Adaptive Skills Specialist

Jay Nolan Community Services•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$28 - $32

About The Position

The Adaptive Skills Specialist provides individualized, hands-on support to people with autism and other developmental disabilities, helping them build skills, confidence, self-advocacy, and independence in daily life. Through one-on-one coaching and personalized skill development, the specialist supports individuals in pursuing meaningful goals and participating more fully in their homes and communities. The role involves partnering with individuals and their support teams to implement person-centered plans based on each person's strengths, preferences, and goals. The specialist teaches practical life skills, applies respectful and individualized support strategies, helps individuals use skills across environments, monitors progress, and documents services. The position also includes collaborating with families and interdisciplinary professionals and participating in meetings, training, and professional development. The position is located in La Canada, California, and is scheduled Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The listed pay is $28.00–$32.00 per hour. Jay Nolan Community Services is a nonprofit providing individualized support to children, teens, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities so they can live, work, and thrive in their own homes and communities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Education, Psychology, Counseling, Nursing, Social Work, Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Medicine, Speech and Language, Rehabilitation, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a comparable human services field.
Knowledge of positive, person-centered, and non-invasive behavioral support practices.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal, time-management, planning, organization, and conflict-resolution abilities.
Ability to work collaboratively with individuals, families, colleagues, and community partners from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Proficiency with technology, including smartphones, mobile applications, and electronic documentation systems used for service delivery.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles and practices.
Professional or personal experience supporting individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Depending on assignment, a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and current automobile insurance.

Responsibilities

Partner with individuals and their support teams to implement personalized skill-building and independence plans based on each person's strengths, preferences, and goals.
Teach practical life skills using evidence-based, person-centered instruction and adaptive skills training.
Support safety skills and community navigation.
Support personal hygiene, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding skills, including picky eating and sensory-based food challenges.
Teach housekeeping, food purchasing, meal preparation, and home management.
Support technology access and digital literacy.
Develop communication, social functioning, and relationship-building skills.
Support choice-making, self-advocacy, and decision-making abilities.
Help individuals establish routines and participate in meaningful, age-appropriate activities at home and in their communities.
Apply positive, respectful, and individualized strategies addressing behavioral, physical, communication, and other support needs.
Help individuals generalize learned skills across environments, relationships, and life situations.
Promote independence, self-confidence, inclusion, and community participation.
Monitor progress, collect measurable data, and maintain accurate service documentation, including daily notes, incident reports, and Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements.
Collaborate with families, Service Coordinators, supervising professionals, and interdisciplinary teams.
Participate in IPP meetings, trainings, and ongoing professional development.