Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Specialist

Adaptive Skills Training Specialist (Direct Support / Behavior Specialist)

Location: Fremont, CA

Employment Type: Full-Time | Non-Exempt

Pay Range: $28 - $34 / hourly (depending on experience and qualifications)

Working Schedule: Mondays - Fridays (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Are you a recent or experienced college graduate in Psychology, Behavior Management, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Education, Social Work, Rehabilitation, Speech & Language, Nursing, Marriage & Family Therapy?

Join a well established thriving non-profit, Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) and help adults with autism and developmental disabilities.

FCSN's Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program provides individualized, person-centered support that helps participants develop practical life skills, social skills, communication, self-care, community integration, and vocational readiness.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone beginning a career in behavioral health, special education, ABA, developmental disabilities, psychology, or human services as well as experienced professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.

What You'll Do

• Provide 1:1 adaptive skills training and direct support to adults with autism and developmental disabilities.
• Implement individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), positive behavioral support, and ABA-based strategies under professional supervision.
• Teach and reinforce communication, social, coping, self-regulation, daily living, and independent-living skills.
• Facilitate life-skills classes, vocational activities, recreational programs, and community-based activities.
• Promote community integration, independence, self-determination, and social participation.
• Collect data and document skill acquisition, behavior, progress, incidents, and ISP objectives.
• Collaborate with BCBAs, OTs, AST professionals, families, and other team members to provide consistent, high-quality support.
• Use appropriate de-escalation, crisis prevention, and safety techniques when needed.
• Help create a supportive, respectful environment where every participant is treated with dignity, choice, and respect.
• Support activities of daily living (ADLs), including hygiene, grooming, dressing, feeding, meal preparation, and other self-care skills.
• Participate in Individual Service Plan (ISP) meetings, parent check-ins, staff training, and team meetings

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Behavior Management, ABA, Education, Social Work, Rehabilitation, Speech & Language, Nursing, Marriage & Family Therapy, or a related human services field.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Patience, empathy, reliability, professionalism, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
• Ability to work in facility, community, and home-based settings.
• Valid California driver's license and clean driving record.

Preferred:

• Experience working with individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, or challenging behaviors.
• Experience with ABA, behavioral intervention, special education, direct support, life-skills training, or case management.
• Mandarin or Cantonese language skills.
• Experience collecting behavioral or skill-acquisition data.

Training & Certifications

• CPR & First Aid
• CPI / Crisis Prevention

Employment is subject to required DOJ/CDSS fingerprint clearance, health screening, and TB testing.

Why Join FCSN?

• $28-$34/hour
• Professional training and opportunities to develop your career in behavioral health, ABA, special education, and human services
• Warm & supportive work environment

Employee Benefits:

• Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) for Wellness & Fitness
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Sick Leave (PSL)
• 401(k) & 401(k) IRA company matching
• Holiday Paid Days
• Sign-On Bonus
• Referral Bonus

Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is a California Bay Area non-profit organization founded in 1996. We are dedicated to helping individuals with special needs and their families find love, hope, respect, and support through meaningful participation and inclusion in the community.

If you are compassionate, energetic, patient, and ready to turn your education into meaningful work, we'd love to hear from you.