Behavior Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

Experienced Behavior Interventionist – Immediate School Assignment

Communication A to Z
Location: Pasadena, California
Monday–Friday | School-Day Schedule
Pay: 20.00 and up depending on experience

Immediate Opening in Pasadena

Communication A to Z is seeking an experienced, dependable, and confident

Behavior Interventionist for an immediate assignment supporting a student in a school setting in Pasadena.

This student requires consistent behavioral support from someone who can remain calm, establish appropriate boundaries, follow a structured behavior plan, and respond professionally when behavior becomes challenging.

This is not an entry-level assignment. Applicants must have previous direct experience supporting children, adolescents, or adults with autism, developmental disabilities, mental health needs, or significant behavioral challenges.

School experience is preferred but is not required. Relevant experience may have been gained in:

• Public or nonpublic schools
• Special education classrooms
• Residential facilities or group homes
• Behavioral health programs
• Mental health programs
• Day programs
• Community-based services
• Crisis programs
• Direct support or caregiving positions involving challenging behavior

Additional training and assignment-specific support will be provided.

Make a Meaningful Difference

At Communication A to Z, we believe behavior is communication.

We do not focus only on stopping behavior. We work to understand the student, identify triggers and barriers, strengthen communication, teach meaningful replacement skills, and help the student participate successfully in school.

The right Behavior Interventionist can make the difference between a student being repeatedly removed from instruction and a student learning how to remain safe, communicate, regulate emotions, and succeed.

Position Responsibilities

The Behavior Interventionist will:

• Provide direct one-to-one behavioral support during the school day
• Develop a positive, professional, and appropriately structured relationship with the student
• Follow the student’s Individualized Education Program, behavior intervention plan, safety plan, and daily schedule
• Implement proactive strategies before behavior escalates
• Recognize triggers, setting events, behavioral precursors, and early signs of distress
• Teach functional communication, coping skills, requesting assistance, requesting breaks, waiting, and other replacement behaviors
• Use positive reinforcement consistently and appropriately
• Redirect unsafe or disruptive behavior calmly and respectfully
• Support the student during classroom instruction, transitions, breaks, meals, physical education, and other school activities
• Maintain required supervision and remain attentive throughout the assignment
• Collect accurate behavioral and skill-acquisition data
• Complete clear and timely daily documentation
• Communicate concerns and significant changes promptly
• Work collaboratively with teachers, school staff, supervisors, and the student’s support team
• Participate in training, supervision, team meetings, and performance feedback
• Follow all confidentiality, student-safety, school district, and company requirements
• Protect the dignity, privacy, and rights of the student at all times

Behavioral Support Experience Required

Applicants should have experience responding to one or more of the following:

• Physical aggression
• Self-injurious behavior
• Elopement or attempts to leave supervised areas
• Property destruction
• Emotional or verbal escalation
• Refusal or difficulty with transitions
• Impulsive or unsafe behavior
• Significant communication difficulties
• Difficulty tolerating limits, waiting, or changes in routine
• Other behaviors that interfere with safety, learning, or participation

Applicants must be able to remain calm, think clearly, and follow the student’s behavior and safety plans during challenging situations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least 18 years of age
• Previous hands-on experience working with individuals with disabilities, behavioral challenges, or mental health needs
• Ability to describe prior responsibilities involving behavioral support
• Ability to pass required criminal background and school clearances
• Reliable transportation to Pasadena
• Dependable attendance and punctuality
• Ability to follow written behavior plans and verbal directions
• Ability to collect behavioral data and complete accurate daily notes
• Ability to communicate professionally with school personnel and supervisors
• Willingness to receive coaching, supervision, and corrective feedback
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Ability to remain attentive and engaged throughout the school day

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous school-based behavioral support experience
• Experience in special education
• Experience working with autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Experience supporting students with significant behavior
• Registered Behavior Technician certification
• Crisis prevention or de-escalation training
• CPR and First Aid certification
• College coursework in psychology, behavioral science, education, child development, social work, sociology, nursing, or a related field

Preferred certifications are helpful but are not required. Training may be provided based on the assignment.

Physical and Safety Requirements

Depending on the student’s needs, the Behavior Interventionist may be required to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods
• Move throughout classrooms and the school campus
• Bend, kneel, sit on the floor, or participate in student activities
• Respond promptly if the student attempts to leave a supervised area
• Maintain close visual or proximity supervision
• Participate in approved crisis-prevention and safety training
• Use approved least-restrictive safety procedures during emergencies
• Work near a student who may engage in aggression, property destruction, elopement, or other unsafe behavior
• Provide basic ADL care including hygiene needs

Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law.

Schedule and Additional Opportunities

This is a Monday-through-Friday school assignment during regular school hours.

Anticipated schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 2:30 pm
Assignment location: Pasadena, California

Start date: As soon as screening and required clearances are completed

Communication A to Z also provides behavioral services in residential, community-based, and other educational settings. Qualified employees may have opportunities for additional assignments based on their experience, availability, and location.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

• Has real experience working with challenging behavior
• Is confident without being controlling or confrontational
• Understands that behavior should not be taken personally
• Can be calm, firm, respectful, and consistent
• Shows up every day and arrives on time
• Follows the behavior plan instead of improvising
• Pays attention to early signs of escalation
• Reports concerns instead of ignoring them
• Accepts feedback and works as part of a professional team
• Believes students with significant behavioral needs are capable of learning and succeeding

About Communication A to Z

Communication A to Z provides behavioral, educational, clinical, residential, and community-based support to individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health needs, communication difficulties, and complex behavioral challenges.

Our approach is person-centered, trauma-informed, and grounded in positive behavioral support.

We begin by understanding the person, identifying barriers, strengthening communication, building skills, promoting independence, and creating opportunities for lifelong success.

Apply Today

Please submit a current resume that clearly describes your experience working with individuals with disabilities, special needs, behavioral challenges, mental health needs, or significant support needs.

Qualified applicants will be contacted regarding the interview, screening, clearance, training, and assignment process.

Communication A to Z is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics. Employees must maintain professional conduct, protect confidential information, and comply with all company and school district requirements.