Job Purpose:

Els for Autism is located in Jupiter Florida on a beautiful 26-acre campus. This position works with the Program Director to lead, plan, implement, evaluate and continuously improve the Els for Autism Adult Day Training (ADT) Program which is housed in our new 21,000 square foot Adult Services Building designed specifically to meet the needs of autistic adults.

This role involves strategic oversight of daily programmatic operations, staff, outside support assistants, and volunteers, while incorporating evidence-based practices in applied behavior analysis (ABA) to ensure high-quality service delivery for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities.

This position is responsible for overseeing and monitoring all clients, families/guardians and services within the program and collaborate as part of a transdisciplinary team of highly qualified clinical professionals.

Program Operations, Monitoring and Support:

• Conduct intake meetings and situational assessments with incoming participants and their families to review program goals, provide orientation, and offer appropriate community resources.
• Perform document reviews, using both formal and informal assessments to develop individual implementation plans for each client, written from the client’s perspective.
• Create and monitor the use of data tracking systems and monthly billing systems for the ADT Program, as required by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD.
• Ensure safe program operations through regular incident reporting, safety audits, and adherence to ratios on campus and in the community.
• Serve as a primary liaison with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Waiver Support Managers, participants, families, case managers, and other persons or entities who provide services or support to the client.
• Monitor the ADT Program staffing needs and collaborate with the Program Director and the Human Resources Department in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of staff advertised staff positions and in securing volunteers.
• Work collaboratively with the Program Director to prepare for and ensure successful outcomes of annual program external and internal audits.
• Seek out and collaborate with local community organizations to provide inclusive program activities for clients across settings.
• Collaborate with transdisciplinary team members (e.g., SLP, OT, MHC) to develop integrated strategies to address clients’ needs.
• Oversee and support ADT Program instructors in developing and implementing engaging monthly schedules, instructional activities, hands on materials, communication tools and visual supports aligned with client needs and evidence-based teaching strategies.
• Ensure all program staff adhere to HIPAA standards while collecting, storing and sharing PHI.

Staff Management & Support:

Use evidence-based management strategies to foster a positive work culture focused on performance feedback, reinforcement, accountability, and professional growth.
Supervise, mentor, and coach ADT instructors, support assistants, and volunteers to ensure fidelity to instructional models, positive behavior supports, and safety protocols.
Implement and monitor staff training plans, including onboarding, continuing education, and regulatory compliance (APD, HIPAA, etc.).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Education leadership, Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, Social Work, Recreation Therapy, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience providing direct services and/or managing programs for adults with autism or related developmental disabilities.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience supervising staff in a community-based program including individuals with autism or related developmental disabilities or educational setting.
• Demonstrated understanding of effective management strategies and ability to apply them in a team leadership context.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience managing an ADT program for adults with autism and related developmental disabilities
• Experience managing an APD/MedWaiver-funded Adult Day Training Program.
• Experience developing and implementing person-centered planning and documentation in Central Reach or comparable platforms.
• Work Environment/Requirements:
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Required to sit, kneel, stand or bend in support of clients’ needs
• Work is normally performed on campus in a typical classroom environment and visually engineered vocational labs, and in community-based locations.
• May be Responsible for transporting clients as needed to community-based locations using a company van.
• CPR, First Aid Certification and Professional Crisis Management (PCM) Certification or willingness to obtain

Els for Autism is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Els for Autism is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, where diversity is valued and all individuals, regardless of background, identity, or ability, are respected and provided equal opportunities for success. To learn more, please visit elsforautism.org.

Job Purpose:

The Adult Day Training Program Direct Support Professional (DSP) works with graduate/doctoral level professionals and highly experienced staff in a team atmosphere to facilitate the Adult Day Training programs by providing direct supervision, supporting participants, developing Implementation plans, and collecting and interpreting data for goal attainment.

