NEUROAFFIRMING PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Summary

Benefits:

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

Employee discounts

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Training & development

Wellness resources

401(k)

About the Role

At LEAPS Services, our Specialists build relationships, create meaningful learning opportunities, support independence, collaborate with families, and take an active role in helping each self-advocate move toward individualized goals.This position combines direct service, caseload management, program implementation, community-based learning, family collaboration, progress monitoring, and professional documentation.This is an active role with significant responsibility. It requires creativity, organization, flexibility, initiative, strong communication, and the ability to think beyond the activity happening in front of you.For the right professional, it is also an opportunity to see the direct impact of thoughtful, individualized support.

Key Responsibilities

Individualized Support-Provide individualized, person-centered, and neuroaffirming support across LEAPS programming, at the LEAPS Community Hub, and throughout community-based environments.

Use real-life experiences to intentionally develop skills related to:

Independence and daily living

Communication

Self-advocacy

Social development

Emotional regulation

Executive functioning

Community access

Functional academics

Vocational readiness

Decision-making

Problem-solving

Personal responsibility

Other individualized goals

Specialists are expected to actively teach, model, facilitate, coach, and create opportunities for independence rather than simply supervise or accompany self-advocates.

Caseload

Maintain an assigned caseload of approximately 5–7 self-advocates.

Caseload includes:

Reviewing individualized goals

Monitoring progress

Reviewing session documentation

Identifying patterns or changes

Recognizing when progress has stalled

Identifying emerging skills and opportunities

Preparing meaningful activities connected to goals

Communicating concerns early

Collaborating on modifications to programming

Following through on recommendations and action items

Who Will Thrive in This Position?

This position may be a strong fit for someone who:

Enjoys working directly with neurodivergent youth and adults

Wants meaningful responsibility rather than a passive support role

Can balance relationship-building with professional accountability

Is comfortable working both independently and collaboratively

Enjoys being active and working in community environments

Can organize and manage multiple responsibilities

Is creative and able to turn everyday experiences into learning opportunities

Understands that progress is not always linear

Can adapt when a plan isn't working

Communicates professionally with families and team members

Takes documentation seriously

Is willing to receive feedback and continue developing professionally

Can take initiative without needing constant direction

Values autonomy, dignity, inclusion, and self-advocacy

Education & Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.

Preferred undergraduate fields include, but are not limited to:

Psychology

Child Development

Human Development

Sociology

Social Work

Education

Special Education

Behavioral Science

Applied Behavior Analysis

Communication Sciences

Rehabilitation Services

Family Studies

Counseling or related human-services fields

Candidates with degrees in other disciplines may also be considered when they demonstrate substantial relevant professional experience working with neurodivergent individuals, individuals with developmental disabilities, or related populations.

***Preferred Education

Master's degree preferred, but not required.

Relevant graduate degrees may include:

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Master's in Psychology

Master's in Counseling

Master's in Special Education

Master's in Education

Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis

Master's in Human Development

Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling

Master's in Clinical Psychology

Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy or related field

Other closely related behavioral, educational, developmental, or human-services graduate programs

Graduate education is especially valued when combined with strong direct-service experience and demonstrated ability to translate professional knowledge into practical, neuroaffirming, person-centered support.

Professional Experience

Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience working with neurodivergent individuals, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, behavioral health populations, or other related support environments.

Strong candidates will demonstrate experience in several of the following areas:

Individualized direct support

Social skills development

Independent-living skill development

Community-based programming

Behavioral and emotional-regulation support

Vocational or employment readiness

Family and caregiver collaboration

Goal development and progress monitoring

Professional documentation

Case or caseload coordination

Group facilitation

Neuroaffirming practices

Supporting individuals with complex behavioral or communication needs

This is not considered an entry-level position. Candidates should be prepared to independently organize responsibilities, manage an assigned caseload, communicate professionally with families and team members, recognize when additional support is needed, and take ownership of appropriate follow-through.

Compensation

Salary Range: $58,000–$72,000 annually

This is a full-time salaried professional position.

Starting salary within the established range will be determined based on the candidate's combination of education, directly relevant experience, demonstrated professional competencies, caseload-management experience, specialized training, and the level of responsibility the candidate is prepared to assume upon hire.

A candidate meeting the minimum qualifications may typically enter toward the lower portion of the range, while candidates bringing advanced education, extensive directly related experience, specialized credentials, significant case-management experience, or demonstrated leadership within neurodevelopmental or behavioral services may be considered toward the higher portion of the range.

A master's degree is preferred and may be considered when determining placement within the salary range; however, education alone does not determine compensation. LEAPS will consider the candidate's complete professional background and demonstrated ability to successfully perform the responsibilities of the Neuroaffirming Program Specialist position.

Professional Expectations

Neuroaffirming Program Specialists are expected to demonstrate reliability, professionalism, initiative, organization, strong communication, appropriate professional boundaries, and consistent follow-through.

This is not an entry-level support position.

The Specialist is trusted with meaningful responsibility for the quality and continuity of services provided to their assigned caseload.

We expect Specialists to remain curious, prepared, engaged, accountable, collaborative, and willing to grow.

