Young Adult Support Specialist - Independent Living & College Skills (Part-Time)

Young Adult Support Specialist - Independent Living & College Skills (Part-Time)

We are seeking a reliable, supportive, patient, and warm individual who enjoys building connections to help a young adult woman build confidence, independence, and everyday life skills while participating in college and community activities.

This is a Community Habilitation position funded through an OPWDD Self-Direction program. The employee will be hired and paid through AIM Services Inc.

The individual is developing independence, problem-solving, executive functioning, and daily living skills that support greater confidence and participation in everyday life. Support includes transportation to and from college, independent living skill-building, meal planning and community participation. Community Habilitation services are provided before and after college classes; staff do not provide support during class.

The ideal candidate enjoys building a trusting relationship with young adults and helping them develop confidence, independence, and adult life skills. The right person will be comfortable working at the individual's pace while also gently encouraging engagement, conversation, and participation in everyday activities. They provide calm, predictable support while naturally introducing ideas, activities, and opportunities for skill-building in a way that feels comfortable and encouraging rather than pushy or overwhelming.

The right person will be comfortable with quiet moments while also enjoying opportunities to connect through conversation, shared activities, errands, meal preparation, planning, and community experiences while respecting the individual's pace and comfort level. An interest in simple meal planning and helping develop enjoyable food routines is a plus.

Transportation Location & Schedule Requirements

This position requires reliable transportation and availability primarily between Nesconset and Selden. Candidates who live in or near Smithtown, Selden, Lake Grove or neighboring communities are strongly preferred due to the part-time transportation schedule.

Support is needed on the following schedule:

Monday

Transportation from the individual’s home to college in the morning. Departure time will be 8:30 AM to ensure arrival by 9:15 AM.

Pickup from college at 10:45 AM and transportation back to the individual’s home (approx. 20-30 minute drive).

Tuesday

Transportation from the individual’s home to college. Departure time will be approximately 10:00 AM to ensure arrival by 10:45 AM.

Pickup from college at 2:45 PM and transportation back to the individual’s home.

Thursday

Transportation from the individual’s home to college. Departure time will be approximately 10:00 AM to ensure arrival by 10:45 AM.

Pickup from college at 4:45 PM and transportation back to the individual’s home.

Friday

Transportation from the individual’s home to college in the morning. Departure time will be approximately 8:30 AM to ensure arrival by 9:15 AM.

Pickup from college at 1:50 PM and transportation back to the individual’s home.

College Transition & Independent Living Support (When Appropriate)

Depending on the day's schedule, support may include:

• Building rapport and creating natural opportunities for participation based on the individual's interests and comfort level
• Transition support after college
• Food or drink pickup
• Meal planning or simple snack preparation
• Developing systems for personal workspace or bedroom routines
• Executive functioning and planning skills
• Community participation and independent living skill development
• Planning for upcoming activities and daily routines

Responsibilities may include:

• Providing transportation while supporting community access and independence.
• Supporting the development of daily routines, planning systems, and preparation skills.
• Helping develop systems for planning, prioritizing, and managing daily routines.
• Supporting executive functioning skills, including task initiation, sequencing, and problem-solving.
• Supporting communication of needs, preferences, and choices.
• Supporting meal planning and simple food preparation skills.
• Helping identify strategies and adaptive tools that increase safety and independence with household tasks.
• Supporting participation in community activities that build independence and support the individual's interests.
• Supporting planning and decision-making related to future goals and personal interests when appropriate.
• Providing encouragement and gentle motivation while respecting the individual’s choices, independence, and communication style.

Qualifications:

• Reliable transportation required.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Patient, dependable, and comfortable working one-on-one with a young adult.
• Comfortable with quiet periods while also able to gently encourage connection, participation, and engagement based on the individual's communication style and comfort level.
• Enjoys everyday activities and building relationships through shared experiences such as cooking, errands, planning, community activities, and trying new things.
• Able to provide calm, predictable support while allowing time for processing and decision-making.
• Experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, executive functioning challenges, OPWDD services, education, psychology, social work, mentoring, coaching, or related fields is a plus.

Position Details:

• Part-time Community Habilitation position
• Approximately 5–8 hours per week, depending on the individual's schedule, goals, and occasional community participation or independent living skill development.
• Additional hours may be available supporting a second young adult with Community Habilitation goals related to executive functioning, daily routines, independent living skills, transportation, community participation, and personal interests.
• The opportunity for additional hours may increase as a trusting relationship develops and the individual participates in more community activities and independent living skill-building.
• $30 per hour
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Paid training provided

Employment Requirements

• Completion of required New York State and agency background screenings

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Mileage reimbursement

Work Location: In person

Salary : $30