Employment Specialist - STEP Employment and Community-Based Behavior Day Service
About the job
- Possess a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
- Conduct oneself 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.
- Possess a reliable automobile and be willing to transport clients.
- Provide personal care assistance, including restroom assistance, changing diapers, wheelchair assistance, and support with activities of daily living.
- Hold CPR and First Aid certification.
- Provide a negative tuberculosis test result.
- Be able to sit, stand, walk, kneel, squat, and lift 25 pounds.
- Successfully pass a Live Scan Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation background check.
- Complete ACRE training within the first year of employment.
- Possess a valid California driver's license and provide a current driving record issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Provide proof of current car insurance with the employee's name listed on the policy.
- Successfully complete and pass required training coursework, assessments, and competency requirements within the first year.
- Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, which may include verification of education, employment history, credentials, and motor vehicle records, as applicable.
- Facilitate meaningful community connections with clients.
- Facilitate employment, volunteer, and life-skills-building opportunities.
- Support individuals at their places of employment, school, and throughout their community.
- Integrate clients into their community.
- Assist individuals in using public transportation.
- Provide transportation using a personal vehicle as assigned.
- Support personal care needs and provide restroom assistance as needed.
- Teach independent life skills.
- Increase helpful, adaptive behaviors.
- Provide direct support to children and/or adults in home, school, and community settings, including implementing behavior plans, managing behavioral escalations, assisting with daily living needs, entering private residences, and accessing confidential health and personal information.
- Prior training and/or experience in applied behavior analysis.
- Experience working with individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.
- Prior experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Direct Support Professional, Case Manager, Caregiver, Behavior Technician, Behavior Interventionist, Job Coach, or Life Skills Coach.
About the company
The Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis focuses on improving how professionals support people with challenging behavior by promoting non-aversive, person-centered approaches. It provides guidance and resources to help practitioners design and implement positive behavior support plans that emphasize safety, dignity, and individualized supports. The work centers on applying behavior analytic methods to reduce challenging behavior without punishment, using proactive strategies, function-based interventions, and data-driven decision making. Compared with others in the field, the institute differentiates itself by explicitly prioritizing non-aversive, person-centered practices and practical resources for real-world application, rather than relying on punitive or coercive methods. The goal is to advance ethical, effective, and humane support for individuals with challenging behavior, helping them participate more fully in daily life and achieve better quality of life.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
Founded
1981
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- BACB keeps demand rising through 2025 employment data and 2027 certification changes.
- IABA's telehealth and in-person California delivery broadens access for families.
- Rising industry enforcement can advantage compliant operators over weaker competitors.
What critics are saying
- Cuellar v. IABA filed February 2026 alleges rest-break, meal, and wage violations.
- ABA providers face escalating DOJ, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and FCA scrutiny in 2026.
- If reimbursement or compliance pressure worsens, staffing and margins deteriorate quickly.
What makes Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis unique
- Founded in 1981 by Dr. Gary LaVigna and Dr. Thomas Willis, IABA has deep ABA roots.
- IABA focuses on positive practices for challenging behavior, not generic autism care.
- Its California footprint spans Camarillo and Culver City, supporting regional service depth.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Training Programs
- Mentorship Program
- Phone/Internet Stipend
- Employee Referral Bonus