Behavior Support Specialist

POSTION TITLE: Positive Behavior Support Technician LOCATION: New Albany, IN STATUS: FULL-TIME, HOURLY, NON -EXEMPT PROGRAM: Development Disabilities REPORTS TO: Program Manager INTRODUCTION: Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) is a non-profit organization spanning four states that creates positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through a ministry of service. We provide housing for families, veterans, and low-income seniors. We provide care and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, healing accountability that brings people together with restorative justice, and free HIV testing and education. When Volunteers of America was founded in 1896, "volunteer" referred to anyone who served others as a vocation through a commitment to a mission. Today, we are still staffed by paid, mission-driven professionals working to create positive change and build thriving communities. Flexibility, teamwork, and fun are some of the reasons our employees are proud to work at VOA! We offer a comprehensive benefits package to employees who meet eligibility requirements. Full-Time | Hourly | Non-Exempt Are you the kind of person who can stay calm when things get difficult? Do you believe every person deserves to be seen, respected, and supported with dignity? Are you looking for work that is meaningful, hands-on, and truly makes a difference? Volunteers of America Mid-States is hiring a Positive Behavior Support Technician to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, also known as IDD, in a residential setting in New Albany, Indiana. This is not a desk job. This is not a counseling role. This is not a substance use recovery or peer recovery position. This is heart work, people work, and purpose-driven work. You will be part of a team that helps individuals with developmental disabilities feel safe, build skills, participate in their community, and live with as much independence and dignity as possible. Why This Work Matters Some of the people we support have experienced trauma, communication barriers, autism, co-occurring mental health needs, or significant behavioral challenges. At times, they may communicate through behaviors such as aggression, elopement, self-injury, refusal, or property destruction. Your role is to look beyond the behavior and support the person. As a Positive Behavior Support Technician, you will help create a safe, calm, respectful, and structured environment where individuals can learn, grow, and succeed. You will help teach daily living skills, support personal care needs, encourage positive choices, follow behavior support plans, and help individuals participate in activities that matter to them. The right person for this role understands that behavior is often communication — and that consistency, patience, compassion, and respect can change lives. What You’ll Do In this role, you will provide hands-on support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their home and community. You will: Support individuals with daily routines, personal care, meals, hygiene, activities, and community outings. Help individuals build life skills such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, communication, social skills, community safety, and independence. Follow each person’s Individual Support Plan, Behavior Support Plan, and Individual Specific Training. Use positive behavior support strategies to prevent crisis, reduce challenging behaviors, and teach safer replacement skills. Stay calm and respond professionally when individuals experience behavioral or emotional challenges. Support individuals who may display physical aggression, self-injurious behavior, elopement, property destruction, or other high-intensity behaviors. Provide active supervision and meaningful engagement throughout the shift. Transport individuals using agency vehicles for appointments, activities, and community involvement. Complete daily documentation, behavior data collection, incident reports, and other required records. Communicate concerns, changes, medical needs, behavioral needs, safety concerns, and home needs to the supervisor, nurse, Behavior Consultant, or appropriate team member. Assist with medication administration after successful training by a VOA nurse. Help maintain a clean, safe, welcoming, and respectful home environment. Most importantly, you will help each person feel valued, supported, and included. This Role May Be a Great Fit If You Have Worked As A: Direct Support Professional (DSP) Behavior Technician Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) ABA Support Staff Group Home Staff Residential Support Staff IDD Support Staff Autism Support Staff Waiver Services Staff Caregiver for individuals with developmental disabilities Personal Care Assistant Behavioral Health Support Staff working with individuals with IDD Experience is helpful, but heart, patience, dependability, and the willingness to learn are just as important. What We’re Looking For We are looking for someone who is dependable, patient, calm under pressure, and committed to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full and meaningful lives. You should have: A high school diploma or GED preferred, but not required. A valid driver’s license. Experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities preferred. Experience supporting individuals with behavioral needs, autism, co-occurring mental health diagnoses, or high-intensity support needs preferred. Willingness to assist with personal care, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene. Ability to remain calm and professional during crisis situations. Ability to follow written plans, instructions, and behavior support strategies. Ability to complete required documentation using electronic systems. Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect the dignity and privacy of the people supported. Ability to stoop, kneel, and lift up to 25 pounds safely. Willingness to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the individuals supported. What Makes Someone Successful in This Role The best Positive Behavior Support Technicians are not people who simply “watch” the individuals in the home. They are active, engaged, observant, and intentional. You may be successful in this role if you: Stay calm when others are upset. Can follow a plan even when the day becomes challenging. Believe people deserve respect, even during difficult moments. Are willing to provide personal care with dignity. Understand that small progress is still progress. Can build trust through consistency. Are comfortable working in a home environment. Can balance compassion with healthy boundaries. Want your work to matter beyond a paycheck. Before You Apply This position is part of our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities residential program. This role is not part of our Recovery program. It is not a peer recovery position. It is not a substance use counseling position. It is not a case management position. This is a direct support and behavior support role working hands-on with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting. If you are passionate about helping people with IDD live safely, successfully, and with dignity, we would love to hear from you. Application Screening Questions Please answer the following questions when applying: This position is in our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities residential program. Are you applying specifically to work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities? This is not a substance use recovery, peer recovery, counseling, or case management position. Do you understand that this role provides hands-on support in an IDD residential setting? Do you have experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities? If yes, please briefly describe your experience. Do you have experience working as a Direct Support Professional, DSP, Behavior Technician, Registered Behavior Technician, RBT, ABA support staff, residential support staff, group home staff, or caregiver for individuals with developmental disabilities? Are you willing and able to assist with personal care, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene? Are you comfortable supporting individuals who may display physical aggression, elopement, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, or other challenging behaviors? Are you able to stay calm, follow a Behavior Support Plan, and use positive behavior support strategies during a crisis situation? Do you have a valid driver’s license and are you willing to transport individuals using an agency vehicle? Are you willing to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the individuals supported? Why are you interested in working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities? We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.