Professional Employment Specialist

Professional Employment Specialist - Lancaster, CA

Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis · Lancaster, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-10-06

Workplace: on_site

Department: STEP Employment and Community-Based Behavior Day Service

Description

Hiring Professional Employment Specialists to support Adults with Developmental Disabilities in Lancaster, CA

Join the Team at the Institute of Applied Behavior Analysis!

Comprehensive PAID training!

Do you enjoy supporting and training individuals? Do you want to make a significant impact of positive change to the special needs population?

Enhance your career and join our community-based day services team! You can be a part of a rewarding opportunity to support adults with autism and/or other intellectual disabilities. We’re rapidly expanding and in need of new staff who are eager to grow with the company. Candidates can be experienced or IABA will provide training for highly motivated non-experienced staff! Bachelor's Degree holders and folks pivoting their career are encouraged to apply!

As a Professional Employment Specialist, you will have more than just a job - you will have the opportunity to directly impact someone’s life for the better! You will support individuals with disabilities and match them with activities, volunteer work, interests, and/or employment.

Every day brings a new experience and opportunity to learn, teach and support while promoting the success of full inclusion in the community! Your daily routine can include:

• Help individuals connect with fun and meaningful community activities
• Teach and reinforce independent living skills and vocational skills
• Address and redirect aggression and challenging behaviors effectively
• Support positive behavior development
• Provide clear verbal guidance (verbal prompting, effective redirection, positive reinforcement, praise, and validation) throughout sessions
• Provide personal care and activities of daily living (ADLs) as required
• Document services and communicate with team members as needed
• Celebrating wins (big and small!) and genuinely having fun along the way
• Assist with job placement, volunteer opportunities, and skill development
• Provide job coaching and on-site employment support
• Provide transportation using personal vehicle and assist with public transportation training

Requirements

• Possess a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in psychology, nursing, social work, ABA, rehabilitation, or comparable degree in a Human Services field
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities
• Experience addressing aggression and challenging behaviors strongly preferred
• Conduct themselves in a professional, responsible and reliable manner
• Have the motivation to learn new skills and help people
• Demonstrate honesty and respect
• Adhere to written support plans for clients
• Ability to provide clear verbal guidance and redirection

• Possess a reliable automobile and be willing to transport clients

• CPR/First Aid certification prior to hire

• Negative TB test result
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, squat, and lift 25 lbs.
• Physically assist, guide, and facilitate movement of clients that need assistance (e.g., transfer in/out of wheelchair) and other mobility issues specific to client, and stand or walk for extended periods of time.
• Provide assistance with personal care and restroom support
• Possess a valid California Driver's license and provide a current driving record issued by the DMV
• Provide proof of current car insurance
• Complete Acre Training within first year of employment

Important Details!

• Monday-Friday Schedule
• Full-Time
• 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
• Preferred availability 7 am-4 pm
• 30-32 hours/week

Compensation

• $25-27/hour depending on years of experience

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Mileage Reimbursement

Important information

• This role involves unsupervised, direct support of children and/or adults in home, school, and community settings. Duties include implementing behavior plans, managing behavioral escalations, assisting with daily living needs, entering private residences, and accessing confidential health and personal information. Employment is contingent upon meeting applicable pre-employment requirements, which may include verification of education, employment history, credentials, motor vehicle records (if applicable), and other role- or state-specific requirements. 
• This role includes paid training and professional development opportunities, including required ACRE-related training and competency development designed to support success in employment services. Team members are required to successfully complete and pass all required training coursework, assessments, and competency requirements as part of the role within their first year.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

• It is the policy of IABA to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Other duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Apply

Apply at Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis

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