Behavioral Health Technician- Neurodivergent Teen Program
Listed compensation
$23 - $25/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
$23–$25/hour | Full-Time, Part-Time & Per Diem | Petaluma, CA
Day, Evening, Overnight & Weekend Shifts | Shift Differentials Available
About the Role
Support adolescents ages 12–17 in one of Muir Wood's residential mental health programs—either our girls' mental health program, where approximately one-third of residents are neurodivergent, or our specialized boys' neurodivergent mental health program.
You'll work alongside therapists and licensed clinicians, providing daily therapeutic support, skills coaching, and supervision. No medical or clinical license required—we provide full training.
Our residents include teens with anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and emotional dysregulation. Our program is designed to support their unique strengths within a structured, affirming environment.
Why Join Us
- Direct care role—not a clinical or medical technician position
- Specialized program supporting neurodivergent teens
- Full training provided—no prior experience needed
- Gain experience toward careers in mental health, counseling, social work, or education
- Work alongside therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and experienced clinicians
What You'll Do
- Provide therapeutic support and skills coaching under direction of licensed clinicians
- Support teens through daily routines: meals, hygiene, recreation, and structured activities
- Build therapeutic relationships while maintaining healthy, appropriate boundaries
- Monitor client safety and provide one-on-one observation when clinically indicated
- Respond to behavioral and emotional crises using de-escalation techniques
- Communicate with clinical staff about resident progress during shift handoffs
- Transport clients to appointments and activities (clean CA license required)
- Complete accurate, timely documentation per program requirements
Requirements
What We're Looking For:
Must Have
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid CA driver's license with clean record
- First Aid/CPR certified (or willing to obtain)
- Calm, patient, and reliable—teens depend on consistent support
Preferred
- Coursework or degree in psychology, social work, counseling, education, OT, SLP, or related field
- Experience with autistic teens, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or neurodivergent populations
- Background in special education, residential treatment, or youth programs
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care or adolescent development
About Muir Wood
We provide trauma-informed, relationship-centered residential treatment for teens ages 12–17. Our neurodivergent program offers a structured, affirming environment where teens can build on their unique strengths—guided by a compassionate team of clinicians, educators, and direct care staff.
Muir Wood Teen Treatment is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LiveScan background check required.
Benefits
- Medical/Dental/Vision
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401k + Match
- PTO/Sick Pay
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee Discount Marketplace
Key Responsibilities
Provide daily therapeutic support, skills coaching, and supervision for neurodivergent adolescents in a residential setting. Responsibilities include monitoring client safety, responding to behavioral crises, and assisting with daily routines.
Qualifications
- Education
- Professional certificate or licensure
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Behavioral Health Technician- Neurodivergent Teen Program at Muir Wood Adolescent & Family Services a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the top 25% in Behavioral Health Tech roles — ranked against 1,696 active Behavioral Health Tech roles listings on WeekdayDoc.
Psychology Career Context
In California, the Psychology weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$58k (50 salary observations; 197 listings), vs ~$56k nationally (244 salary observations; 5,027 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-02-01 through 2026-10-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
Of the 40 active Psychology listings this role was benchmarked against, 3% are remote, 68% have no call, 40% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.4 / 10 · top 25% in behavioral health tech roles | ranked against 1,696 Behavioral Health Tech roles listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $48k–$52k | Psychology median $51k (middle half $47k–$55k)51 comparable listings, Oct 2026 |
| California vs national | $58k median in California | $56k nationally (+4%)50 state / 244 national salary observations |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$45k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Psychology listings in California | 79 active | 1,697 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 3% remote · 68% no call · 40% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
| Psychology pay trend | −3.0% vs prior quarter | —through Sep 2026 |
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