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Job Description
Behavioral Technician - Child Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Step By Step Counseling, LLC Saint Charles, MO Job Details Part-time $20 - $25 an hour 7 hours ago Benefits 401(k) 401(k) matching Referral program Qualifications Working with children Bachelor's degree
Full Job Description Join Our Team:
Step By Step Counseling is expanding our SPARK Child IOP and looking for a Behavioral Technician who enjoys supporting kids with big feelings, strong needs, and developing nervous systems. This role blends hands-on intervention work with behind-the-scenes program support. You'll help create a safe, steady environment where children can practice regulation, coping, and social skills.
Hours would be:
1:30-5:30 Tues, Wed, Thurs We are open to adding hours with administrative tasks. SPARK is our Intensive Outpatient Program for children ages 5 to 11. We use evidence-based practices such as DBT skills, play-based interventions, polyvagal-informed strategies, neurodivergent and trauma informed competent care. Staff work closely as a team, with ratios typically between 3:1 and 4:1 to support safety, co-regulation, and engagement. Here's more information about our IOP program: https://stepbystepcounselingllc.
//stepbystepcounselingllc.com/meeting-the-growing-demand-for-intensive-child-mental-health-services/ Here's more information about our groups: https://stepbystepcounselingllc.com/services-offered/group-counseling/ What You'll Do Support daily group activities that teach coping skills, emotional awareness, and social problem-solving. Provide calm, steady co-regulation to children who are overwhelmed, anxious, or moving toward fight, flight, or freeze. Assist the IOP therapists by preparing materials, setting up activities, and helping transitions run smoothly. Offer one-on-one support to children during moments of dysregulation using training provided by the IOP team. Track observations and behavior patterns to help the clinical team understand triggers and progress. Help maintain a predictable, organized environment that supports emotional safety and engagement. Collaborate with the crisis responder during escalations while other staff continue group flow. Assist with attendance, check-ins, daily regulation stations, and final parent handoff. Ensure rooms are reset between groups and materials are maintained. Who Thrives in This Role Someone who naturally brings calm into the room. Kids lean heavily on adult nervous systems to know if they are safe. A person who can stay steady, even when voices get loud or energy spikes, gives children a model for how to settle their own bodies. This steadiness supports co-regulation, which is key for trauma, autism, and ADHD. Someone who enjoys getting on the child's level. This role works best for someone who likes floor play, simple games, art activities, and movement breaks. Children learn through doing. A person who jumps in with curiosity helps them feel seen, supported, and ready to try new coping skills. Someone who understands that behavior is communication. When a child melts down, shuts down, or becomes explosive, it usually means their nervous system is overwhelmed. A good fit for this job is someone who can look past the behavior and wonder, "What does this child need right now?" rather than take the behavior personally. Someone who can track details while staying relational. This role blends connection with observation. You are noticing what kind of transition was hard today, which skills were easier, and when a child began shifting toward fight, flight, or freeze. These small patterns help the clinical team adjust interventions. Someone who likes teamwork and shared problem-solving. IOP work is fast-paced. Staff rely on each other to keep group flow moving, redirect children with care, and jump in when dysregulation rises. People who enjoy collaborating and sharing ideas tend to feel successful here. Someone who is open to learning new approaches. You'll be trained in co-regulation, sensory strategies, DBT skills, and play-based interventions. People who enjoy learning and practicing new tools adapt quickly and grow with the program. Someone who values kids with big feelings. Children in IOP often feel more deeply, react more quickly, and need more support than peers. This role is a great fit for someone who feels genuine patience and interest in kids whose emotions don't always fit the moment. Someone who can set gentle, clear limits. Children need structure to feel safe. A person who can set boundaries kindly and consistently helps the child's nervous system settle and gives them a predictable experience every day. Someone who notices the small wins. Progress in IOP is often measured in the quiet moments: a shorter recovery after a meltdown, a calmer transition, a brave peer interaction. Staff who celebrate these small steps feel deeply rewarded in this role.
Qualifications:
Superhero Training for
Real Life:
You should have experience supporting kids and teens in settings like mental health programs, schools, camps, or youth services. Any training, CEUs, or hands-on work that helps children feel safer, calmer, and more capable is a big plus.
Education and Experience:
A bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, child development, social work, education, or a related field is required. This gives you the developmental foundation to understand what kids need in the moment.
Calm-in-the-Storm Energy:
Children in IOP can shift quickly between emotions. You'll need the ability to stay grounded, supportive, and steady when a child's nervous system is overwhelmed. Willingness to
Learn New Tools:
Our program uses DBT skills, co-regulation strategies, sensory supports, and behavioral de-escalation. You don't need to know them all on day one, but you should be excited to learn.
Technology Friendly:
No cape required, but comfort with electronic health records, daily documentation, and occasional virtual sessions helps you stay connected to the team and the kids.
Team Player Mindset:
You'll collaborate with therapists, crisis responders, caregivers, school staff, and medical providers. Children do best when the adults around them communicate well and work from the same playbook.
Background Checks & Training:
Must complete required screenings and onboarding trainings prior to starting. What We Offer A supportive team culture grounded in growth and curiosity. You'll join a group of people who love learning, celebrate small wins, and believe kids do best when the adults around them feel supported too. Staff are encouraged to ask questions, try new approaches, and bring creativity into the room. Training that builds real confidence. We provide hands-on training in play-based IOP interventions, co-regulation strategies, sensory-informed practices, and safety frameworks. You'll learn how to read nervous system cues, support transitions, and help kids practice skills in ways that feel natural and fun. A clear path for advancement. Step By Step Counseling is a growing ecosystem with opportunities across IOP, individual therapy, groups, community programs, and training departments. People who shine in this role often grow into coordinator roles, or graduate-level opportunities. Experiences beyond the office. Team members have access to Firefly Acres , our property we can visit to unwind. Staff events, trainings, and occasional restorative days happen there so you can reset, connect, and remember why the work matters. Benefits that prioritize your stability. We offer a 401k to help you invest in your future, because caring for kids works best when the people supporting them also feel financially secure. Competitive pay based on experience. We value the skill, heart, and energy this role requires. Compensation reflects experience and additional training you bring to the team. A workplace that believes in play. Even on the tough days, we use creativity, humor, and connection to stay grounded. Kids feel that energy, and so do staff.
