Registered Behavior Technician

If you’re looking for an opportunity to transform the lives of poor and homeless men, women, and children in your community, we may have a job for you. Since 1972, Metropolitan Ministries has been providing life-changing solutions for those who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless in Tampa Bay. We are a grassroots, donor, and volunteer-fueled community nonprofit serving families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Hernando counties with compassion, practical help, and a willingness to make a huge difference.

About the role

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) will work with CREATE early-learning and elementary-age children in group, small group, and individual settings for CREATE therapeutic programming within the therapeutic after-school and out-of-school environment, serving homeless children and families in our onsite housing programs. This position operates within a grant-funded program model rather than an insurance-based service model. Services are delivered in a structured setting serving all CREATE children, allowing for consistent scheduling, reliable hours, and continuity of care without service interruptions due to client cancellations.

The RBT’s goal is to implement and monitor group interventions and individual behavioral protocols as outlined by the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA/BCaBA) and in conjunction with multiple disciplines to assure a calm and nurturing environment. The Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) will be trained in ABA techniques through individual supervision, modeling, and team training to implement appropriate interventions, while coordinating and collaborating with other staff members and modeling natural supports (such as family members and teachers) under the supervision of a BCBA/BCaBA.

Responsibilities

• Observes and identifies the functions of behavior of individuals in a group setting, offering caregivers and staff tools that promote pro-social skill development and positive interactions.
• Utilizes Trauma-Informed Behavior Support (TIBS) and Positive Behavior Supports as interventions with trauma-informed care principles to help explain the etiology of behavior, decrease reactivity, help create an environment of empathy and attunement, and promote positive relationships and pro-social skill building in a group residential setting for children.
• Implements behavior protocols, including training sessions, overall procedures, informal procedures or protocols, and the crisis intervention plan, if any, under the supervision of a BCBA/BCaBA.
• Provides parents with information about how to implement their child’s behavior plan at home and works with children under the supervision of the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA/BCaBA).
• Models acquisition and functional replacement skills and crisis techniques to staff, parents, and other personnel, under the direction of the BCBA/BCaBA.
• Directs the recreational and leisure skills of the individuals served, providing encouragement to stay active, develop skills, build social skills, and take advantage of available training opportunities.
• Observes, provides feedback, and appropriately models for staff/natural supports implementation of techniques, skills, and procedures.
• Problem-solves and/or communicates with direct supervisor(s) regarding any observed discrepancies and provides positive reinforcement, including positive feedback and functional replacement skills, while identifying areas for improvement and offering additional opportunities to implement.
• Completes all required documentation, including incident reports, weekly notes, behavioral data sheets, training data sheets, support data sheets, and all relevant data collection, both daily and weekly, in an accurate and timely manner. Data is to be collected, analyzed, and summarized to monitor the intervention's success.
• Assists with the completion of Preference Assessments, Functional Behavior Assessments, outcome-based assessments, and behavior interventions, under the supervision of the BCBA/BCaBA.
• Maintains active Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification by:
  • Working within the ‘RBT Ethics Code’.
  • Completing a minimum of 50% of worked hours a week directly with children in their care.
  • Planning social groups, visual aids for all age groups as directed, and completing other admin tasks as needed by the program to ensure success.
  • Updating required and collected data into trackers to make meaningful decisions.
  • Acting within the Scope of Competency by implementing behavior-analytic services and strategies within the scope of their training and demonstrated competency.
  • Only designing, modifying, or implementing intervention procedures with direction from a BCBA/BCaBA.
  • Seeking supervision when encountering unfamiliar procedures or behaviors.
• Maintains supervision requirements by:
  • Attending all scheduled supervision sessions.
  • Maintaining a minimum of 5% supervision of total hours worked monthly, in accordance with RBT requirements.
  • Being responsive to feedback and demonstrating implementation of feedback in practice.
• Follows documentation timelines:
  • Behavior Incident Reports (BIRs) must be completed the same day as the incident.
  • Treatment/session notes must be completed within 24 hours of service delivery.
  • All documentation must be accurate, objective, and completed in a timely manner.
• Complies with direction and delegation by:
  • Following clinical direction provided by the BCBA/BCaBA at all times.
  • Not performing duties outside of the RBT role that conflict with RBT guidelines or assigned behavioral responsibilities.
  • Communicating any requests to perform non-RBT duties to the BCBA/BCaBA for clarification.
• Ensures data collection and integrity by:
  • Collecting data as directed by the BCBA/BCaBA using defined measurement procedures without falsifying, estimating, or omitting data.
  • Ensuring data is entered accurately and within required timelines to support decision-making.
• Maintains professional conduct and accountability by:
  • Accepting and implementing feedback from supervisors.
  • Communicating professionally with team members, caregivers, and leadership.
  • Maintaining client dignity and confidentiality at all times.
• Participates in Crisis Management training when offered and as required by the program, implementing crisis management procedures with fidelity as trained and directed by the BCBA/BCaBA.
• Maintains certification and credential by:
  • If certification expires, reinstating active certification within 30 calendar days. Failure to restore certification within 30 days may result in removal from role or further disciplinary action.
• Meets personal goals and actively contributes to the achievement of team and organizational targets/goals as stated on the KPI and in the annual plan.
• Attends required staff meetings and ongoing trainings.

Requirements

• A minimum of a high school diploma and one year of experience in the field.
• Direct experience working with children and parents required.
• RBT certification and at least 1 year of experience required.
• Bilingual preferred.

Skills

• Ability to work effectively with children and parents, representing and communicating their status and progress to small groups and professionals within a network comprised of the Hillsborough County School District, Metropolitan Ministries service providers, and applicable and related medical social service providers in the surrounding community.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team framework and implement ABA interventions in a group setting.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Dependability and consistent transportation.
• Maturity and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences in clients served.
• Ability to handle job-related matters in a professional, diplomatic, and confidential manner.
• Flexibility and willingness to work with minimal supervision, yet able to accept direction.
• Well-organized and detail-oriented.
• Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Access, Word, and Excel.
• Heart for ministry and comfort working with poor and homeless families and individuals.
• Understanding of poverty, high degree of maturity, and ability to work with low socio-economic and diverse populations facing crisis situations in a professional and diplomatic manner.
• Knowledge of community resources available to the homeless population.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care practices.
• Demonstrates maturity and sensitivity to issues of faith, culture, and other sources of diversity.

Physical Requirements

• Hearing and speaking ability, which allows for effective oral communication.
• Physical and emotional stamina to effectively handle job-related issues and stress.

Benefits

• Salary: $20.00 - $21.00 per hour.
• Group health, vision, and dental coverage at affordable rates, with family coverage available for purchase. Preventative care is 100% covered (free) on all plans.
• PTO offered to full-time and part-time employees: 11 days of PTO and 10 paid holidays annually.
• Option to participate in the 401K plan with employer match.
• $15,000 in employee Life Insurance paid for by Metropolitan Ministries.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Option to participate in supplemental group insurance plans at affordable rates.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Training and career development.
• Discounted membership at the YMCA.

Must pass applicable pre-employment screening and demonstrate legal authorization to work in the United States. Must be available to work during normal after-school hours and for evening meetings as required.