Embark Behavioral Health logo
Embark Behavioral Health
Benton, Tennessee

Behavioral Health Associate

Behavioral Health TechFull-Time

Listed compensation

$18.5-$19.5/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Hourly Pay: $18.50 - $19.50 an hr.
  • Full -Time, On - site position: Benton, Tennessee
  • Schedule: Full - Time

Are you empathetic, patient, and committed to empowering adolescents on their journey towards sustainable mental wellness? Embark at Benton is seeking a Life Coach / Behavioral Health Associate to mentor young males (ages 12 - 17) in a residential treatment program!

Given the needs of our program, we strongly encourage male applicants to apply to serve as positive role models for the young men in our care, however we welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are committed to building a diverse team.

This hands on role involves significant physical activity and direct engagement in experiential therapies such as art, music, yoga, hiking, fitness, and outdoor adventure therapy. As a key member of our multidisciplinary treatment team, you will help create a structured, supportive environment where adolescents can heal and develop essential life skills. Given the physical nature of this role, we encourage candidates who feel comfortable with these demands to apply.

Located near the Hiwassee River and Tennessee mountains, our therapeutic wilderness setting provides the perfect backdrop for transformation. Our home-like residential program fosters healing for both clients and staff, offering an opportunity to make a lasting impact while growing personally and professionally.

Responsibilities

Maintain safe boundaries and relationships with students and staff, utilizing verbal de-escalation or physical intervention techniques as needed.

Serve as a positive role model, fostering a supportive atmosphere and encouraging teen engagement in activities of daily living (ADLs) and coping skills.

Collaborate with Team Leads and Shift Supervisors to facilitate student schedules, ensure safety, and support daily campus operations.

Provide support during classroom instruction, campus events, and recreation therapy, actively engaging with students and staff.

Communicate important observations and updates to the Program Director, ensuring clear and timely information flow.

  • Document client progress notes daily at the end of each shift to track progress and ensure continuity of care.
  • Respond to feedback with a positive outlook while promoting a safe and empathetic environment for students

Qualifications

Age: 21+ years of age or older

Education

High school diploma or equivalent G.E.D required. Associates or bachelor's in human services, psychology, criminal justice, or related field is preferred.

Skills

  • Quick decision-making skills and a growth mindset with a focus on Embarks core values.
  • Experience: Min of 1 year of experience working with adolescent populations is preferred
  • Certifications: CPR and First Aid certification preferred, will provide training

Background Checks: Must pass pre-employment drug screen and federal and state background check in accordance with Tennessee state laws.

Benefits

Access to an established Mastery Program that offers professional and financial opportunities for professional growth.

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance – Multiple plan options including PPO and HDHPs with HSA eligibility and company contributions.

  • Paid Parental Leave – Up to 6 weeks fully paid for exempt employees and 4 weeks for non-exempt.
  • Life & Disability Coverage – Company-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability; voluntary life and optional short-term disability available.
  • 401(k) with Company Match – Retirement savings with matching contributions after eligibility period.
  • PTO & Holidays – Competitive PTO accrual plans and paid holidays throughout the year.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential support for life’s challenges.

Embark is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to enriching the therapeutic and healing experience we offer through the diversity of our employees and community. We actively seek to recruit and support a broadly diverse staff who contribute to our excellence, diversity of viewpoints and experiences, and relevance in a global society.

Embark does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree

Certifications

CPR (preferred)

Key Skills

MentoringAdolescent careDocumentationCrisis managementTeam collaborationExperiential therapyLife skills coachingSafety monitoringCommunication

Behavioral Health Career Context

Of the 40 active Behavioral Health listings this role was benchmarked against, 73% have no call, 63% require no weekends.

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

Behavioral Health by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$38k–$41kBehavioral Health median $37k (middle half $34k–$38k)13 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$43k in purchasing powerTennessee index 91.9 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Behavioral Health listings in Tennessee34 active1,228 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 73% no call · 63% no weekends40 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedUS healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 4% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 12% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Behavioral Health listings861 in the last 30 days503 the 30 days before (+71%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Behavioral Health pay trend−1.0% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

Tennessee has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$40k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$3k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Behavioral Health Tech Jobs

24 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

24 jobs · 20 employers
7
<$40k
5
$40k-45k
8
$45k-50k
2
$52k
2
$55k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

13 jobs
401k / retirement match
100% this job
CME allowance
38%
Sign-on bonus
15%
Loan repayment
8%
PSLF eligible
8%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Behavioral Health Technician

Centurion Health · Taylorville, Illinois

$26.91-$28.58/hr
#2

Therapeutic Recreation Behavioral Health Technician (BHT)

New Horizon Community Care · Tolleson, Arizona

$23-$27/hr
#3

Behavioral Health Technician

$16-$25/hr
#4

Behavioral Health Tech IV

$22-$25/hr
+ 22 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 1.5
Below most Behavioral Health listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,195 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
Embark Behavioral Health logo

About Embark Behavioral Health

Mental Health Care
Chandler, Arizona
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
Life & Disability Coverage
401(k) with Company Match
PTO & Holidays
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Living in Benton

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$302k
Median resident rent
$472/mo
Residents’ average commute
26 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
88.1
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Cleveland, TN metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.