BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TECHNICIAN

DEFINITION:

Under general supervision of a Clinical Psychologist, Staff Clinical 
Psychologist, Behavior Analyst 2 or other supervisor in one of the 
institutions or community service components, under the jurisdiction 
of the Department of Human Services, is responsible for the 
development, implementation, and monitoring of designed 
activities for Behavior Support Programs; 
does related work as required.

NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative 
purposes only.  A particular position using this title may not 
perform all duties listed in this job specification.  Conversely, 
all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Under professional supervision, establishes behavior support 
programs for individual clients and provides leadership to 
therapy program assistants, technicians, and other paraprofessional 
employees engaged in carrying out these programs; instructs such 
employees in performing that portion of their jobs which relates 
directly to these individual behavior support programs.

Instructs and trains personnel involved in various behavior support 
techniques and programs including self help skills, decrease of 
disruptive behavior, increasing positive social interaction, time 
out and differential reinforcement procedures, and reward systems; 
organizes, provides assistance to staff as needed to ensure the 
effectiveness of therapeutic procedures.  

Provides for and instructs staff in the application of crisis intervention 
techniques in treating clients whose behavior threatens their own 
safety or the safety of others.  

As required, requisitions, stores, safeguards, distributes, and 
records behavior support equipment, materials, and supplies; 
advises employees of their proper use.

Takes the measures prescribed for the care, custody, welfare, 
and safety of residents; ensures that areas where behavior 
support interventions are carried out are maintained in a clean, 
neat, and safe condition.  

Maintains and submits essential records, files, and charts of the 
individual progress of each resident involved in behavior support 
programs.

Prepares and submits factual reports of residents¿ participation, 
progress, and change to the immediate supervisor and appropriate 
evaluation and review committees.  

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording and information systems used by the agency, 
office, or related units.

May be required to engage in lifting clients when working in a setting, 
which provides direct services to clients who are non ambulant, or 
who are semi ambulant and/or have severe physical handicaps.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a 
Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Special Education, Sociology, 
Guidance and Counseling, Social Work, or other similar 
behavior science program.

EXPERIENCE:

One (1) year of experience working in rehabilitation or therapeutic 
treatment programs for the mentally ill or developmentally disabled 
involving behavior support or the successful completion of a one 
year training program as a Behavior Support Technician Trainee.

LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver¿s license valid in 
New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

NOTE:  Ability to physically lift, move, and position clients as needed.

SPECIAL NOTE: A Certification as a Board Certified Associate 
Behavior Analyst issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board  will 
be required to advance to the next level in the series.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the problems encountered in performing behavior 
support work with persons confined in institutions for the mentally 
ill or developmentally disabled.

Knowledge of the routine and programs of an institution and 
the practical problems involved in working with the mentally ill 
or developmentally disabled. 

Knowledge of the techniques, materials, and procedures used 
in behavior support work, and of the objectives and limitations 
of such activities. 

Ability to learn quickly from oral and written instructions and 
demonstrations.

Ability to instruct staff in the application of crisis intervention 
techniques.

Ability to comprehend the purposes of the behavior support 
program and the problems of residents confined in an institution.

Ability to take the lead in a group of employees acting as 
assistants in a behavior support program.

Ability to train personnel to assist in the utilization of behavior 
support techniques, including time out and differential reinforcement 
procedures, reward systems, and other measures.

Ability to train personnel to assist in the conduct of programs of 
behavior support designed to foster self help skills, decrease 
disruptive behavior, and increase positive social interaction, or 
to modify other behavior which may be detrimental to the individual.  

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships 
with supervisors, professional staff, work assistants, other employees, 
and residents.  

Ability to prepare accurate records of residents¿ progress, 
materials used, and other necessary reports.

Ability to learn to utilize various type of electronic and/or manual 
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, 
or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in 
English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.  
American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered 
as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long 
as they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without 
reasonable accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be made 
because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons 
may not be eligible.

CODE:  18/P19 -  03646                 MER                  07/31/2010