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)

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 fcsn1996.org) 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

If you don’t already have them, FCSN provides employer-supported training for required certifications, including:

• 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 

About FCSN website: fcsn1996.org

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.