Adaptive Skills Trainer

Next Step Behavioral and Clinical Services; California; On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Next Step Behavioral & Clinical Services in California seeks a part-time Adaptive Skills Trainer to deliver individualized support in clients' homes and community settings. Under supervision, you will implement adaptive skills plans covering personal care, communication, organization, self-advocacy, social interaction, and community participation, using trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approaches.

Strong communication and documentation are essential, with bilingual English/Spanish

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in relevant field.
• Experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities preferred.
• Commitment to person-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services.
• Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Ability to implement individualized plans, adapt instruction under supervisory guidance, and respond constructively to feedback.
• Reliable transportation to assigned client homes and community locations.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or completion before beginning client services.
• Completion of required background screening, TB clearance, and onboarding requirements.
• Official transcripts submitted directly through Parchment or the educational institution to verify education.
• Bilingual English and Spanish skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teaching functional skills through modeling, guided practice, individualized prompting, and positive reinforcement.
• Using neurodiversity-affirming practices that accommodate sensory and communication needs and respect individual differences.
• Applying trauma-informed principles that promote safety, predictability, collaboration, and choice.
• Respecting assent, withdrawal of assent, requests for breaks, and expressions of discomfort, and seeking supervisory guidance when needed.
• Collecting accurate data, documenting progress, and completing session notes within scheduled work time.
• Collaborating with families, caregivers, and supervisors to support skill development across settings.
• Preparing or adapting instructional materials as directed.
• Communicating changes in client needs, scheduling concerns, and barriers to progress promptly.
• Following confidentiality, professional boundary, safety, and incident-reporting requirements.
• Participating in assigned orientation, training, and ongoing supervision.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Documentation

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in psychology, human development, education, behavioral science, or related field

Job description

Next Step Behavioral & Clinical Services provides individualized adaptive skills services that help individuals with developmental disabilities build independence, confidence, and meaningful participation in everyday life. Services focus on practical skills used at home and in the community.

Our approach is person-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive. We respect each individual's strengths, preferences, communication style, sensory needs, and right to make choices. Our team collaborates with individuals, families, caregivers, and supervisors to provide evidence-informed support that promotes dignity, autonomy, and personally meaningful progress.

Role Description

The Adaptive Skills Trainer is a part-time, in-person position serving clients throughout California’s Tri-Valley and Central Valley. Services take place in clients’ homes and community settings.

Under the guidance of the Program Administrator and designated clinical supervisor, the trainer implements individualized adaptive skills plans. Areas of support may include personal care routines, household tasks, communication, organization, self-advocacy, social interaction, and community participation.

Responsibilities include:

• Teaching functional skills through modeling, guided practice, individualized prompting, and positive reinforcement.
• Using neurodiversity-affirming practices that accommodate sensory and communication needs and respect individual differences.
• Applying trauma-informed principles that promote safety, predictability, collaboration, and choice.
• Respecting assent, withdrawal of assent, requests for breaks, and expressions of discomfort, and seeking supervisory guidance when needed.
• Collecting accurate data, documenting progress, and completing session notes within scheduled work time.
• Collaborating with families, caregivers, and supervisors to support skill development across settings.
• Preparing or adapting instructional materials as directed.
• Communicating changes in client needs, scheduling concerns, and barriers to progress promptly.
• Following confidentiality, professional boundary, safety, and incident-reporting requirements.
• Participating in assigned orientation, training, and ongoing supervision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, human development, education, behavioral science, or a related field.
• Experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities or other learning and support needs preferred.
• Commitment to person-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services.
• Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Ability to implement individualized plans, adapt instruction under supervisory guidance, and respond constructively to feedback.
• Reliable transportation to assigned client homes and community locations.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or completion before beginning client services.
• Completion of required background screening, TB clearance, and other onboarding requirements.
• Official transcripts submitted directly through Parchment or the educational institution to verify education.
• Bilingual English and Spanish skills preferred.

Training and Support

Staff receive orientation, instruction on individualized service plans, and ongoing supervision. Assigned training may include the Autism Partnership Foundation’s free 40-hour RBT course. Course completion alone does not confer RBT certification.

Schedule and Compensation

Part-time hours are based on client needs, assigned service hours, and staff availability.

Hourly pay range:$30-$40

• Next Step Behavioral & Clinical Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to respectful, inclusive employment practices.