Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: 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)

About Us

Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is a California Bay Area non-profit organization founded in 1996 and focused on helping individuals with special needs and their families find love, hope, respect, and support through integrated community involvement.

Program Overview

Our Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program is seeking an energetic, patient, detail-oriented, and reliable
Adaptive Skills Training Specialist . The position is responsible for providing training and supervision to adults with developmental challenges.

The Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program provides 1:1 individualized services to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities. The program aims to enhance existing skills, remediate deficits, and promote independence, social participation, and self-determination.

Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program services enhance an individual’s existing skills. They also may remedy an individual’s skill deficits in communication, social function, or other related skill areas, including, but not limited to, the following categories: (a) safety skills; (b) skills needed to access the community; (c) hygiene and dressing skills; (d) skills needed to access technology; (e) skills needed to buy and prepare food; (f) competency training; (g) housekeeping skills; (h) toileting skills; (i) feeding skills (including addressing picky eating, food refusal, and sensory-based issues with food); (j) staff and personnel training; (k) communication; (l) challenging behavior; (m) sleep and sleep hygiene; (n) choice making; and (o) specialty counseling. 

All AST staff comply with CDSS, DDS, HIPAA, Title 17, and Title 22 regulations, maintain documentation, and ensure dignity, safety, and client rights.

Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Reports To: AST Director, Assistant Director

Role Focus: Implements adaptive skills training plans, Direct adaptive skills instruction, ISP support

Behavioral Support

• Lead implementation of BIPs and ABA strategies
• Mentor BMT staff in behavior support and crisis prevention
• Participate in behavioral assessments and intervention planning
• Implement Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), positive behavioral support strategies, and individualized programming as developed under supervisor direction.
• Apply Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles, CPI intervention techniques, de-escalation strategies, sensory integrations, and environmental modifications to support emotional regulation and reduce challenging behaviors.
• Teach, model, and reinforce functional communication, coping skills, and replacement behaviors.
• Monitor participant behaviors and respond appropriately to behavioral, emotional, or safety concerns in accordance with program protocols.
• Maintain participant dignity, privacy, personal rights, and confidentiality at all times.
• Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, injuries, safety concerns, or participant rights violations in accordance with organizational policies and mandated reporting requirements.

Adaptive Skills Training & Direct Care

• Adapt curriculum and materials for individualized instruction
• Monitor skill acquisition for multiple clients and mentor BMTs in delivery
• Provide individualized support and adaptive skills training to promote participants independence, self-care, vocational readiness, emotional well-being, and community integration.
• Support participants with activities of daily living (ADLs), including feeding, toileting, hygiene, grooming, dressing, mobility, and meal preparation using person-centered and least-restrictive approaches.
• Plan, prepare, adapt, and facilitate structured classes, vocational training, recreational activities, life skills instruction, and community-based activities tailored to participant needs and goals. 
• Encourage participant active participation, engagement, social interaction, and positive peer relationships during program activities.
• Support participants in accessing community resources, volunteer opportunities, recreational outings, and other community integration activities.
• Safely transport participants to program activities, volunteer sites, community outings, appointments, and other approved locations as assigned.
• Respect participants’ needs and choices while facilitating and motivating them to learn.
• Build and maintain a supportive, trusting relationship with each participant to promote engagement, comfort, and meaningful progress toward their individual goals. 

Data Collection & Documentation

• Review BMT data for accuracy and completeness
• Prepare ISP progress reports and monthly check-ins
• Collect and maintain accurate daily documentation related to participant behaviors, skill acquisition, progress, participation, and incidents.
• Complete Daily Progress Reports, incident reports, ISP objective tracking, monthly summaries, and other required documentation in a timely manner.
• Assist with semi-annual and annual ISP progress reports and other participant-related documentation as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality of participant information in compliance with HIPAA, CDSS regulations, and organizational policies.

Collaboration & Communication

• Participate actively in ISP meetings and parent check-ins as assigned
• Collaborate with AST Professionals, BCBAs, families, and staff to ensure program fidelity
• Communicate effectively, respectfully, and proactively with participants, families, team members, and supervisors regarding participants' needs, progress, safety, incidents, and concerns.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, team meetings, ISP meetings, and parent check-ins; contribute meaningfully to the development and review of care plans. Attendance at all staff meetings and training is mandatory.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members to ensure consistent implementation of participant support plans. 
• Provide close supervision, assistance, and engagement to ensure participants' safety, well-being, and needs are consistently met.
• Be a collaborative and supportive team member; support coworkers and actively promote a positive team culture and morale.

Program Flexibility & Team Support

• Participate in cross-training to develop skills and effectively support multiple participants across program settings.
• Demonstrate flexibility in accepting participant assignments based on program and participant needs as determined by supervisors.
• Provide consistent, quality support to all assigned participants and collaborate with team members to ensure continuity of services.

Safety & Emergency Procedures

• Supervise BMTs to ensure proper application of CPI, First Aid, CPR, and emergency protocols
• Maintain a safe environment for all participants across all program settings, including the facility, community, and home-based activities.
• Follow established safety protocols and emergency procedures; intervene promptly and appropriately as situations require.
• Engage in proactive, precautionary practices to identify and mitigate health, safety, and other risks to participants' well-being.
• Apply CPI, First Aid, CPR, and other emergency protocols,  including evacuations, as appropriate to participant needs and circumstances.

Administrative Duties

• Assist in staff training, onboarding, and program compliance tracking
• Participate in program evaluations and quality improvement initiatives
• Complete all required HR paperwork including timekeeping, mileage reporting, and training documentation accurately and on time.
• Maintain current certifications, clearances, and compliance documentation as required for the position.
• Participate in required training, organizational events, and program activities. 
• When assigned to support participants during scheduled meal times, staff are expected to provide active supervision and assistance during lunch as part of their compensated work hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Nursing, Social Work, Applied Behavior Analysis, or behavior medicine, speech and language, rehabilitation, marriage and family therapy, or a comparable degree in a human services related field.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities preferred.

Professional Skills:

• Proficient oral and written communication skills in English; Mandarin or Cantonese preferred. 
• Ability to implement positive behavioral support strategies and respond effectively to challenging behaviors.
• Ability to facilitate structured activities, adaptive skills training, and participant engagement.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining professionalism and sound judgment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, email communication, and electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to adapt to changing participant needs and program priorities.

Certifications & Compliance:

• CPR and First Aid certification required within one (1) month of hire.
• CPI certification required within three (3) months of hire if not already current.
• Successful completion of DOJ and CDSS fingerprint clearance, health screening, and TB testing prior to employment.
• A valid California Driver's License and a clean driving record are required. Transporting participants to community activities, outings, and appointments is an essential function of this position that cannot be comparably performed using alternative transportation (California Government Code §12940, SB 1100, effective January 1, 2025). 
• Current automobile insurance required if transporting participants in a personal vehicle.

Personal Traits:

• Patient, caring, empathetic, and genuinely committed to enhancing the quality of life, independence, and well-being of adults with developmental disabilities.
• Reliable, punctual, and accountable; takes initiative and follows through on responsibilities with a strong work ethic.
• Creative, innovative, and solution-oriented, with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to work effectively across program, community, and home-based settings.
• Collaborative team player who supports coworkers, respects diverse perspectives, and contributes to a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Committed to upholding the dignity, rights, and privacy of all participants at all times.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, in accordance with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Ability to stand, walk, and remain on feet for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and assist with participant transfers, mobility support, personal care, and hygiene tasks.
• Ability to push a manual wheelchair for participants who require mobility assistance during facility activities, community outings, and transportation as assigned. 
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds unassisted on a regular basis.
• Ability to operate electronic devices, including tablets and computers, for documentation and communication purposes.
• Ability to drive and transport participants in personal or company vehicles during community outings, field trips, and other program activities; a personal vehicle with valid registration and current automobile insurance is required when transporting participants.
• Must be available for varied assignments across program, community, and home-based settings as operational needs require.

Company-Wide Hiring Requirements

• Must pass CDSS and DOJ fingerprint-based background clearance prior to employment
• Must pass a health screening and TB test prior to employment
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a clean driving record
• Obtain valid CPR and First Aid Certificate within one month of employment (employer-covered)
  
• Use of mask when recommended/required by the local Public Health Department.
  

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) & company matching
• Holiday Paid Days
• Sign-On Bonus
• Referral Bonus Program