Companion/Direct Support Staff for Autism Support/Behavioral Mgmt

Job Description

Job Description

Companion / Direct Support Staff

Specialized Relationship-Based Support for an Individual with Autism

East County San Diego, California
Full-Time & Part-Time Positions Available
$30–$35/hour, depending on experience and qualifications
RDI-Informed | Relationship & Development Focused

About the Position

We are seeking a warm, patient, dependable, and emotionally attuned Companion/Direct Support Staff person to provide individualized support to an individual with Level 3 autism and intellectual disability in a residential setting.

This is a specialized direct support position for someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with another person and is interested in learning about autism, relationship-based support, emotional regulation, and Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) .

The individual has moderate to high support and behavioral needs and may experience significant anxiety, dysregulation, and PDA-type behaviors. The right candidate must be able to remain calm, flexible, patient, and relational during challenging moments.

This is more than a traditional companion role. We are looking for someone who is motivated to learn, receive training, develop specialized skills, and build a meaningful and trusting relationship with the individual.

Our Relationship-Based Approach

We believe that relationship and trust are the foundation of effective support .

RDI-informed strategies will be used to support connection, communication, shared experiences, flexible thinking, emotional regulation, and growing independence.

Previous RDI experience is not required . Training will be provided to the right candidate who is genuinely interested in learning and applying relationship-based approaches.

Individualized training will also be provided regarding the person’s unique communication style, support needs, behavioral patterns, and strategies that promote emotional safety and engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Build a Genuine Relationship

· Develop a trusting, respectful relationship through consistency, patience, and shared experiences.

· Learn and respond to the individual’s unique communication style, interests, preferences, and needs.

· Recognize subtle cues related to comfort, anxiety, interest, or the need for space.

· Prioritize emotional safety and trust.

Support Connection & Engagement

· Spend meaningful time together through enjoyable and motivating activities.

· Use interests, humor, playfulness, music, movement, and shared experiences to encourage engagement.

· Follow the individual’s lead while creating opportunities for interaction and participation.

· Use RDI-informed strategies to support communication, shared attention, social connection, and problem-solving.

Support During Challenging Moments

· Comfortably support an individual with moderate to high behavioral needs .

· Recognize behavior as communication of anxiety, overwhelm, sensory needs, loss of control, or other unmet needs.

· Remain calm and non-confrontational during dysregulation.

· Avoid unnecessary demands and power struggles.

· Follow individualized support and behavioral guidelines.

· Prioritize safety, emotional connection, and understanding rather than simply seeking compliance.

Encourage Independence & Community Participation

· Support daily activities, coping skills, flexibility, and self-regulation.

· Encourage independence while providing appropriate assistance.

· Accompany the individual in community activities and outings when appropriate.

· Promote dignity, choice, autonomy, safety, and meaningful participation.

Learn & Collaborate

· Participate in individualized training, RDI training, and ongoing coaching.

· Be open to feedback and continually refine your approach.

· Communicate observations and relevant information to the family and support team.

· Work collaboratively with House Managers and other members of the support team.

· Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

The Right Person for This Role

We are looking for someone who is:

· Warm, compassionate, patient, and emotionally mature.

· Naturally relational and genuinely enjoys connecting with others.

· Playful, flexible, creative, and curious.

· Able to remain calm when another person is anxious or dysregulated.

· Comfortable supporting moderate to high behavioral needs .

· Curious about behavior rather than quick to judge or correct it.

· Respectful of neurodiversity and individual differences.

· Comfortable with a relationship-based rather than compliance-based approach .

· Able to respect personal boundaries and the individual’s need for space.

· Dependable, responsible, and consistent.

· Able to follow individualized plans while thinking creatively in the moment.

· Comfortable receiving feedback and ongoing training.

· Motivated to learn and develop specialized skills.

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following is strongly preferred:

· Autism or intellectual/developmental disabilities

· Moderate to high behavioral support needs

· PDA or PDA-type demand avoidance

· Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) or another relationship-based approach

· Trauma-informed care

· Special education

· Direct support or residential services

· Mental or behavioral health

· Emotional regulation or sensory support

· AAC or alternative communication approaches

RDI experience is a plus, but not required. Willingness to learn RDI and incorporate its principles into daily interactions is essential.

What Makes This Position Different?

This is not simply a babysitting or task-oriented companion position , nor is it primarily focused on forcing compliance.

The goal is to provide thoughtful, relationship-based support that helps the individual experience:

Connection • Safety • Meaningful Engagement • Growing Independence • Participation in Everyday Life

Sometimes the most important work is simply being present, building trust, sharing an experience, and creating a safe space in which a relationship can grow.

At the same time, this role requires someone who is comfortable with significant behavioral challenges and willing to develop the skills needed to respond effectively.

Compensation & Training

$30–$35/hour , depending on experience and qualifications.

The higher compensation reflects the specialized nature of the position and the expectation that the successful candidate will develop specialized skills through ongoing training and coaching.

Training provided: Individualized training related to the person’s support needs, communication, behavioral strategies, trauma-informed care, emotional regulation, and Relationship Development Intervention (RDI).

Schedule

Full-time and part-time positions available.

Specific days and hours will be determined based on the individual’s needs and the family’s schedule. Some flexibility may be required.

Location: East County San Diego, California

To Apply

Please submit a resume and a brief description of your experience working with individuals with autism, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and/or moderate to high support needs.