Direct Support Professional-Adult Day Program Instructor
AbilityPathPalo Alto, California, United States · Posted 7 months agoDescription
Hiring Community & Site Program Instructor
Join a Mission Driven Team!
Do you want work that actually matters? As a Community & Site Program Instructor at AbilityPath, you'll help adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities build the skills, confidence, and community connections to lead fulfilling, independent lives. You'll lead group activities on-site and out in the community — and go home knowing you made a difference.
Pay: $24–$25/hour (based on education and experience)
Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday | 6- or 8-hour shifts available between 8:30am–5:00pm Location: Palo Alto, CA
Why You'll Love Working Here
- 🌴 4 weeks of PTO — plus 10 paid holidays
- 🏥 Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
- 💰 401(k) with employer match
- 🎓 Educational reimbursement to support your professional growth
- 🚗 Mileage reimbursement
- 🏆 Performance bonuses
We invest in our people because when our team thrives, the people we serve thrive too.
Who We Are
AbilityPath is a nonprofit providing a full lifespan of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our mission: accept, respect, and include people of all abilities. We're committed to building a genuinely inclusive community, grounded in ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work.
What You'll Do
This role is hands-on and varied — no two days look the same. You'll:
- Coach life skills. Provide one-on-one and group coaching on the skills people need to live independently, tailored to each person's needs and learning style.
- Lead community volunteering. Coordinate with local organizations to create meaningful volunteer opportunities that build purpose and connection.
- Get out into the community. Plan and lead group outings to parks, museums, and local events — including safe transportation — while supporting clients as they navigate public spaces and build social confidence.
- Design learning sessions. Develop and lead sessions on topics like current events, basic academics, technology, and social skills, adapted to different learning styles.
- Support health and wellness. Promote healthy habits through exercise, nutrition guidance, and wellness activities.
- Organize recreation and social activities. Sports, games, movie nights, holiday celebrations — activities that build teamwork and personal growth.
- Build job readiness. Lead pre-vocational training, help clients explore career interests, and teach workplace skills and etiquette.
- Foster creative expression. Lead accessible art, music, and creative activities, and support participation in community showcases when appropriate.
- Contribute to person-centered planning. Work with clients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to set goals, track progress, and adjust support plans.
- Track and celebrate progress. Document milestones and goal progress in our case management system.
What We're Looking For
We encourage you to apply even if you don't check every box below.
- 1+ years of work or volunteer experience supporting adults with disabilities
- Associate degree, or working toward one
We strongly encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized candidates to apply. AbilityPath is committed to building and retaining a diverse team.
Requirements to Get Started:
- Valid California driver's license (held 3+ years if under age 25) with a clean driving record
- Negative TB test results
- Occupational physical clearance
- Clear criminal fingerprint background check
- 18 years of age, or valid work permit
Physical requirements: Ability to sit, stand, and bend frequently; drive a vehicle to transport adults with disabilities; and lift up to 25 lbs. as needed.
We encourage applicants to share any access needs during the interview process, at hire, and throughout employment — we're committed to making our organization accessible for our whole team.
Equal Employment Opportunity
AbilityPath is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. We prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry (including language-use restrictions and possession of a driver's license), citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristics or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, legally protected medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or disrespectful conduct based on any protected characteristic, whether actual or perceived
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
Learning Links is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available persons in every job. Our policy prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry (including language-use restrictions and possession of a driver’s license), citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristics, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, legally protected medical condition, military or veteran status, or other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. AbilityPath will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination against, harassment of, or disrespectful or unprofessional conduct toward an employee based upon any of the protected characteristics listed above or based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful. #LPAP
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