Student Support Specialist

College Internship Program Inc • Long Beach, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The College Internship Program (CIP) is a full-year private young adult transition program for individuals 18-26 with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences offering comprehensive and specialized services. CIP’s programs uniquely address the needs of adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism, ADHD, and other learning differences by providing a comprehensive curriculum, expert staffing, and a structured weekly schedule. We believe that a learning disability is a learning difference, and our expert staff understand and meet our young adults enrolled in the program where they are at. Our programs focus on the generalization of specialized skills specifically for autism and learning differences. CIP students live with a close-knit community of peers within a supported apartment living setting and fully access the community around them. Each student’s unique needs are met individually as they prepare for success in independent living, college, and employment. CIP is the result of strategies we have developed over 40 years working with hundreds of young people who learn differently and have exceptionalities, helping develop the self-knowledge and skills to live happy and productive lives.

Requirements

• High School Diploma is required.
• At least two years of related experience and/or training is required.
• Experience in the field of autism and/or learning differences is highly required.
• Proficient with computer software for office tasks and in learning new company computer software programs is required.
• An active Driver’s License is required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in a related field is highly preferred.
• A strong special education background, particularly at the higher education level is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support students in achieving plans related to academic goal, majors and degree paths.
• Assists students in navigating and accessing educational institution’s services and accommodation.
• Coach students in the practice of executive functions for managing and completing coursework.
• Communicate student academic progress to Academic Coordinator and/or Assistant Program Director.
• Teach related skills that will facilitate overall success in higher education through individual and group sessions.
• Instructs social skills curriculum usually through individual sessions, including aspects of social communication, awareness, behavior, and confidence.
• Instructs and supports program areas of Reframing, PEERS, and Social Mentoring.
• Involve students in everyday, real life experiences, by accompanying them to local venues, college clubs, community activities, and places that match their area of interest in order to practice their social skills.
• Assesses student social skills strengths and challenges and assists in student goal setting.
• Produces and communicates individual social thinking session notes, monthly group notes, and progress reports to Social Skills Coordinator.
• Assists in planning and supervision of weekend activities in collaboration with life skills for all students to participate in to practice social skills.
• Assist students in building independent living skills competencies and routines to develop the ability to live independently after CIP.
• Support students in learning and practicing independent living skills, such as apartment maintenance, cooking, cleaning, and time management.
• Lead grocery shopping outings and provide transportation as needed.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to support students’ growth across all areas of the CIP program—academic, career, social, and wellness.
• Engage students in productively exploring and connecting within the community.
• Ensure a high level of health and safety within one's living environment and the community.
• Conducts appropriate Executive Functioning appointments with students based on their needs and coordinates with staff accordingly.
• Assist students in handling challenges and when necessary uses de-escalation techniques and other strategies.
• Passionate about helping individuals with learning disabilities reach their full potential.
• Other Duties as Assigned

Benefits

• Vacation Time - 15 days full time only
• Paid Holidays - 13 days full time only;Holiday premium pay for part time only
• Paid Sick Days and Personal Days accrued
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits: Short and Long-term Disability, Additional Life, Child Life and Spousal Life
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(K) - We offer a Traditional 401(K) and a Roth 401(K) employer match up to 4%
• Financial Wellness Advisor Services
• Tuition and continued education reimbursement up to $3,000 annually for full time and up to $1,000 for part time
• Wellness reimbursement of $200 per year for full time and $100 per year for part time
• Employee Assistance Program: child care and parenting, senior care and aging, emotional health, health and wellness, legal and financial, access to discounts
• A health advocate to assist with our insurance & healthcare challenges
• Ongoing monthly training and professional development opportunities
• Supportive and Collaborative Culture

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED