Demo

Autism Day Program Lead (Full-Time)

ChildServe
ChildServe Salary
Des Moines, IA Full Time
POSTED ON 3/28/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/26/2026
Join ChildServe as an Autism Day Program Lead, where you will contribute to the lives of children ages 2-6 by supporting their health, skill development and retention in our Autism Day Program. You will provide care to children with varying functioning levels across the autism spectrum. Through direct collaboration with occupational, speech, and physical therapists, and a play-based environment, you will assist with developmental goals as designated by each child’s individualized care plan.

Schedule

40 hours per week, Monday - Friday between the hours of 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM.

How You’ll Make an Impact

  • Support children in achieving greater independence and school readiness through individualized care, learning, and play in a 1:3 ratio.
  • Collaborate with behavioral health professionals, therapists, and other team members to follow care plans and meet therapy goals within scope of practice.
  • Oversee and maintain a safe, consistent, and engaging environment, ensuring daily needs are met, such as feeding, diapering, and toilet training.
  • Promote communication and social-emotional development using tools like PECS, communication devices, and guided behavioral support.
  • Plan and prep age appropriate learning activities.
  • Accurately document care, follow change-of-shift procedures, and communicate professionally with families, staff, and community partners.

What You’ll Need:

  • Bachelor’s degree in human services or education preferred; experience working with children with special healthcare needs and autism preferred.
  • Must complete and pass the National DCI fingerprint process, child/adult abuse and criminal background checks, and child abuse affidavit prior to hire and every two years thereafter.
  • Must be able to pass a physical examination at commencement of employment and as regulations require; lift up to 35 lbs, be mobile within clinic areas, and frequently bend, lift, reach, and stand.
  • Maintain a calm demeanor in an environment that can change quickly with elevated behaviors and different demands, and communicate effectively in reading, writing, and speaking the English language.

Not sure if you hit 100% of the position expectations? Let's talk! Reach out to our Talent Acquisition team by emailing careers@childserve.org.

Compensation And Benefits

The starting wage for this role is $17.10/hour.

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • 403(b) retirement plan with company match
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)

Make a Difference Every Day at ChildServe

  • ChildServe partners with families to help children with special healthcare needs live a great life.
  • ChildServe is a leading pediatric healthcare provider with Iowa’s only children's specialty hospital, offering a variety of services and programs to meet each child’s unique needs.
  • ChildServe’s four key specialty areas include: complex medical care, pediatric rehabilitation, autism and behavioral health, and community-based services. With a coordinated approach to care delivery, services are interwoven and streamlined, so families can address their child’s needs in one location.
  • Established in 1928, ChildServe proudly provides more than 30 pediatric specialty services to nearly 6,000 children in Iowa each year.

ChildServe is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. To request assistance with the application process, please email careers@childserve.org. ChildServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary : $17

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Autism Day Program Lead (Full-Time)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Autism Day Program Lead (Full-Time) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$88,764 - $116,465
Income Estimation: 
$90,211 - $164,353
Income Estimation: 
$110,276 - $164,105
Income Estimation: 
$95,007 - $124,623
Income Estimation: 
$89,191 - $127,928
Income Estimation: 
$91,446 - $123,642
Income Estimation: 
$125,318 - $172,627
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at ChildServe

  • ChildServe Des Moines, IA
  • Join Child Serve as a Group Home Supervisor. As a Group Homes Supervisor . At ChildServe, you’ll take the lead in managing the day-to-day operations of one... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • ChildServe Des Moines, IA
  • Join ChildServe as an Autism Day Program Team Lead, responsible for the successful daily operation of one or more classrooms within the Autism Day Program.... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • ChildServe Des Moines, IA
  • ChildServe is looking for a Nurse to join our Medical Childcare team. Our program offers a specialized environment for children with medical complexities w... more
  • 10 Days Ago

  • ChildServe Johnston, IA
  • ChildServe is looking for an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) to join a dedicated medical team where you’ll make a meaningful impact every day... more
  • 10 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Autism Day Program Lead (Full-Time) jobs in the Des Moines, IA area that may be a better fit.

  • ChildServe Des Moines, IA
  • Join ChildServe as an Autism Day Program Team Lead, responsible for the successful daily operation of one or more classrooms within the Autism Day Program.... more
  • 9 Days Ago

  • ChildServe Des Moines, IA
  • Join ChildServe as an Autism Day Program Assistant, where you will contribute to the lives of children ages 2-6 by supporting their health, skill developme... more
  • 21 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!