Life Skill Coach

Program:  Life Skills Services 

Status: Regular, Full Time

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Supervisor: Program Director

Classification Type: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week

Location:  HCAR Bay Center  

Hourly Rate: $16.90 - $26.23 per hour

Position Summary

The Life Skills Coach provides functional, social, behavioral, community living, and vocational skills training to adults with developmental disabilities in community integrated and program-based settings. This position supports individuals in working toward goals identified in their service plans, promotes independence and positive behavior, provides care and supervision during assigned activities, and maintains accurate documentation related to participant progress, support needs, and program requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned based on program and organizational needs.

• Implement participant Individual Service Plans, service objectives, and related support strategies under the direction of the Service Coordinator or assigned supervisor.

• Implement participant Behavior Support Plans or related behavioral strategies under the direction of the Resource Specialist or appropriate program leadership.

• Participate in participant assessments and ongoing review of service plan objectives, behavior support goals, skill development, and progress.

• Provide care, supervision, and skills training to individuals and groups in community integrated and program-based settings.

• Support skill development in areas such as behavioral and social skills, community access, independent living, vocational readiness, communication, safety awareness, and use of community resources.

• Provide coaching and support to reduce or redirect challenging behaviors and promote positive behaviors through verbal and nonverbal prompts, modeling, reinforcement, and approved support strategies.

• Supervise participants in vocational skills training and maintain participant timesheets or related documentation for paid work activities when applicable.

• Assist participants with personal care activities, including toileting, feeding, hygiene, and other support needs, using proper training and respectful practices.

• Assist participants with personal devices or mobility supports such as wheelchairs, walkers, prostheses, braces, or other adaptive equipment.

• Assist with lifting, transferring, positioning, and mobility support for adult participants using proper training, safety procedures, and assigned support plans.

• Maintain timely and accurate records, including daily tracking, case notes, service documentation, behavior documentation, and other records required for service plans or program monitoring.

• Drive agency vehicles or transport participants to community locations, activities, appointments, or assigned service locations as required and authorized.

• Follow HCAR policies, confidentiality requirements, participant rights standards, safety practices, and applicable program procedures.

• Report incidents, safety concerns, behavioral concerns, injuries, or other significant participant updates to the appropriate supervisor in a timely manner.

• Maintain required certifications, clearances, and agency training, including CPR, first aid, mandated training, and other assigned training requirements.

Additional One-to-One Support Assignments

When assigned to provide one-to-one or higher-level support, the Life Skills Coach may have additional responsibilities based on participant needs and the applicable service plan.

• Provide one-to-one attendant care for participants with physical support needs, intensive behavioral support needs, self-injurious behaviors, elopement risk, or other safety concerns.

• Support communication, participation, and integration into peer group activities.

• Provide additional care and documentation for participants with restricted health conditions or specialized support needs, when trained and assigned.

• Complete additional documentation related to Needs and Service Plans, health support needs, and assigned participant goals as required.

• Assigned Tutor or Tutor Plus duties may be eligible for applicable pay differentials in accordance with HCAR policy.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not provide direct supervision of employees. The Life Skills Coach may provide direction, support, and guidance to participants during skills training, community activities, vocational activities, and assigned service situations.

Benefits

Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, health insurance eligibility, and other benefits are provided in accordance with HCAR personnel policies, benefit plan documents, and applicable eligibility requirements.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Minimum of six months of related experience working with individuals with developmental, intellectual, behavioral, or other disabilities preferred. Related college coursework in social welfare, special education, psychology, rehabilitation, or a comparable field may be considered as a partial substitute for paid work experience.

• Behavior management or positive behavioral support experience preferred.

• Ability to read and understand service plans, behavior support plans, safety rules, operating instructions, documentation requirements, and organizational procedures.

• Ability to write routine notes, reports, correspondence, tracking records, and other required documentation accurately and timely.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with participants, staff, families, caregivers, supervisors, and community members.

• Ability to use basic math for time, rate, percentage, tracking, reporting, and service documentation needs.

• Ability to apply practical judgment, follow written and verbal instructions, respond to routine problems, and seek supervisory guidance when needed.

• Ability to provide a positive, respectful, and supportive environment that promotes learning, skill maintenance, dignity, and independence.

• Ability to adapt to changing participant needs, schedules, environments, and program priorities.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive participant, medical, behavioral, and service information appropriately.

• Valid California driver license, reliable transportation, proof of automobile insurance, and acceptable driving record required when driving is part of assigned duties.

• Current CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within required timeline.

• Ability to successfully complete required background clearance, fingerprinting, TB clearance, physical examination, and other employment related screenings.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. The employee regularly stands, walks, talks, hears, uses hands and fingers, reaches, and assists participants in program and community settings. The employee may frequently sit, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, lift, transfer, or provide mobility support to adult participants. The employee must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds as required by assigned duties and participant support needs. Specific vision abilities may include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

HCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in accordance with applicable law.

Employee Acknowledgment

This job description is intended to summarize the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to list every task, duty, responsibility, or condition of employment. HCAR may revise duties, responsibilities, schedules, work locations, or reporting relationships as organizational needs change. Employment remains at will unless otherwise required by law or a written agreement signed by an authorized representative of HCAR.