What are the responsibilities and job description for the Behavioral Health Technician position at Catholic Social Services?
POSITION SUMMARY
Behavioral Health Technicians support the daily operations at the Sister Rosalie Center for Recovery, CSS’s new low-level residential substance use treatment program at Brother Francis Shelter. This role helps maintain a safe, structured, and supportive environment by monitoring client safety, completing room and hourly checks, providing in-the-moment support to clients, and assisting with routine facility tasks and needs of the program.
ABOUT US
CSS is a Catholic human and social services agency and behavioral health care provider that welcomes people of all faiths through its programs and employment. We provide help for our Alaskan neighbors through a variety of supportive service programs, including emergency shelter, food stability, housing, case management, and refugee assistance. CSS empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, CSS is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA), which recognizes that CSS provides high quality services that meet best practice standards in the social service field.
Mission: To promote the physical, spiritual and mental welfare of persons in need in the community. This mission is achieved by:
- Offering charitable assistance to those in need, especially persons who are poor
- Developing and conducting programs to strengthen and support families and the dignity of the human spirit
- Administering the Corporal Works of Mercy and Gospel of Jesus Christ as defined by the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and envisioned by the traditional concepts of Catholic Social Teaching and Action through the laity
- And advocating for social justice for the common good of all
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT
Catholic Social Services is launching the Sister Rosalie Center for Recovery, a new 10-bed ASAM Level 3.1 low-intensity residential substance use disorder treatment program located on the Brother Francis Shelter campus in Anchorage, Alaska. This voluntary program will serve adults experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness who are seeking support for substance use disorders, co-occurring behavioral health needs, and long-term recovery.
The program is designed to reduce barriers to treatment by bringing residential recovery services directly into a trusted shelter-based setting. Participants will have access to a coordinated team providing substance use treatment, behavioral health support, peer support, case management, recovery planning, and housing-focused services. By integrating treatment with shelter, medical, behavioral health, and housing supports, the program creates a practical and compassionate pathway from crisis and homelessness toward recovery, stability, and long-term wellness.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Competencies:
- Maintains professional boundaries and uses respectful, trauma-informed communication with clients, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
- Responds calmly and appropriately to client needs, behavioral concerns, conflict, crisis situations, and other unexpected events.
- Supports a safe and structured residential environment by consistently following program routines, safety procedures, and documentation expectations.
- Demonstrates reliability, sound judgment, and accountability when working independently during assigned shifts.
- Works collaboratively with the treatment team and communicates timely, relevant information about client needs, safety concerns, and program operations.
- Maintains confidentiality and protects client privacy in accordance with agency policy, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2 requirements.
Knowledge:
- Basic understanding of substance use disorders, recovery-oriented services, relapse prevention, and co-occurring behavioral health needs.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and person-centered support.
- Understanding of residential program expectations, client rights, mandated reporting, incident reporting, and safety procedures.
- Awareness of the needs of adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability and the barriers they may face in treatment and recovery.
Skills:
- Ability to complete room checks, hourly checks, safety monitoring, and other assigned shift responsibilities accurately and consistently.
- Ability to provide in-the-moment support, encouragement, redirection, and problem-solving assistance to clients in a respectful and nonjudgmental manner.
- Ability to observe and document client behavior, safety concerns, incidents, and relevant program updates clearly and objectively.
- Ability to assist with daily program routines, client chores, meal support, facility upkeep, and other tasks needed to maintain a clean and safe environment.
- Ability to work flexible shifts, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide awake, on-site coverage and support the daily operations of the low-level residential substance use treatment program.
Monitor the safety, whereabouts, and general wellness of clients throughout assigned shifts, including completing room checks, hourly checks, and related documentation.
Maintain a safe, structured, substance-free, and recovery-oriented environment by following program rules, safety procedures, and shift routines.
Provide respectful, trauma-informed, in-the-moment support, redirection, encouragement, and problem-solving assistance to clients.
Observe and communicate client behavior, needs, incidents, safety concerns, and relevant program updates to the treatment team in a timely and objective manner.
Respond to urgent client needs, behavioral concerns, conflict, medical concerns, psychiatric concerns, and crisis situations according to program procedures, including contacting supervisory staff or emergency services when appropriate.
Assist with daily program routines, including meals, chores, room upkeep, laundry, group transitions, scheduled activities, and other activities of daily living.
Support client engagement in treatment, recovery activities, peer support, case management, and other scheduled program services.
Conduct client searches, room checks, drug screenings, and safety-related procedures only as assigned and in accordance with agency policy, client rights, confidentiality requirements, and trauma-informed practices.
Maintain accurate, timely, and objective shift notes, incident reports, safety documentation, and other required program records.
Help maintain the cleanliness, order, and safety of the residential environment by completing routine facility tasks and reporting maintenance or safety concerns.
Protect client confidentiality and comply with agency policies, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, mandated reporting requirements, and all applicable program standards.
Participate in required staff meetings, supervision, training, shift handoffs, and team communication to support continuity of care and program operations.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education Requirement: High School Diploma or GED.
Minimum Experience Qualification: One (1) year of experience in human services, customer service or related experience.
A relevant combination of education and experience may be considered.
Ability to make sound decisions based on information available. Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, weekend hours, and holidays.
Ability to safely transport clients in agencies vehicles if required. Ability to participate in indoor/outdoor events with clients.
A valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and reliable personal vehicle are required. Employees must use their personal vehicle for work-related travel, including meeting with clients and partners. Employees may begin employment with a valid out-of-state driver’s license but must obtain a valid Alaska driver’s license within 90 days of their date of hire.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work environment: Work is performed in a residential treatment environment and may include interaction with participants experiencing behavioral health crises, substance use disorders, or emotional distress. Frequent walking, standing, and movement throughout the facility are required.
Travel out of Alaska is rare. Occasional travel within Anchorage is required.
Location the Sister Rosalie Center for Recovery located at 1021 E 3rd Ave, Anchorage AK 99501
These positions start 1/04/2027
7 positions
2 8am - 49m
3 4pm - 12am
2 12am - 8am
Days off to be determined
Salary : $19 - $23