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Positive Behavior Support Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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How much do positive behavior support specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for positive behavior support specialist in the United States is $24.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $28.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a positive behavior support specialist?

Positive Behavior Support Specialists are professionals who work with individuals, often in educational or care settings, to promote positive behaviors and reduce challenging behaviors. They use evidence-based strategies to assess behavior, develop intervention plans, and train others in effective behavior management techniques. Their goal is to improve quality of life and foster environments where individuals can succeed socially, academically, and emotionally.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a positive behavior support specialist?

To thrive as a Positive Behavior Support Specialist, you need a background in psychology, education, or a related field, along with expertise in behavioral assessment and intervention planning. Familiarity with data collection tools, behavior analysis software, and certifications like Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) are often required. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and effective communication are crucial for collaborating with clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure effective development and implementation of behavior support plans, improving outcomes for individuals with behavioral challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by positive behavior support specialists when implementing behavior intervention plans, and how are they typically addressed?

Positive Behavior Support Specialists often encounter challenges such as resistance to change from staff, inconsistent implementation of intervention strategies, and limited resources. To address these, specialists collaborate closely with educators, caregivers, and other support professionals to provide ongoing training, model interventions, and offer regular feedback. Building strong relationships and maintaining clear communication are key to fostering buy-in and ensuring interventions are tailored to the individual's needs and the environment. Additionally, specialists utilize data collection and regular team meetings to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to the behavior plans.

What is the difference between Positive Behavior Support Specialist vs Behavior Technician?

AspectPositive Behavior Support SpecialistBehavior Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in psychology, education, or related field; certifications like BCBA or BCaBA are commonHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certification or training
Work EnvironmentWorks in schools, clinics, or community settings providing behavioral interventions and support plansWorks directly with clients, often in clinical or home settings, implementing behavior plans under supervision
Employer & IndustryEducational and healthcare organizations focusing on behavioral support and interventionHealthcare providers, behavioral agencies, or schools implementing behavior management strategies

While both roles focus on behavioral support, the Positive Behavior Support Specialist typically has more advanced credentials and develops comprehensive intervention plans, whereas the Behavior Technician primarily implements these plans under supervision. The Specialist often works in broader settings and with more complex cases.

What degree do you need to be a positive behavior support specialist?

A positive behavior support specialist typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in psychology, education, social work, or a related field. Some positions may require or prefer a master's degree or additional certification in behavior analysis or applied behavior analysis (ABA).

What does a positive behavior support specialist do?

A positive behavior support specialist develops and implements strategies to improve behavior and reduce challenging behaviors in individuals, often with developmental or behavioral disabilities. They assess clients' needs, create personalized behavior plans, and collaborate with families and professionals, typically using evidence-based techniques and data collection. Certification and training in behavior analysis are often required for this role.
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Infographic showing various Positive Behavior Support Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,399 per year, or $24.7 per hour.

Behavior Support Specialist Residential

GIRARD ESTATE

Philadelphia, PA

$17.25 - $20.25/hr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Girard College is a full scholarship boarding school for students from qualified families of limited financial resources. Girard College’s mission is to ensure every student the opportunity and the means to achieve excellence and preparation for advanced education through purposeful academic and residential programs. Girard College prepares its students to complete a post-secondary degree, maximizing their ability to pursue chosen careers and to be engaged citizens.

The Behavior Support Specialist for Residential Life (BSS) plays a critical role in supporting the overall residential culture and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for behavior by developing and implementing strategies to assist students with behavioral, social, executive functioning, and problem-solving skills. Reporting to the Director of Student Success, the Behavior Support Specialist collaborates with Academic, Residential, Athletic, and all student support services staff to design and carry out universal, targeted, and intervention behavioral and social support for students.

Hours for the Behavior Support Specialists are Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3-11pm; Mondays, Wednedsays from 2-10pm.

Job Responsibilities Include:

  • Provide services that align with the MTSS framework to support students who have/are experiencing social, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges.
  • Provide Tier 1 services by conducting dorm observations, providing guidance and strategies to residential advisors and facilitating social emotional lessons with students.
  • Provide Tier 2 targeted intervention group sessions to teach behavior coping skills in areas such as conflict resolution, social skills, emotional regulation, etc.
  • Provide Tier 3 intensive intervention services such as individual counseling and Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA).
  • Directly support the Residential program with teaching and enforcing clear and consistent norms, routines, and expectations that foster student independence and competence while ensuring that the residential climate is characterized by Girard College’s “Core values.”
  • Support Residential programs in developing structures, programs and practices that ensure logical and consistent consequences for student actions, while also promoting and reinforcing positive behaviors.
  • Ensure that PBIS/climate/culture/behavior data is entered within systems; review, analyze and share data in a timely fashion. 
  • Work with the residential deans to create PBIS activities and events for students who displayed positive behaviors that align with Girard’s Core Values.
  • Work closely with the Student Success Team and Residential teams to implement short- and long-term behavior support plans
  • Conduct conflict resolution and peer mediation sessions.      
  • Provide leadership in behavior intervention process including monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the behavior intervention process and modify student plans as necessary to ensure maximum response to intervention.
  • Support with the Pathways to Success program and provide individual counseling to students needing to reflect on their negative behavior and learn healthy social skills and coping strategies.
  • Demonstrate teamwork, cooperation and open communication with all staff of Girard College, toward the achievement of school goals and objectives.
  • Provide professional development trainings for residential staff to teach and model positive behavior interventions.
  • Establish positive relationships and boundaries with students, staff, and caregivers
  • Provide ongoing communication to relevant staff and caregivers regarding student concerns and services provided
  • Attend Student Success Team and Residential life meetings and events and provide support as needed.
  • Attend all campus professional development trainings as scheduled (these may occur during the daytime).
  • Perform other duties and other administrative functions as assigned.
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience working with students from an urban environment
  • Knowledge and experience with Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) planning for developing behavior change strategies, the use of data to inform plans for students, positive behavioral supports (PBS), and restorative practices.
  • Knowledge and experience with the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework for developing and providing tiered services.