Positive Behavioral Support Specialist - (PBSS)

Position:  Positive Behavioral Support Specialist

Program Area:  Support Specialists

Position Opens:  May 20, 2026

Wage: $21.48/hr. DOEQ.

Hours:  Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and available for emergencies.

Position Description:

The Positive Behavior Support Specialist is responsible for increasing the capacity of NHTC staff to provide positive support to individuals with behavioral needs that interfere with having a desirable life. The Positive Behavior Support Specialist will utilize research-based behavioral strategies for individuals with disabilities who have significant social, emotional, and/or behavioral needs. The Positive Behavior Support Specialist will be responsible for evaluations, including functional behavioral assessments that will be utilized to develop an Individualized Positive Behavioral Support Plan.  The implementation of the plan will be determined by the individual’s ISP Team. The Positive Behavior Support Specialist will train and provide support to direct care staff on how to implement the behavioral strategies in the plan to ensure individuals are provided the support needed to live in the least restrictive, person-centered environments possible.  The Positive Behavior Support Specialist will be required to instruct NHTC’s approved safety intervention technique class.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities and co-occurring disorders in residential, vocational, and day service settings. This includes conducting interviews with family and staff members, making direct observations, conducting behavioral assessments, collecting data, reviewing records, and using other assessments as needed.


• Coordinate, develop, and write Positive Behavioral Support Plans that include support objectives, function-based intervention strategies, and teaching objectives.


• Monitor the progress of Positive Behavioral Support Plans, Rights Restrictions, Psychoactive Medication Rights Restrictions, and Restoration Plans to provide consultation and feedback to the individual’s teams as necessary.


• Lead and maintain the Human Rights/Positive Behavioral Supports Joint committee, per the requirements of Administrative Rights of South Dakota (ARSD). This includes but is not limited to, training committee members and maintaining documentation as it relates to the Human Rights/Positive Behavioral Supports Joint Committee.


• Present Positive Behavioral Support Plans and rights restrictions to the Human Rights/Positive Behavioral Support Joint Committee for review per the timelines in ARSD.


• Provide specific staff training regarding a Positive Behavioral Support Plan and Individual Rights/Restrictions.


• Maintain self-education and development by utilizing education as it relates to support services. The Positive Behavioral Support Specialist will always remain certified in Crisis Prevention training offered by the employer.


• Manage a process for requests of Functional Behavior Assessments to develop a Positive Behavioral Support Plan.


• Complete other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Active Listening - Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.


• Analytical Skills - Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve a problem.


• Autonomy - Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.


• Coaching and Development - Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas.


• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.


• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.


• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.


• Deductive Reasoning - Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.


• Creative - Ability to think in such a way as to produce a new concept or idea.


• Ethical - Ability to demonstrate, conduct, conform to a set of values and accepted standards.


• Team Building- Ability to influence a group of people to work as a cohesive team toward a goal.


• Training - Ability to develop and train others to ensure work standards.


• Leadership - Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions.


• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.


• Research Skills - Ability to design and conduct a systematic, objective, and critical investigation.


• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and not being hasty or impetuous.


• Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.

Education Requirements/Experience:  High school diploma or GED and 2-4 years of related experience, preferably in the Human Service field.  Experience in applied behavior analysis is preferred.

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance


• 401(k) retirement plan


• Gym Membership Discount


• Verizon Discount


• Paid Training

Why Join NHTC?

• Be part of a mission-driven team that truly changes lives.


• Enjoy meaningful work in a supportive and value-driven environment.


• Grow your leadership skills while helping others reach their potential.

Our Mission: We support people to have meaningful lives.