ILS Instructor / Independent Living Skills Instructor

Thrive Support Services•Santa Cruz, CA

About The Position

Thrive Support Services is hiring a part-time Independent Living Skills (ILS) Instructor to work one-on-one with people with developmental disabilities, helping clients pursue personal goals related to independence and community participation. Instructors teach independent living skills in a motivating, personalized, and professional environment and typically support a caseload of around 3–6 clients. No prior experience is required; training is provided. The role may provide experience relevant to social work, social services, mental health, or case management. With training, instructors support clients with money management; medical, dental, and medication management; basic cooking and meal preparation; public transportation; finding affordable housing; obtaining and maintaining benefits such as Social Security, Medi-Cal, and Medicare; community involvement and socialization; and household maintenance. Instructors must also plan and participate in at least one community outing per month with each client to support practical skill-building, social engagement, and independence. The position requires access to a reliable vehicle, a valid driver's license, and auto insurance. Instructors must be willing to drive clients to appointments and errands; mileage is reimbursed. Applicants must pass a DOJ/FBI fingerprint clearance. The posting lists Santa Cruz / Santa Cruz County as the location and also says clients are available throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Requirements

Desire to help others.
Access to a reliable vehicle.
Valid driver's license.
Auto insurance with $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage.
Pass a DOJ/FBI fingerprint clearance.
Willingness to drive clients to appointments and errands.

Nice To Haves

Experience in social work, social services, mental health, or case management; the posting states that no experience is required and training is provided.
Backgrounds such as IHSS, caregiving, home health aide, personal attendant, direct support professional, paraprofessional, or behavioral therapist, or experience supporting people with developmental disabilities.
Comfort working with people from different backgrounds, handling unexpected challenges, working independently while communicating with a team, learning quickly, adapting to change, and following through on commitments.

Responsibilities

Work one-on-one with clients with developmental disabilities to support their personal independence and community participation goals.
Teach independent living skills in a motivating, personalized, and professional environment.
Support clients with money management; medical, dental, and medication management; cooking and meal preparation; public transportation; affordable housing; benefits; community involvement and socialization; and household maintenance.
Plan and participate in at least one community outing per month with each client.
Drive clients to appointments and errands to help them accomplish their goals.
Communicate with the team and supervisor while working independently.

Benefits

$600 hiring bonus: $200 after the first full week working with clients and $400 after completion of 90 days.
Health insurance.
Dental coverage.
Vision coverage.
Costco membership.
Flexible Spending Account.
Mileage reimbursement.
Employee assistance program.
Employer matching 401(k).
Full benefits package valued up to $12,000; benefits may vary by job level.