Adaptive Skills Specialist

Jay Nolan Community Services; Santa Clarita (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Tuition reimbursement

Paid CPR and First Aid training

Childcare assistance reimbursement

Pet insurance

Job summary

Jay Nolan Community Services (JNCS) seeks an Adaptive Skills Specialist in Santa Clarita, CA. This part-time role provides coaching to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, focusing on independence in daily living, community navigation, and self-advocacy.

Pay is $28.00–$32.00 per hour with a flexible 66-hour monthly schedule. You will document progress, collaborate with families and staff, and deliver person-centered instruction to help participants reach meaningful goals and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field or related area.
• Knowledge of positive, person-centered, 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.
• Proficiency with technology used for service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Partner with individuals and their support teams to implement personalized skill-building and independence plans based on strengths, preferences, and goals.
• Teach practical life skills using evidence-based, person-centered instruction and adaptive skills training.
• Support growth in safety, community navigation, personal hygiene, dressing, and grooming; feeding and sensory challenges.
• Assist with housekeeping, meal preparation, and home management; support technology access and digital literacy.
• Monitor progress, collect measurable data, and maintain accurate service documentation (daily notes, incident reports, EVV).
• Collaborate with families, Service Coordinators, supervising professionals, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality support.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Planning & Organization

Conflict resolution

Technology proficiency

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education/Psychology/Social Work

Job description

Location: Santa Clarita, CA

Schedule: Wednesday, 11am - 2pm, flexible, 66 hours monthly

Language: English

Program: Adaptive Skills

Pay: $28.00 - $32.00 per hour

Empower Independence. Transform Lives. Build Stronger Communities.

At Jay Nolan Community Services (JNCS), we believe every person deserves the opportunity to live with choice, dignity, and independence. As an Adaptive Skills Specialist, you'll support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities in building the skills, confidence, and self-advocacy needed to thrive in everyday life.

More than a support role, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. Through one-on-one coaching and personalized skill development, you'll help people achieve meaningful goals, increase their independence, and participate more fully in their homes and communities.

Your Impact

As an Adaptive Skills Specialist, you will provide individualized, hands-on support that empowers people to:

• Build confidence in daily living and self-care routines.
• Navigate their communities safely and independently.
• Develop communication, social, and relationship-building skills.
• Strengthen self-advocacy and decision-making abilities.
• Increase participation in meaningful activities and community life.
• Achieve greater independence at home, school, work, and beyond.

How You'll Make a Difference

You will:

• 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 growth in areas such as:
  • Safety skills and community navigation
  • Personal hygiene, dressing, and grooming
  • Toileting and feeding skills, including support for picky eating and sensory-based food challenges
  • Housekeeping, food purchasing, meal preparation, and home management
  • Technology access and digital literacy
  • Communication and social functioning
  • Choice-making and self-advocacy
• Help individuals establish routines and participate in meaningful, age-appropriate activities at home and throughout their communities.
• Apply positive, respectful, and individualized support strategies that address behavioral, physical, communication, and other support needs.
• Help individuals generalize learned skills across different environments, relationships, and life situations to promote long-term success.
• Foster greater 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 to ensure consistent, high-quality support.
• Participate in IPP meetings, trainings, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Why This Role Matters

The work of an Adaptive Skills Specialist extends far beyond teaching daily living skills. You help create pathways to independence, increase opportunities for inclusion, and empower individuals to lead lives defined by their own choices and aspirations. Your dedication directly impacts a person's ability to participate more fully in their home, workplace, and community.

Why You'll Love This Role

At JNCS, you'll have the opportunity to build a meaningful career while making a lasting impact. This role offers the chance to combine your education, compassion, and professional goals in work that truly matters.

• Use your bachelor's degree in meaningful, individualized work that creates real change.
• Build specialized experience in adaptive skills development, behavior support, and community-based services.
• Help people increase their independence and achieve measurable, life-changing outcomes.
• Develop a rewarding career pathway in human services with opportunities for growth and advancement at JNCS.

Qualifications

Required

• 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 degree in the 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.

Preferred

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

Who Thrives in This Role

Ideal for professionals in education, psychology, social work, behavioral health, and related fields who want to make a meaningful impact every day.

Join Us

Every day is an opportunity to change a life, celebrate progress, and help build a more inclusive world. If you're looking for a career that combines purpose, growth, and impact, we'd love to meet you.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan with company matching
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid CPR and First Aid training
• Childcare assistance reimbursement
• Pet insurance
• And more!

About JNCS

Jay Nolan Community Services (JNCS) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to provide individualized support to children, teens, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities so they may live, work, and thrive in their own homes and communities. We are an inclusive, supportive, and community-oriented workplace.

JNCS is also a Certified™ Great Place to Work. Learn more about what our employees have to say about us: https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7091642

Equal Opportunity Employer

Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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