Job Purpose:

Collaborate with highly skilled professionals and highly experienced staff to develop, plan, implement, and assess programs for transition aged youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Employment Specialist/Job Coach will utilize evidence-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (“ASD”) to plan and teach activities that enable participants to increase independent living, communication, and pre-vocational skills in preparation for paid employment. The tasks may take place at The Els Center of Excellence or in community-based settings. Approximately 20 hours per week.

Job Coach Responsibilities: 

Instruction

• Develop visual and communication supports for program participants and complete a referral for clinical services (BCBA, SLP, MHC) and support as needed
• Utilize a system of least prompts and fading strategies during skill acquisition, practice, and maintenance

Planning

• Assist in the development and implementation of career support inventory
• Conduct an environmental assessment of worksite and develop visual supports for participants prior to their first day of employment
• Collaborate with supervisor/Program Director to conduct applicant interviews, situational assessments, and orientation
• Perform document reviews for each client before the start of program
• Ensure all client documents are completed and uploaded to Central Reach prior to providing services

Collaboration

• Collaborate with host worksite staff and management to ensure program fidelity
• Provide sensitivity training to employer partners and staff to ensure they learn effective strategies in supporting employees with autism and related developmental disabilities prior to client start
• Work with employers and worksite staff to ensure they take responsibility for onboarding, supervision, provision of accommodations, and ongoing communication with client/employee
• Serve as a liaison between participants, their families, Els for Autism staff, and host worksite
• Ensure weekly communication with clients and their support networks during job exploration in order to ensure timely employment placement
• Communicate all progress updates for VR clients to ensure the participant, participant’s support network, and participant’s VR counselor are kept apprised of all relevant information

Job Placement

• Actively assist in acquiring paid employment leads in the community
• Ensure meetings and conversations with potential employers support the desires of clients, adhere to HIPAA standards, and display a high standard of integrity and conduct while serving as a representative and ambassador for the Els for Autism, its mission, and the vision of the Els family
• Actively assist in matching participants to available positions in the community, as driven by their employment goal stated in their Individualized Plan for Employment
• Assist participants in resume writing, completing job applications, interviews, orientation, and on-the-job support

Assessment

• Use Central Reach to document meeting notes and daily progress notes for clients every week in a timely manner
• Perform daily, weekly, and pre/post assessments, as instructed by supervisor/Program Director
• Assist supervisor/Program Director in disseminating surveys to clients, families, and employers pre- and post- program.

Work Environment

• This job requires flexibility in schedule (with a need for working during evenings and weekends) and commuting between worksite locations in support of clients.
• Office work is completed on campus and may include shared office space.
• May be responsible for transporting clients as needed to community-based locations using a company van.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate’s Degree in Education, Rehabilitation, Applied Behavior Analysis or related field
• Minimum 2 years of experience teaching/coaching individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR certification
• Valid Florida Driver’s License and reliable transportation

Preferred

• Experience teaching adults with developmental disabilities
• Experience teaching job skills in community-based settings
• Experience securing paid employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities

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 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 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 Personal Care Aide (“PCA”) will work with other experienced staff in a team atmosphere to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental disabilities to facilitate program and individual goals.

The PCA will need to be able to actively participate and assist participants during volunteer projects, physical activities and instructional classes, both on the campus and off-campus during outings across community-based settings.

Direct Support: 

• 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; monitoring as required  
• Follow behavioral and safety program procedures to ensure safety 
• Provide direct and continuous supervision of program participants during activities, instructional classes, lessons special guests, volunteer projects, transition times to and from locations, while crossing the street, loading, and unloading vehicles and mealtimes, and public restrooms.
• Communicate with participant parents, guardians, and/or caregivers under the direct guidance of the Adult Services Program Coordinator or Associate Director of Adult Services
• Report all concerns, accidents and or incidents; completing written reports as directed
• Help set up, maintain and breakdown program spaces, equipment and supplies to ensure a safe and organized environment

Professional Development & Professionalism

• Complete and receive a certificate in the professional crisis management (PCM) program
• Adhere to HIPAA standards while collecting, storing, and sharing electronic personal health information
• Complete training required/offered by Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) as a MedWaiver provider, and additional training, as assigned
• Must always be alert and aware to respond to participant needs.

Qualifications and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent 
• 1+ years’ experience working with children, youth, and/or adults with ASD or related developmental disabilities
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR certification
• Valid Florida Driver’s License and reliable transportation

Work Environment

• Interact with clients indoors or outside across campus and in the community
• Subject to frequent interruptions and changing priorities
• Must always be alert and aware to respond to participant needs.
• May require flexible scheduling
• 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.