation;
• ● Strong communication and organizational skills required; and,
• ● This is a full-time, exempt level position. All candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation; pass the required clearances; and provide any additional information regarding previous records, if necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Clinician in creating the Behavior Modification and Management Plans for clients in programming;
• Support and facilitate structured programming targeted at coping skills, mental health and wellbeing and other relevant topics; support the Clinician in their anger management trainings and intervention;
• Employ behavior management techniques to assist with client behavior issues that teach and reinforce appropriate behaviors in the group home; employ appropriate positive reinforcement strategies;
• Anticipate and respond quickly and appropriately to immediate needs of youth and escalating behaviors;
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to stabilize clients in order to foster a safe environment;
• Supporting other staff by providing tools to assist clients in developing routines and structures;
• Regularly connects with Social Workers, probation officers and other collateral contacts for residents in order to maintain an open line of communication and to better support their needs; also connects with family members in order to create positive, collaborative relations;
• Complete service documentation in client case records within 24-48 hours of the service; maintain accurate, complete, and confidential case files, written documentation, reports to track client progress and outcomes and all other necessary clinical documentation; supports file audits;
• Participate in regular biweekly team consultation meetings with the Clinician, Linkage to Care Coordinator, case manager, and other staff working with shared clients;
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, conferences, regular supervision and community outreach events as required;
• Provides on-call support and coverage when needed and available;
• Other duties as assigned; and,
• Must have a commitment to ending youth homelessness, racial equity, inclusion, and issues central to Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s mission.