Position Details
| Job Title | Behavioral Health Technician
| SOC Code | 29-2053.00 — Psychiatric Technicians
| O*NET Alternate Title | BHT (Behavioral Health Technician)
| Employer | Strategic Montessori & Therapy Center
| Location | Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
| Employment Type | Full-Time, Temporary (H-2B — One-Time Occurrence, up to 3 years)
| Schedule | Monday – Friday, Daytime Hours
| Work Setting | Center-Based ABA Therapy Facility
| Prevailing Wage | Per DOL Wage Determination (SOC 29-2053.00, NJ)
| NAICS Industry | 621112 — Offices of Other Mental Health Practitioners
Job Summary
Strategic Montessori & Therapy Center is a Behavioral Health Agency providing center-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services to young children in its early-childhood (pre-K) program in Lawrenceville, NJ. The center is seeking an experienced Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) to provide direct ABA therapy, on a temporary basis, to a specific group of currently enrolled Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking children (ages 2–5) diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), under the clinical supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Because these children and their caregivers are primarily Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking, the position requires trilingual proficiency in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to deliver therapy, conduct caregiver training, and communicate clinical information accurately. The position is tied to this group’s tenure in the pre-K program and concludes upon their transition to school-age placement.
This position is classified under O*NET-SOC Code 29-2053.00 (Psychiatric Technicians), which includes the alternate occupational title of Behavioral Health Technician. The occupation requires the provision of care to individuals with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities following the instructions of clinical practitioners, consistent with the duties described herein.
Duties & Responsibilities
The Behavioral Health Technician will perform the following duties, consistent with O*NET-SOC 29-2053.00:
- Provide direct 1:1 ABA therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a center-based setting, implementing individualized behavior intervention plans developed by the supervising BCBA
- Implement skill acquisition and behavior reduction programs under the direct supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), consistent with the principles and procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Collect, record, and submit behavior and skill acquisition data using an electronic data collection system during and immediately following each therapy session
- Observe and document client behavior, reporting changes in client progress, physical condition, or unusual behavior to supervising clinical staff
- Participate in regularly scheduled supervision meetings, professional development trainings, and competency assessments as directed by the BCBA
- Collaborate with BCBAs, clinical supervisors, and treatment team members to ensure consistency and fidelity of ABA intervention implementation
- Provide responsive and professional support to clients, families, and caregivers, maintaining confidentiality and dignity at all times
- Deliver therapy sessions and communicate directly with Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking clients, families, and caregivers in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, ensuring accurate exchange of clinical, behavioral, and caregiver-training information
- Maintain client safety and adhere to all agency protocols, ethical guidelines, and applicable state and federal regulations governing behavioral health services
- Complete all required documentation, session notes, and administrative records accurately and in a timely manner
- Attend and participate in Professional Development Trainings to maintain and expand technical knowledge as required by the agency
Minimum Requirements for H-2B Visa Eligibility
Pursuant to the H-2B temporary nonimmigrant worker visa requirements, applicants must meet all of the following minimum qualifications:
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; some college coursework in psychology, education, or a related field preferred, consistent with Job Zone 3 preparation for SOC 29-2053.00
- Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience providing ABA therapy or direct behavioral health services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental disabilities
- Certification: Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification issued by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) preferred; candidates without current certification must be willing and eligible to complete the 40-hour RBT training program, certification will be provided at no cost to the employee
- Technical Knowledge: Demonstrated familiarity with ABA therapy techniques, discrete trial training (DTT), natural environment teaching (NET), and behavior management strategies
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with clients, families, supervisors, and treatment team members
- Technology: Access to and proficiency with a mobile device for electronic data collection and session note submission
- Transportation: Valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation required
- Background Check: Must successfully complete a criminal history background check as required by New Jersey state law for behavioral health providers
- Multilingual (English/Spanish/Portuguese): Full professional fluency in English, Spanish, and Portuguese is required as a bona fide business necessity, given the center’s Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking client and caregiver population. Candidates must be able to deliver therapy and convey clinical information accurately in all three languages.
