Behavioral Support Technician | Crisis Services

Location: Springfield, Missouri
Pay: Starting at $23.00/hour, with higher starting pay available based on directly related experience
Employment Type: Full-time and part-time opportunities available
Schedule: Flexible scheduling based on program needs; weekend availability is required
Staffing Model: 2 staff supporting 1 individual
Experience: No previous behavioral-health or disability-services experience required; related experience is preferred
Training: Paid training and certifications provided; weekday/daytime availability is required during the first two weeks of employment

Why This Role Matters

Build valuable behavioral-support experience while helping people with disabilities live safer, more independent and meaningful lives.

The Arc of the Ozarks is hiring Behavioral Support Technicians for our Crisis Services team. You'll provide hands-on support to individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and significant behavioral support needs.

Some individuals may experience behavioral escalations, including verbal or physical aggression. You'll receive training in crisis prevention, de-escalation and individualized support strategies—and you will not be handling these situations alone. Our Crisis Services program uses a 2:1 staffing model, with two team members supporting one individual.

This can be a strong opportunity whether you already have experience in human services or are looking to enter the field and build new skills.

What You'll Do

As a Behavioral Support Technician, you'll work alongside another team member to promote safety, independence and skill development.

You will:

• Support daily living skills such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, cleaning, grocery shopping and community activities
• Teach and reinforce communication, coping and independent-living skills
• Follow individualized behavior-support and crisis-prevention plans
• Recognize signs of escalation and use trained verbal de-escalation and redirection strategies
• Provide calm, consistent support during challenging behavioral situations
• Observe and document behaviors, progress and significant events
• Support individuals at home and in the community
• Collaborate with teammates, supervisors and other members of each individual's support team
• Help maintain a safe, respectful and person-centered environment

Schedule / Location / Pay

Starting pay: $23.00 per hour
Experience-based pay: A higher starting wage may be available for candidates with directly related experience.

We have full-time and part-time opportunities available and can offer flexibility when building schedules around program needs and employee availability.

Weekend availability is required for this position.

New employees must also be available during weekday daytime hours for approximately the first two weeks to complete required paid training.

This is an on-site, hands-on support position serving individuals in the Springfield area.

What We're Looking For

Required:

• At least 18 years old
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Weekend availability
• Ability to attend required weekday/daytime training during the first two weeks
• Valid driver's license, legally registered and insured vehicle available for work
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Class E driver's license when required to operate an Arc vehicle
• Ability to follow individualized support and safety plans
• Ability to remain calm, communicate professionally and work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to perform the essential physical functions of the position, including standing, stooping, pushing, pulling and lifting up to 50 pounds

Preferred, but not required:

Previous experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, autism, behavioral or mental-health needs, or significant behavioral support needs.

Related experience may come from direct support, caregiving, behavioral health, ABA, residential services, healthcare, mental health, special education or other human-services settings.

Don't have previous experience? We still encourage you to apply if you're dependable, comfortable learning new skills and interested in meaningful hands-on work.

Paid Training, Growth and Additional Details

We'll provide training designed to help you safely and confidently support the individuals we serve.

Training may include:

• CPR and First Aid
• MANDT verbal and physical de-escalation
• Level One Medication Aide
• Paraclete training
• Individualized behavior-support and safety procedures
• Ongoing professional-development opportunities

Employees may also have access to:

• Experience-based starting wages
• Potential annual wage increases
• Retirement plan with employer match of up to 4% after one year
• Paid training and certifications
• Opportunities for advancement throughout The Arc of the Ozarks

Benefit eligibility may vary based on employment status and hours worked.

Why Join The Arc?

The Arc of the Ozarks has supported people with disabilities throughout southwest Missouri for decades. Our work centers on helping the people we serve develop skills, participate in their communities and live lives that are meaningful to them.

Crisis Services offers the opportunity to do meaningful work while developing experience in behavioral support, developmental disabilities, crisis prevention and person-centered care.

You'll have training, structure and teammates alongside you as you grow in the role.

Ready to Apply?

If you're dependable, calm under pressure, willing to learn and looking for work where your contribution has a direct impact, apply today to join The Arc of the Ozarks Crisis Services team.

Questions about the position? Contact our Talent Acquisition Team at 417-771-3700 or Jobs@thearcoftheozarks.org.