The Career Coach develops employment pathways for students with autism and learning differences by building vocational skills and confidence. Responsibilities include teaching career-building classes, supervising internships, and acting as a liaison between students and employers.
Requirements summary
An Associate's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Education, or a related field is required, while a Bachelor's degree is strongly preferred. Candidates must have experience supporting individuals with autism or learning disabilities and possess a valid driver's license.
The Career Coach works to develop pathways toward employment and self-sufficiency for students by building their vocational abilities and confidence. The Career Coach is an onsite part-time non-exempt position who reports to the Career Coordinator. This position operates in a highly scheduled environment but may require longer hours and occasional weekend work and minimal travel as job duties demand. The Career Coach position involves a moderate physical demand.
The College Internship Program (CIP) is a full-year private young adult transition program for individuals 18-26 with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences offering comprehensive and specialized services.
CIP’s programs uniquely address the needs of adolescents and young adults with high-functioning autism, ADHD, and other learning differences by providing a comprehensive curriculum, expert staffing, and a structured weekly schedule.
We believe that a learning disability is a learning difference, and our expert staff understand and meet our young adults enrolled in the program where they are at.
Our programs focus on the generalization of specialized skills specifically for autism and learning differences.
CIP students live with a close-knit community of peers within a supported apartment living setting and fully access the community around them.
Each student’s unique needs are met individually as they prepare for success in independent living, college, and employment.
CIP is the result of strategies we have developed over 40 years working with hundreds of young people who learn differently and have exceptionalities, helping develop the self-knowledge and skills to live happy and productive lives.
All the Responsibilities We’ll Trust You With
Assist students in assessing an inventory of related employment skills and interests
Develop student pre-employment skills and resources within the career portfolio
Support student on-the-job experiences
Assist the student in developing relationships with their employer
Teach vocational/career-building and pre-vocational classes as well as provide individual career coaching in areas such as interview preparation, job search, correspondence, etc.
Benefits
Dental Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Holidays
Vision Insurance
Medical Insurance
Professional Development Opportunities
Tuition Reimbursement
Flexible Spending Accounts
Short-term Disability
Long-term Disability
Personal Days
Wellness Reimbursement
Vacation Time
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Health Advocate
Paid Sick Days
Spousal Life Insurance
Additional Life Insurance
Child Life Insurance
401(K) Employer Match
Financial Wellness Advisor Services
Serve as a liaison between employer & student, working to identify areas requiring additional training on techniques and methods for maintaining solid work habits
Track student engagement (e.g., hours) in community service involvement as well as vocational activities
Supervise students at internship sites or coordinate site supervision, as needed
Monitor students’ performance at work sites to ensure compliance and safety
Support students in recognizing the need for different types of accommodations, techniques, and methods of instructions
Report student career progress to the Career Coordinator
*Other Duties as Assigned
Qualities You Possess
• The Career Coach will possess exceptional communication skills, precise attention to detail, superior organization and prioritization skills and self-motivation in managing tasks to completion. They will have genuine empathy and awareness of the needs and sensitivities of prospective families, students, and staff.
Your Areas of Knowledge and Expertise
Associate’s degree (or in pursuit of) from an accredited institution in Psychology, Social Work, Education, or a related field is required. Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred.
Proficient with office utility computer software programs and a quick learner in new technologies.
Education, training, or career experience in approaches, methods, and supports for persons with autism spectrum disorder and/or learning differences, specifically in the vocational or employment area.
Experience in the field of autism and/or learning disabilities.
Special education and/or career services or placement background.
An Active Driver’s license is required.
Why Join CIP?
Vacation Time - 15 days full time only
Paid Holidays - 13 days full time only;Holiday premium pay for part time only
Paid Sick Days and Personal Days accrued
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Voluntary Benefits: Short and Long-term Disability, Additional Life, Child Life and Spousal Life
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Flexible Spending Accounts
401(K) - We offer a Traditional 401(K) and a Roth 401(K) employer match up to 4%
Financial Wellness Advisor Services
Tuition and continued education reimbursement up to $3,000 annually for full time and up to $1,000 for part time
Wellness reimbursement of $200 per year for full time and $100 per year for part time
Employee Assistance Program: child care and parenting, senior care and aging, emotional health, health and wellness, legal and financial, access to discounts
A health advocate to assist with our insurance & healthcare challenges
Ongoing monthly training and professional development opportunities
Supportive and Collaborative Culture
*Please note that the benefits listed may change based on business needs, regulatory requirements or other factors
This role may also be of interest to candidates searching for positions or skills related to case management, student success, behavioral health, mental health counseling, disability services, special education, autism support, vocational counseling, higher education, social work, peer mentor, human services, therapy, school counseling, internship support, college readiness, residential life, crisis response, student engagement, transition services, behavior technician, substitute teacher, college advising, working with people with autism, wraparound services, camp counselor, marriage and family therapy, executive functioning, peer coach, emotional regulation, resource specialist, neurodiversity support, crisis intervention, working with people with developmental disabilities, student involvement, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma informed care, campus life, paraprofessionals, clinical therapist, psychologist, coping skills, alternative education, youth services, private practice, individual/group counseling, inclusion workforce development, student affairs, student assistant, school experience, instructional assistant, IEP, social-emotional learning, autism advocacy, working with high schoolers, holistic wellness, career services, student life, academic planning, peer support, crisis prevention intervention, student services, working with people with disabilities, first year experience, college success, postsecondary support, inclusive teaching, mental health advocacy, college transition, academic advising, adaptive learning, paraeducators, psychology, individualized support, mindfulness, learning disabilities, accessibility services, disability studies, cognitive science, sociology, social and behavioral sciences, and education.
Accommodations Disabilities Act Statement
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job position.
Affirmative Action Plan (AAP)/Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
College Internship Program (CIP) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. Team members may be assigned additional responsibilities as necessary.
Market context
California student support roles stay competitive
In California, Student Support Specialist roles are often tied to schools, programs, and community services that need consistent support for students with autism or learning disabilities. These openings can be competitive because employers commonly look for an associate’s degree at minimum, prefer a bachelor’s degree, and require relevant experience plus a valid driver’s license. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then match your background to the support populations and credentials listed before applying.
