Growth at Bierman isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something that’s built with structure, support, and clear milestones you can see and work toward.
PROPEL is Bierman’s career advancement program for Behavior Technicians and Team Leads. It replaces vague promises of “growth opportunities” with an actual path: defined stages, assessment-based progression, compensation benchmarks tied to each level, and mentorship built into every step. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to lead, PROPEL shows you exactly where you are and what comes next.
Most jobs tell you there’s room to grow. PROPEL shows you what that growth looks like.
Every stage of PROPEL includes:
You move forward by demonstrating real skills, not by logging time. Progression replaces traditional performance reviews with clear, competency-based criteria.
Each role comes with defined compensation benchmarks. No guessing, no waiting to find out after the fact.
Regular check-ins, structured observations, and development planning are part of the system — not add-ons that depend on having the right manager.
Not just a title change. Every step forward in PROPEL represents skills you've earned and demonstrated — and it's recognized that way.
Every BT at Bierman starts with a foundation and builds from there. The BT PROPEL path has four stages, each designed to develop your clinical skills, deepen your confidence, and grow your impact with the children you serve.
Tap any stage to learn more.
As a new hire, you'll complete foundational training and work toward your Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification. This stage builds the tools, mindset, and habits you'll rely on throughout your career.
As a Cadet, you gain hands-on experience across diverse cases, building essential skills and developing confidence in your role. This stage is about applying your training in real-world sessions and learning what it means to deliver quality therapy.
After passing a 180-day assessment, you'll step into the Co-Pilot role with increased responsibilities and greater autonomy across client cases. This stage is about proving your competencies and growing your clinical impact.
Captains are the top tier of the BT journey. With advanced competencies and a commitment to delivering quality therapy, Captains play a vital role in client success and serve as models for the team around them.
Captains who want to grow into leadership can pursue the Team Lead PROPEL path. And for those interested in becoming a BCBA, the Clinician-in-Training (CiT) program at Bierman provides a structured pathway to certification and clinical leadership.
Team Leads at Bierman do more than manage a pod of BTs. They teach, coach, model, and set the tone for the clinical culture around them. The Team Lead PROPEL path is built to develop leaders who raise the standard, not just hold it.
After completing Team Lead onboarding, you'll develop the tools, habits, and mindset to lead with consistency and purpose.
Recognized for your growing ability to support peers, elevate team performance, and serve as a resource for the BTs around you.
You're leading BTs through onboarding and helping tenured BTs work through barriers in training sessions. Your influence is visible.
Deep conceptual knowledge, meaningful pinpoint progressions, and a role model for new Team Leads. Reassessed every 6 months for continued growth.
70% of roles at Bierman are filled internally, and 150 team members were promoted in 2025 alone. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because PROPEL gives people a path they can actually follow.
PROPEL sits within a broader ecosystem of development at Bierman. Bierman University provides the learning infrastructure behind every stage, with role-based training, development courses, and leadership tracks that keep skills sharp and expectations clear.
For team members pursuing BCBA certification, the Clinician-in-Training (CiT) program and BCBA supervision program offer structured pathways to clinical leadership. Ninety percent of Clinical Directors at Bierman were promoted from internal BCBAs.
PROPEL is the career advancement program waiting for you when you join the team. If you’re looking for a role where the path forward is defined, supported, and yours to own from day one, this is that place.
Behavior Technician and Team Lead roles are open across our 30+ centers in seven states. No prior ABA experience is required for BT positions, you’ll receive three weeks of paid training before working with clients, and PROPEL kicks in from there.
Browse open roles at biermancareers.com and find a center near you.
PROPEL is Bierman’s structured career advancement program for Behavior Technicians and Team Leads. It provides a defined path of stages with assessment-based progression, compensation benchmarks at each level, and built-in mentorship and support throughout.
PROPEL has two tracks: one for Behavior Technicians (Trainee → Cadet → Co-Pilot → Captain) and one for Team Leads (Scout → Guide → Trailblazer → Pathfinder). It’s designed for anyone at Bierman who wants a clear, structured path for professional growth.
Advancement in PROPEL is assessment-based, not time-based. You move forward by demonstrating the skills and competencies required for each stage, not just by logging months in a role. Each stage has clear criteria, so you always know what’s expected.
Yes. Each PROPEL stage includes defined compensation benchmarks, so advancement comes with real recognition, not just a new title.
Every stage of PROPEL includes regular check-ins, structured observations, and development planning with your Practice Manager or supervisor. Mentorship and feedback are built into the program, not something you have to seek out on your own.
BTs who advance through the Captain stage can pursue the Team Lead PROPEL path if they’re interested in leadership. Team members interested in clinical advancement toward BCBA certification can explore the Clinician-in-Training (CiT) program.
The Team Lead path moves through four stages: Scout, Guide, Trailblazer, and Pathfinder. Each stage builds leadership skills progressively, from establishing foundational habits as a Scout to serving as a model and mentor for new Team Leads as a Pathfinder. Pathfinders are reassessed every 6 months to support continued growth.
Yes. Many team members pursue clinical advancement alongside their PROPEL progression. Bierman’s teaching hospital model is built to support both. The CiT program provides structured fieldwork and supervision for those working toward BCBA certification.
