Behavior Technician

Centria Autism · Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States

juniorfull timeunknown
Apply on Centria Autism’s site →

Role at a Glance

Location: Saint Joseph, MI (on-site). Pay: $17–$20/hr. Experience required: none — full training provided. Education floor: high school diploma or GED. Physical demands: active; lifting up to 50 lbs. Supervisor: Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Career path: structured progression within the Applied Behavior Analysis field. Must be 18+, pass background check, and obtain CPR/First Aid certification.

What This Role Is About

Centria Autism is adding Behavior Technicians to its team in Saint Joseph, Michigan. This is a direct-care, in-person position: you will spend your days working one-on-one with children on the autism spectrum, carrying out individualized therapy plans built by a BCBA using Applied Behavior Analysis principles. Sessions focus on building communication, social, and daily living skills and reducing behaviors that get in the way of learning. No prior clinical experience is expected — Centria trains every new hire from the ground up.

About Centria Autism

Centria Autism is a behavioral health provider focused exclusively on ABA therapy for children diagnosed with autism. The organization structures clinical oversight around licensed BCBAs who design and monitor every client's intervention plan, with Behavior Technicians as the hands-on delivery layer. Centria offers employees a defined progression track within the behavioral analysis field — including pathways that can lead toward RBT and higher clinical credentials — and supports staff wellness through an Employee Assistance Program. The company describes its culture as mission-driven, centered on measurable developmental outcomes for the children it serves.

What You Will Do Day to Day

  • Deliver one-on-one ABA therapy sessions to children with autism in client settings
  • Follow individualized behavior intervention plans developed and overseen by a supervising BCBA
  • Use evidence-based strategies to build communication, social interaction, and daily living skills
  • Apply approved techniques to reduce interfering or challenging behaviors during sessions
  • Track session data and maintain accurate records to support BCBA clinical reviews
  • Engage actively alongside your client — sessions involve sustained physical movement and presence
  • Communicate observations to the clinical team that may affect a child's ongoing plan

Must-Have Qualifications

  • 18 years of age or older
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Genuine commitment to supporting children with autism and complex behavioral needs
  • Patient, empathetic, and composed under unpredictable or challenging conditions
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a supervised clinical team
  • Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification before working with clients
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test within the past year, or willingness to obtain one
  • Ability to pass a pre-employment background check
  • Physical capability to move between sitting, standing, squatting, bending, kneeling, and crouching, and to lift and carry up to 50 lbs

Skills Context and Career Entry Point

This is a genuine entry-level position — prior experience in ABA, behavioral health, or childcare is not required, and Centria trains every new hire from scratch. The competencies you must already bring are interpersonal: patience, emotional steadiness under unpredictable conditions, and authentic motivation to support children with complex needs. Physical stamina is a real job requirement, not boilerplate — sessions are active and demanding. For candidates interested in advancing, this role sits at the base of a structured ABA career ladder, with a clear next step toward Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification under ongoing BCBA supervision.

Pay and Total Compensation

Centria Autism lists a pay range of $17.00–$20.00 per hour for this position. The company notes that actual placement within that band depends on qualifications, experience, and performance — the range reflects the full spread of what Centria reasonably expects to pay, not a guaranteed starting figure. Additional compensation details such as overtime eligibility, paid time off, or bonuses are not specified in the posting. Candidates seeking a full picture of total compensation should ask during the interview process. Non-cash benefits include an Employee Assistance Program and retail partner discounts through Benefit Hub.

What Centria Offers

  • Structured career path within the Applied Behavior Analysis field, with progression potential toward RBT certification and beyond
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) covering mental health support and counseling services
  • Retail and service discounts through the Benefit Hub partner network
  • Direct, session-by-session impact on the development and quality of life of children with autism

Location and Work Setup

This role is based in Saint Joseph, Michigan and is entirely on-site — client sessions are conducted in person, making remote work inapplicable. The nature of the work involves traveling to client locations within the local service area. The posting does not mention relocation assistance or visa sponsorship; candidates who require either should confirm availability directly with Centria Autism before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need prior ABA or behavioral health experience to apply?

No. Centria Autism provides comprehensive training for all new Behavior Technicians. The posting explicitly states that experience is not required — what matters most is your genuine motivation to work with children who have complex needs.

What is the hourly pay for this Behavior Technician role?

Centria lists a pay range of $17.00 to $20.00 per hour. Placement within that range varies based on qualifications and experience, per the company's stated compensation policy.

How physically demanding is this job?

It is an active, physical role. You should expect to frequently sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and squat throughout sessions, and you must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Centria describes this as a genuine job requirement that comes with working alongside active young clients.

Who supervises Behavior Technicians, and how does oversight work?

Every Behavior Technician works under the clinical direction of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The BCBA designs each child's individualized intervention plan; Behavior Technicians implement those plans directly during one-on-one sessions.

Is there a path to advance from this role?

Yes. Centria describes a structured career path within the behavioral analysis field. Hours worked under BCBA supervision can count toward Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification, which is a recognized credential for advancing within ABA practice.

Are you a fit for this role?

See how your background matches Behavior Technician — and the 20 live jobs that fit you best. No signup, no email, nothing stored.