Job Description

Benefits:

401(k) matching

Competitive salary

Employee discounts

Opportunity for advancement

Paid time off

Training & development

Wellness resources

401(k)

About the Role

At LEAPS Services, our Specialists build relationships, create meaningful learning opportunities, support independence, collaborate with families, and take an active role in helping each self-advocate move toward individualized goals.This position combines direct service, caseload management, program implementation, community-based learning, family collaboration, progress monitoring, and professional documentation.This is an active role with significant responsibility. It requires creativity, organization, flexibility, initiative, strong communication, and the ability to think beyond the activity happening in front of you.For the right professional, it is also an opportunity to see the direct impact of thoughtful, individualized support.

Key Responsibilities

Individualized Support-Provide individualized, person-centered, and neuroaffirming support across LEAPS programming, at the LEAPS Community Hub, and throughout community-based environments.

Use real-life experiences to intentionally develop skills related to:

Independence and daily living

Communication

Self-advocacy

Social development

Emotional regulation

Executive functioning

Community access

Functional academics

Vocational readiness

Decision-making

Problem-solving

Personal responsibility

Other individualized goals

Specialists are expected to actively teach, model, facilitate, coach, and create opportunities for independence rather than simply supervise or accompany self-advocates.

Caseload

Maintain an assigned caseload of approximately 5–7 self-advocates.

Caseload includes:

Reviewing individualized goals

Monitoring progress

Reviewing session documentation

Identifying patterns or changes

Recognizing when progress has stalled

Identifying emerging skills and opportunities

Preparing meaningful activities connected to goals

Communicating concerns early

Collaborating on modifications to programming

Following through on recommendations and action items

Who Will Thrive in This Position?

This position may be a strong fit for someone who:

Enjoys working directly with neurodivergent youth and adults

Wants meaningful responsibility rather than a passive support role

Can balance relationship-building with professional accountability

Is comfortable working both independently and collaboratively

Enjoys being active and working in community environments

Can organize and manage multiple responsibilities

Is creative and able to turn everyday experiences into learning opportunities

Understands that progress is not always linear

Can adapt when a plan isn't working

Communicates professionally with families and team members

Takes documentation seriously

Is willing to receive feedback and continue developing professionally

Can take initiative without needing constant direction

Values autonomy, dignity, inclusion, and self-advocacy

Education & Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.

Preferred undergraduate fields include, but are not limited to:

Psychology

Child Development

Human Development

Sociology

Social Work

Education

Special Education

Behavioral Science

Applied Behavior Analysis

Communication Sciences

Rehabilitation Services

Family Studies

Counseling or related human-services fields

Candidates with degrees in other disciplines may also be considered when they demonstrate substantial relevant professional experience working with neurodivergent individuals, individuals with developmental disabilities, or related populations.

***Preferred Education

Master's degree preferred, but not required.

Relevant graduate degrees may include:

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Master's in Psychology

Master's in Counseling

Master's in Special Education

Master's in Education

Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis

Master's in Human Development

Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling

Master's in Clinical Psychology

Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy or related field

Other closely related behavioral, educational, developmental, or human-services graduate programs

Graduate education is especially valued when combined with strong direct-service experience and demonstrated ability to translate professional knowledge into practical, neuroaffirming, person-centered support.

Professional Experience

Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience working with neurodivergent individuals, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, behavioral health populations, or other related support environments.

Strong candidates will demonstrate experience in several of the following areas:

Individualized direct support

Social skills development

Independent-living skill development

Community-based programming

Behavioral and emotional-regulation support

Vocational or employment readiness

Family and caregiver collaboration

Goal development and progress monitoring

Professional documentation

Case or caseload coordination

Group facilitation

Neuroaffirming practices

Supporting individuals with complex behavioral or communication needs

This is not considered an entry-level position. Candidates should be prepared to independently organize responsibilities, manage an assigned caseload, communicate professionally with families and team members, recognize when additional support is needed, and take ownership of appropriate follow-through.

Compensation

Salary Range: $58,000–$72,000 annually

This is a full-time salaried professional position.

Starting salary within the established range will be determined based on the candidate's combination of education, directly relevant experience, demonstrated professional competencies, caseload-management experience, specialized training, and the level of responsibility the candidate is prepared to assume upon hire.

A candidate meeting the minimum qualifications may typically enter toward the lower portion of the range, while candidates bringing advanced education, extensive directly related experience, specialized credentials, significant case-management experience, or demonstrated leadership within neurodevelopmental or behavioral services may be considered toward the higher portion of the range.

A master's degree is preferred and may be considered when determining placement within the salary range; however, education alone does not determine compensation. LEAPS will consider the candidate's complete professional background and demonstrated ability to successfully perform the responsibilities of the Neuroaffirming Program Specialist position.

Professional Expectations

Neuroaffirming Program Specialists are expected to demonstrate reliability, professionalism, initiative, organization, strong communication, appropriate professional boundaries, and consistent follow-through.

This is not an entry-level support position.

The Specialist is trusted with meaningful responsibility for the quality and continuity of services provided to their assigned caseload.

We expect Specialists to remain curious, prepared, engaged, accountable, collaborative, and willing to grow.