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Tx-Hhsc-Dshs-Dfps
Harlingen, Texas

Board Certified Behavior Analyst I

BCBAIncludes callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$78K - $100K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 2mo ago

Job Description

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Board Certified Behavior Analyst I Job Title: Behavior Analyst I Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: Adm AcuteCarePsych Psychology Posting Number: 19677 Closing Date: 11/02/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Salary Range: $6,534.79 - $8,304.83 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-23 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 10% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Facility Location: Rio Grande State Center Job Location City: HARLINGEN Job Location Address: 1401 S RANGERVILLE RD Other Locations: MOS Codes: 230X,4C0X1,68X,71F,73B Brief Job Description:

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork?

HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers.

Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based.

If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Behavior Analyst I (Board Certified Behavior Analyst I or BCBA I) performs advanced (senior level) behavior analysis work. The BCBA I provides assistance with behavior analysis services to patients with cognitive, developmental, psychiatric, and physical needs.

The BCBA I provides consultation and technical assistance for staff in applied behavior analysis. The BCBA I participates in patient treatment, including participation in the treatment team processes and the development of comprehensive treatment plans and safety plans.

The BCBA I reviews patient progress and response to behavioral therapy services and provides debriefings with staff and patients when restraints occur. The BCBA I designs, implements, and evaluates individual and group behavior therapy programs and unit milieu management structures.

They may be assigned to a specific unit and provide services to other areas of the hospital. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

As part of the treatment planning process, observes and assesses individual patients and designs positive interventions to address the behavioral challenges of patients with cognitive, developmental, psychiatric, and physical needs. Ongoing systematic monitoring and approval of functional behavioral assessments and behavior support plans are conducted through personal observation, staff interviews, and documentation review to ensure the patients continuing needs are met.

Consults with staff concerning positive and effective approaches to preventing and addressing challenging behaviors. Writes a behavioral support plan and communicates it to the direct care staff. Provides in-person training, updating the treatment team as necessary. Involves the person served as much as possible.

Evaluates individual and group behavioral therapy programs and unit milieu management structures to guide the treatment process for the psychiatric population. Designs supplemental therapeutic programs at the individual and group level.

Provides consultative services to treatment teams and unit staff on effective patient interaction, the application of behavioral interventions, the use of unit milieu structure, the use of patient centered safety plans, and treatment interventions that are alternatives to the use of seclusion or restraint. Reviews patient progress and response to behavioral therapy services and provides debriefings with staff and patients when restraints occur.

Attends and participates in the Behavioral Support Plan Peer Review Committee to ensure compliance with the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). Reviews the behavioral support plans and ensures the patients’ rights are being served and individual choices are being honored. Approves all hospital behavioral plans.

Actively participates in the hospitals quality management, patient safety, risk management, and infection control programs helping to ensure compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) standards, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) conditions of participation, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and the rules and regulations of the Agency and state hospital system.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of applied behavior analysis.
  • Knowledge of behavior support plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
  • Knowledge of medications used to assist with behavior management.
  • Knowledge of systems used to track treatment effectiveness.
  • Knowledge of behavioral service delivery to people with mental disorders, and of the characteristics of developmental disabilities.
  • Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and departmental and agency policy.
  • Skills in writing and developing complex technical reports and other documents.
  • Skills in the use of a computer and applicable software.
  • Ability to conduct comprehensive functional behavior assessments.
  • Ability to develop behavior support plans.
  • Ability to evaluate behavioral and program data.
  • Ability to make clinical recommendations.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

Must be certified as a Behavior Analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board

Initial Screening Criteria

Six (6) months of experience in psychology and behavior analyst work

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s or a higher-level degree in behavior analysis, special education, human services, psychology, or a related field

Two (2) or more years implementing behavioral services with adults with developmental disabilities, substance abuse and/or serious mental illness using a person-centered approach preferred.

Preferred: Bilingual in English and Spanish

Additional Information

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza.

All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures. Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to

Key Responsibilities

The Behavior Analyst I designs, implements, and evaluates comprehensive behavior therapy programs and safety plans for patients with complex psychiatric and developmental needs. They also provide technical assistance to staff, participate in treatment team processes, and ensure facility compliance with state and federal standards.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a master's degree or higher in a relevant field and possess certification as a Behavior Analyst from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. At least two years of experience implementing behavioral services for adults with developmental disabilities or mental illness is preferred.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Crisis interventionData evaluationClinical documentationStaff consultationPatient assessmentRegulatory compliance

Applied Behavior Analysis Career Context

In Texas, the Applied Behavior Analysis weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$93k (142 salary observations; 676 listings), vs ~$92k nationally (1,369 salary observations; 5,350 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-02-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Of the 50 active Applied Behavior Analysis listings this role was benchmarked against, 72% are remote, 28% have no call, 86% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Texas is 97.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$89k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $92k in an average-cost state. 57.7% of Texas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Texas has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$89k midpoint, that is roughly $4k–$6k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Behavior Analyst Jobs

44 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution44 jobs · 12 employers

12
<$110k
18
$110k-120k
13
$120k-130k
0
$130k-140k
1
$145k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks44 jobs · 12 employers

401k / retirement match
95% this job
Sign-on bonus
91%
CME allowance
91%
Loan repayment
57%
Relocation assistance
48%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Lead BCBA - Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Columbia, MD

Verbal Beginnings · Columbia, Maryland

$105k–$145k
#2

BCBA Clinical Director

Action Behavior Centers · South Shore, Texas

#3

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

$93k-$127k
#4

Sr. Behavior Analyst (BCBA) - Hybrid

Starting at $105,000
+ 42 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 5.1this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Applied Behavior Analysis listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 2,614 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes call

Living in Harlingen

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$219k≈ 2.8× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,158/mo≈ 18% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
18 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
86.0
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Brownsville-Harlingen, TX metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About Tx-Hhsc-Dshs-Dfps

Government Administration
Austin, TX
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

100% paid employee health insurance
Defined benefit pension plan
Generous time off benefits
Career advancement opportunities