The DSP will utilize evidence-based practices for individuals with ASD and related developmental disabilities to assist participants and carry out the goals of the program. The successful candidate will actively participate and assist participants during volunteer projects and instructional classes while out in the community and on-site. In addition, the DSP will actively participate in a variety of physical activities in support of recreation as a therapy. These activities take place at The Els Center of Excellence® and in community-based settings.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide continuous direct support to, and supervision of, program participants
• through coaching, modeling, and hands-on support.
• Maintain knowledge of all program participants’ medical, physical, communication
• and behavioral needs/concerns.
• Follow behavioral and safety program procedures to ensure participants’ safety.
• Provide direct and continuous supervision of program participants during
• activities, instructional classes, lessons, volunteer projects, transition times to
• and from locations.
• Actively participate directly with the participants in all program activities during
• scheduled work hours.
• Assist program volunteers during program activities.
• Report all concerns, accidents, and/or incidents to Adult Day Training Program
• Coordinator or the Program Director as written in the policies and procedures
• manual.
• Ability to assume van driver or attendant duties as needed.
• Track and monitors van usage, mileage, preventive maintenance, gas and
• cleanliness.
• Communicate with participant parents, guardians, and/or caregivers to develop
• implementation plan.
• Collect, document, and maintain participant data for programs.
• Work directly with the Adult Day Training Coordinator and Instructors to keep up
• to date with program schedules including off-site trips, structured activities,
• learning experiences, special guests, and arrangement of activities.
• Provide feedback about activities and outings.
• Maintain physical environment for program activity.
• Ensure a safe physical environment for all.

Required Qualifications / Work Environment

• High School diploma or equivalent plus some experience as a caregiver.
• Minimum of 1 year experience working with children or adults with ASD or other
• developmental disabilities.
• Ability to complete and receive certificate in professional crisis management
• program after hire.
• Work is performed in a classroom setting on the Els for Autism Campus.
• Schedule is Monday-Friday.
• Dress is workplace casual.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 years’ experience in a similar capacity working with children, youth and/or
• adults with ASD or other developmental disabilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, Special Education, Psychology, Social Work or
• Human Services.
• RBT certification
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) or HeartSaver and CPR certification
• Valid Florida Driver’s License, with the ability to drive.

Els for Autism is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Els for Autism is committed tofostering a safe and inclusive workplace, where diversity is valued and all individuals regardless of background, identity, or ability, are respected and provided equal opportunities for success. To learn more, please visit elsforautism.org.

Job Purpose:

The Personal Care Aide (“PCA”) will utilize evidence-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities to assist participants and carry out the goals of the program. The PCA will need to be able to actively participate and assist participants in a variety of physical activities such as fitness, swimming, and golf both on campus at The Els Center of Excellence® and off- campus during outings across community-based settings.

Duties: 

• Provide continuous direct support to program participants through coaching, modeling, and hands-on instructional support
• Assist program participants with all specific needs including activities of daily living, personal care, and hygiene as needed
• Document services delivered in accordance with Els for Autism Foundation® policies and procedures.
• Maintain knowledge of all program participants’ medical, physical, communication, and behavioral needs/concerns
• Provide direct and continuous supervision of program participants during activities, instructional classes, lessons special guests, volunteer projects, either on campus or while out in the community
• Communicate with participant parents, guardians, and/or caregivers under the direct guidance of the Adult Services Program Coordinator or Associate Director of Adult Services
• Assist Program Coordinator and Instructor with planning, implementing and facilitating program activities and outings including assisting program volunteers as needed
• Create a safe space for participants, staff, and volunteers by monitoring and maintaining of the physical environment to include set up and break down physical environment for program activity
• Collect, document, and maintain participant data for programs

Team
Successful applicant will be working with a program team of 30 graduate/doctoral level professionals and highly experienced staff in a team atmosphere to facilitate programs, provide direct supervision, and support participants in daily living skills.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent and some experience in a caregiver role
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR certification
• Valid Florida Driver’s License and reliable transportation
• Must complete and receive a certificate in the professional crisis management (PCM) program upon hire

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• 1+ years’ experience working with children, youth, and/or adults with ASD or related developmental disabilities

Work hours are Monday-Friday.

Els for Autism is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Els for Autism is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, where diversity is valued and all individuals, regardless of background, identity, or ability, are respected and provided equal opportunities for success. To learn more, please visit elsforautism.org.