- Eligibility: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under a valid H-2B nonimmigrant visa for the duration of the approved temporary employment period
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Consistent with O*NET-SOC 29-2053.00 worker requirements:
- Knowledge of human behavior, learning, and motivation; psychological principles and methods for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of behavioral and developmental disorders (O*NET Knowledge: Psychology; Therapy and Counseling)
- Active listening and oral communication skills to convey and receive information effectively in a clinical environment (O*NET Essential Skills: Active Listening; Speaking)
- Social perceptiveness — ability to recognize and understand clients’ behavioral and emotional reactions and adjust intervention approach accordingly (O*NET Transferable Skills: Social Perceptiveness)
- Monitoring and critical thinking skills to assess client performance and make data-informed judgments during sessions (O*NET Essential Skills: Monitoring; Critical Thinking)
- Ability to maintain selective attention and sustained concentration during direct therapy sessions (O*NET Abilities: Selective Attention)
- Empathy, sincerity, stress tolerance, and self-control consistent with direct behavioral health service delivery (O*NET Work Styles)
- Dependability, integrity, and cooperation consistent with working within a multidisciplinary clinical team (O*NET Work Styles)
Training & Professional Development
Strategic Montessori & Therapy Center provides structured training and ongoing professional development to ensure every Behavioral Health Technician delivers therapy with fidelity and meets all credentialing and supervisory requirements:
- Structured onboarding and orientation covering agency protocols, client safety, documentation systems, and the electronic data collection platform prior to independent client work
- Employer-sponsored 40-hour Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training program aligned with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) task list, provided at no cost to employees who are not yet certified
- Ongoing clinical supervision by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), including direct observation, performance feedback, and competency assessments consistent with RBT supervision requirements
- Regular professional development trainings on ABA methodologies, including discrete trial training (DTT), natural environment teaching (NET), and behavior management strategies
- Continuing education and skill-building opportunities to support maintenance of RBT certification and clinical growth throughout the period of employment
Why Join Our Team
Strategic Montessori & Therapy Center offers a supportive, mission-driven environment where Behavioral Health Technicians are equipped to do their best work and make a measurable difference in the lives of children with autism and their families:
- Meaningful, hands-on clinical work delivering evidence-based ABA therapy that directly improves children’s communication, social, and daily-living skills
- Close mentorship from experienced BCBAs within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that values fidelity, integrity, and continuous learning
- Employer-provided RBT training and certification, removing the cost barrier to entering and advancing in the behavioral health field
- A purpose-built, center-based facility designed for structured, distraction-free therapy and consistent client progress
- A predictable Monday-to-Friday daytime schedule that supports work-life balance
- A welcoming, family-centered culture that respects the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking children and caregivers we serve
Statement of Temporary Need
This position is offered on a temporary, full-time basis under the one-time occurrence standard of the H-2B nonimmigrant worker program, for a single, non-recurring period of up to three (3) years. The employer’s need arises from a specific, finite, non-recurring circumstance: the center currently serves a defined, identified group of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ages 2 to 5, who are enrolled in its early-childhood (pre-K) program and who will complete that program and transition to school-age placement within the next three years. [This need is anchored by a specific currently enrolled Portuguese-speaking client requiring intensive ABA services for whom no qualified provider can otherwise be staffed.] To serve this group, the employer requires a Behavioral Health Technician with rare trilingual proficiency in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to deliver direct ABA therapy and in-language caregiver training. This is a one-time occurrence: the need is limited to serving this specific, closed group of currently enrolled children; the center has not previously employed workers to deliver services to such a group in these languages; and the need concludes when these children transition out of the program. It does not reflect an annual, recurring, or permanent staffing pattern, and the center is not establishing an ongoing language-specific service line through this petition. The employer attests that qualified U.S. workers who meet the trilingual and clinical requirements of the position are not available to fill this role for the specified temporary period, as documented through the required recruitment and labor certification process. Demographic documentation of the local Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking population is maintained solely to support the business necessity of the trilingual requirement, not to demonstrate ongoing demand.
O*NET Occupational Classification Reference
| O*NET-SOC Code | 29-2053.00
| Occupation Title | Psychiatric Technicians
| Alternate Job Title | BHT — Behavioral Health Technician
| Job Zone | 3 — Medium Preparation Needed
| Education Level | Some college or related experience required
| Bright Outlook | Yes — Much faster than average growth (7%+ through 2034)
| Median Wage (2024) | $20.47/hour | $42,590/year (BLS, national)
| Top Industry | Health Care and Social Assistance (NAICS 62)
| O*NET Source | onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2053.00
