Independent Living Services (ILS) Instructor

aesassistance; Fremont (CA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Holiday pay

Mileage reimbursement

Flexible scheduling

Opportunities for advancement

Job summary

Adult Enrichment Services seeks an Independent Living Services (ILS) Instructor to work one-on-one with adults with developmental disabilities in homes and communities. You will coach, teach, and provide tailored support to help clients gain independence in daily living skills.

You'll cover budgeting, cooking, transportation, appointments, organization, and community participation, documenting progress and staying connected with the team.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Experience or interest in teaching life skills is preferred.
• Ability to travel to clients' homes and community locations.

Responsibilities

• Work one-on-one with adults with developmental disabilities.
• Teach independent living skills based on each client’s goals.
• Support clients with grocery shopping, meal planning, and basic cooking skills.
• Teach budgeting, money management, bill organization, and responsible spending.
• Assist clients in scheduling and attending medical or personal appointments.
• Teach household skills including cleaning, laundry, organization, and maintaining a safe home.
• Help clients learn transportation skills and navigate communities.
• Support clients with communication, social skills, self-advocacy, and decision-making.
• Encourage participation in community activities and meaningful experiences.
• Track progress toward goals and document progress.

Skills

Independent living coaching

Strong communication

Reliability

Organization

Time-management

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Help adults with developmental disabilities build the skills and confidence to live more independently. As an ILS Instructor, you’ll work one-on-one with clients in their homes and communities, teaching everyday skills such as budgeting, cooking, transportation, appointments, organization, and community participation.

About the role

About the role
Adult Enrichment Services is seeking an Independent Living Services (ILS) Instructor to work one-on-one with adults with developmental disabilities in their homes and communities.
This is a hands-on teaching and mentorship position focused on helping individuals become more independent in their everyday lives.
Rather than completing tasks for clients, you will coach, teach, encourage, and provide the level of support each individual needs to develop skills and work toward their personal goals.
Services may take place in the client’s home, at appointments, while shopping, in the community, or anywhere appropriate for practicing independent living skills.
You’ll work independently while staying connected with our team and documenting each client’s progress.

What you'll do

Day to day

• Work one-on-one with adults with developmental disabilities.
• Teach independent living skills based on each client’s individual goals.
• Support clients with grocery shopping, meal planning, and basic cooking skills.
• Teach budgeting, money management, bill organization, and responsible spending.
• Assist clients in learning how to schedule and attend medical or personal appointments.
• Teach household skills including cleaning, laundry, organization, and maintaining a safe home.
• Help clients learn transportation skills and safely navigate their communities.
• Support clients with communication, social skills, self-advocacy, and decision-making.
• Encourage participation in community activities, recreation, and other meaningful experiences.
• Help clients understand mail, paperwork, calendars, and everyday responsibilities.
• Track progress toward goals and complete accurate service documentation.
• Communicate important updates or concerns with supervisors and the client’s support team.

A typical shift

You may begin your shift at the client’s home and review what they want or need to accomplish that day.

A shift might include helping a client create a grocery list and budget, going shopping together, teaching them how to prepare a meal, practicing transportation, organizing their home, attending an appointment, or working toward another individual goal.

Before finishing your shift, you’ll complete your service notes and document the progress made toward the client’s goals.

Physical requirements

• Ability to travel independently to clients’ homes and community locations throughout the assigned service area.
• Ability to drive for periods of time as needed for client appointments, errands, and community activities.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, reach, and move throughout the community during a typical shift.
• Ability to accompany clients while grocery shopping, attending appointments, using community resources, or participating in recreational activities.
• Ability to lift and carry light household items, groceries, or supplies up to 25 pounds as needed.
• Ability to safely enter and exit homes, vehicles, stores, offices, and other community settings.
• Ability to use a smartphone or computer for scheduling, communication, and electronic service documentation.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Paid training
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees.
• Holiday pay.
• Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel.
• Flexible scheduling based on client availability.
• Hands-on experience in developmental disability services, independent living support, and community-based care.
• Opportunities for advancement within the organization.

What you need

REQUIRED

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Reliable transportation.
• Current automobile insurance if driving is required for the position.
• Ability to travel to clients’ homes and community locations.
• Ability to communicate professionally with clients, families, coworkers, and members of the client’s support team.
• Strong reliability, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision.
• Ability to complete accurate electronic service notes and documentation.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to complete required background clearances and employment requirements.

PREFERRED

• Experience supporting adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Previous ILS, SLS, Direct Support Professional, caregiving, behavioral health, social services, teaching, or related experience.
• CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification.
• Experience teaching life skills or working one-on-one with individuals in community settings.

YOU MAY BE A GREAT FIT IF YOU ARE

• Patient and dependable.
• A strong communicator and listener.
• Comfortable working independently.
• Able to teach instead of simply completing tasks for someone.
• Respectful of individual choice and different abilities.
• Good at problem-solving and adapting to different situations.
• Motivated by helping people become more confident and independent.

Adult Enrichment Services is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The pay range above is the range we reasonably expect to pay for this role. Need an accommodation to apply, or want to know more? Read our Equal Opportunity & Pay Transparency policy .