Independent Living Skills Instructor (Part-time)

Job Type: Part-time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Location: San Diego

Salary: $19.00 to $23.00 per hour

Work Environment: Community-based with frequent travel to student apartments, community locations, and CLE sites

Are You Looking for a Role Where You Teach Daily Living Skills and Support Students Toward Greater Independence?

Description

College Living Experience (CLE) is a comprehensive post-secondary transition program supporting young adults diagnosed with autism, AD/HD, and learning differences. Students receive individualized support across academics, career development, social skills, and independent living while learning to manage adult responsibilities in real-world environments.

The Independent Living Skills (ILS) Instructor is responsible for supporting students’ development of essential daily living skills. This role focuses on assessing student functioning levels and providing direct instruction across all independent living domains, including health, safety, hygiene, food management, money management, housekeeping, housing, transportation, community integration, legal rights, interpersonal skills, and job-related life skills.

This position includes both individual and small-group instruction and requires consistent documentation, collaboration, and hands-on coaching. Ideally availability would be

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with young adults and teaching practical skills that support independence. One day, you may be coaching a student on household organization or meal planning. Another day, you may be leading a cooking group, supporting medication organization, or helping a student practice community safety skill. Over time, your instruction helps students gain confidence, self-reliance, and independence in daily life. Your work directly impacts students’ ability to live more independently and safely.

Why People Love Working at CLE

Working at CLE means being part of a collaborative, mission-driven team focused on meaningful student outcomes.

• You see real progress. Students gain independence through consistent instruction and practice.
• Your work is hands-on. Instructions happen where skills are actually used — homes and communities.
• You’re supported by a team. Staff collaborate regularly to problem-solve and refine support.
• Every day is different. Instruction spans many areas of daily living and community participation.

What You’ll Do

Independent Living Skills Instruction

• Assist the ILS Coordinator or supervisor in completing CLE Independent Living Skills Inventories to assess student functioning across domains
• Provide consistent, individualized instruction tailored to student needs and learning styles
• Teach students individually and in small groups how to clean and maintain all aspects of their living spaces, including kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and common areas
• Lead small-group cooking classes, teaching a range of simple to complex recipes and modeling safe kitchen tool use
• Assist students with weekly meal planning and grocery list development
• Model appropriate hygiene and support instruction related to personal appearance and self-care
• Instruct small groups on health, hygiene, fitness, transportation, safety, and community awareness

Medication Support

• Visually verify that student medication is organized in weekly medication planners
• Verbally verify with students that medication routines are being followed
• Assist with medication refill coordination when appropriate, in collaboration with the ILS Coordinator or Director of Psychological Services

Learning Environment & Student Support

• Manage the learning environment by reducing distractions that interfere with student focus
• Adapt instruction as needed to support student engagement and understanding
• Address student needs proactively and collaborate with team members to problem-solve concerns

Documentation & Team Collaboration

• Complete documentation of instructional sessions and student progress in CLE systems within required timeframes
• Report questions or concerns to the ILS Coordinator or supervisor promptly
• Actively participate in weekly or bi-weekly staff meetings, training, and curriculum development
• Participate in additional projects or initiatives as assigned

Who Thrives in This Role

• This role is a strong fit for individuals who enjoy teaching practical skills, working in community-based settings, and supporting students through hands-on learning.
• Successful ILS Instructors are patient, organized, observant, and able to balance structure with flexibility while promoting independence.

What Makes This Role Unique

• You teach skills that directly impact daily independence
• You work with students in real-world living environments
• You provide both individualized and group instruction
• You collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary support team

Benefits Include:

CLE offers a supportive work environment and benefits for eligible employees, which may include:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account (HSA)
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Transportation Requirements

This role includes travel between work sites and transporting students as needed.

Applicants must:

• Possess a valid driver’s license

• Have at least one year of licensed driving experience

• Meet company motor vehicle insurance requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, social work, counseling, or a related field

• Two years of experience working with neurodiverse individuals or young adults preferred

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to build supportive relationships while encouraging student independence

• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment