Life Skills Instructor Jobs
Life Skills Instructor jobs are open across nonprofits, school districts, rehabilitation centers, and community organizations, at every level from entry-level aide to senior program coordinator, with specializations in independent living, social-emotional learning, and vocational readiness. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 305+ Life Skills Instructor jobs
Reports to: Campus Principal and Assigned Teacher(s)
Wage/Hour Status: Nonexempt
Dept./School: Assigned Campus
Pay Family: Clerical/Paraprofessional
PC Assignment: Aide, SPED FLS
Pay Grade: 03
PC Assignment Code: 71017
Minimum Hourly Rate: $17.60
Insight: Support
Duty Days: 187 days per school year
Primary Purpose:
Provide instructional, behavioral, and personal care support to students with disabilities to promote access to learning and student well-being in educational settings. Assist teachers in implementing instructional activities, behavior supports, and individualized student needs in accordance with documented plans and campus procedures. Support a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment by assisting with classroom operations, student supervision, and daily routines under the direction of certified instructional staff.
Qualifications:
Education
(Must meet one of the following requirements)
- High school graduate or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, and the ability to pass a locally approved paraprofessional academic assessment; or
- Completion of 48 semester hours of college credit; or
- Associate degree or higher
Certification
- Current Texas Educational Aide certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification, or ability to obtain upon hire
Experience
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Experience working with children
Knowledge and Skills
- Ability to work well with children with disabilities
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
- Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential and sensitive student information
- Proficient organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
Key Responsibilities:
Instructional & Classroom Support
- Assist teachers in preparing instructional materials, learning resources, and classroom displays.
- Maintain a neat, orderly, and safe classroom environment.
- Assist with inventory, care, and routine maintenance of instructional equipment and materials.
- Support teachers with administrative recordkeeping and preparation of required documentation and reports.
- Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
Student Support & Care
- Assist students with physical disabilities according to individual needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, positioning, and mobility support.
- Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, toileting, and personal hygiene.
- Work with individual students or small groups to support development of motor skills and complete instructional exercises assigned by the teacher.
- Learn and adapt to each student’s medical, physical, communicative, behavioral, and emotional needs in accordance with documented plans and staff guidance.
Student Supervision & Behavior Support
- Assist with supervision of students throughout the school day, including in classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms, playgrounds, and during bus duty.
- Support behavior management by assisting with implementation of classroom and campus behavior expectations.
- Intervene in crisis situations and assist with managing disruptive or unsafe student behavior, including the use of approved physical intervention techniques when required and trained.
- Communicate observations regarding student needs, concerns, or progress to the teacher in a timely manner.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Adhere to all district policies, procedures, and expectations as outlined in the employee handbook and administrative regulations.
- Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
- Participate in professional development, faculty/department meetings, and special events as assigned.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of the district and campus.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- None
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools and Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students, including wheelchair lift and ramp
Posture: Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Frequent walking and reaching
Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities, controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting nonambulatory students, and lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment
Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases); may require occasional district-wide travel
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
Reports to: Campus Principal and Assigned Teacher(s)
Wage/Hour Status: Nonexempt
Dept./School: Assigned Campus
Pay Family: Clerical/Paraprofessional
PC Assignment: Aide, SPED FLS
Pay Grade: 03
PC Assignment Code: 71017
Minimum Hourly Rate: $17.60
Insight: Support
Duty Days: 187 days per school year
Primary Purpose:
Provide instructional, behavioral, and personal care support to students with disabilities to promote access to learning and student well-being in educational settings. Assist teachers in implementing instructional activities, behavior supports, and individualized student needs in accordance with documented plans and campus procedures. Support a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment by assisting with classroom operations, student supervision, and daily routines under the direction of certified instructional staff.
Qualifications:
Education
(Must meet one of the following requirements)
- High school graduate or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, and the ability to pass a locally approved paraprofessional academic assessment; or
- Completion of 48 semester hours of college credit; or
- Associate degree or higher
Certification
- Current Texas Educational Aide certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification, or ability to obtain upon hire
Experience
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Experience working with children
Knowledge and Skills
- Ability to work well with children with disabilities
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
- Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential and sensitive student information
- Proficient organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
Key Responsibilities:
Instructional & Classroom Support
- Assist teachers in preparing instructional materials, learning resources, and classroom displays.
- Maintain a neat, orderly, and safe classroom environment.
- Assist with inventory, care, and routine maintenance of instructional equipment and materials.
- Support teachers with administrative recordkeeping and preparation of required documentation and reports.
- Provide orientation and assistance to substitute teachers.
Student Support & Care
- Assist students with physical disabilities according to individual needs, including transferring to and from wheelchairs, lifting, positioning, and mobility support.
- Assist students with physical needs and personal care, including feeding, toileting, and personal hygiene.
- Work with individual students or small groups to support development of motor skills and complete instructional exercises assigned by the teacher.
- Learn and adapt to each student’s medical, physical, communicative, behavioral, and emotional needs in accordance with documented plans and staff guidance.
Student Supervision & Behavior Support
- Assist with supervision of students throughout the school day, including in classrooms, hallways, lunchrooms, playgrounds, and during bus duty.
- Support behavior management by assisting with implementation of classroom and campus behavior expectations.
- Intervene in crisis situations and assist with managing disruptive or unsafe student behavior, including the use of approved physical intervention techniques when required and trained.
- Communicate observations regarding student needs, concerns, or progress to the teacher in a timely manner.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Adhere to all district policies, procedures, and expectations as outlined in the employee handbook and administrative regulations.
- Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
- Participate in professional development, faculty/department meetings, and special events as assigned.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of the district and campus.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- None
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools and Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment; other specialized and adaptive equipment used by students, including wheelchair lift and ramp
Posture: Frequent standing; kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Frequent walking and reaching
Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); Occasional heavy lifting (45 pounds or over) and positioning or students with physical disabilities, controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting nonambulatory students, and lifting and moving adaptive and other classroom equipment
Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise; exposure to biological hazards (bacteria, communicable diseases); may require occasional district-wide travel
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
Life Skills Instructor Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Life Skills Instructor JobsLife Skills Instructor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Kindly Direct Care18
- Heartland ABA16
- Reach Services9
- Weber School District8
- Sevita7
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in life skills instructor jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in social work, education, psychology, or a closely related field
- Experience developing and delivering individualized life skills curriculum or lesson plans
- Knowledge of IEP, ISP, or person-centered planning processes and documentation requirements
- Current CPR, First Aid, and crisis intervention certification such as CPI or Mandt
- Ability to pass a state criminal background check and child or adult protective services clearance
- Proficiency with case management software and electronic documentation platforms
Tips for Your Life Skills Instructor Job Search
Tailor your resume to setting type
School-based roles want IEP documentation experience and state teaching credentials, while residential programs prioritize crisis intervention training and direct support hours. Customize your resume header and summary for each setting so reviewers recognize your fit in the first scan.
List certifications above your education
Employers in this field scan for CPR, First Aid, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Direct Support Professional credentials before they check your degree. Place certifications in a dedicated section near the top of your resume so hiring managers spot them immediately.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists life skills instructor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Search by population served, not just title
Job titles vary wildly across employers, so searching only 'life skills instructor' misses openings posted as 'independent living specialist' or 'transition support coach.' Search by the population you work with, such as adults with developmental disabilities or at-risk youth, to surface more relevant openings.
Prepare a sample lesson or curriculum outline
Many hiring managers for this role ask you to demonstrate how you'd teach a skill, such as budgeting or meal planning, during a working interview or presentation round. Bring a one-page session outline that shows your instructional approach, learning objectives, and how you'd adjust for different ability levels.
Negotiate schedule flexibility, not just pay
Life skills instructor roles often involve split shifts, weekend programming, or on-call coverage that can erode your work-life balance quickly. During the offer stage, ask directly which scheduling components are fixed and which are negotiable before accepting, so you avoid surprises after your first week.
Life Skills Instructor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most life skills instructors?
The companies hiring the most life skills instructors right now include Kindly Direct Care, Heartland ABA, and Reach Services, with the largest share of openings in Texas, California, and New Jersey, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Nonprofit service providers and school districts consistently represent the highest volume of active postings.
How many life skills instructor jobs are remote?
About 13% of life skills instructor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the majority of roles require in-person delivery due to the hands-on nature of the work. Curriculum development, virtual coaching for independent living skills, and telehealth-adjacent transition support roles are the sub-areas where remote arrangements are most common.
How do you become a life skills instructor?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in social work, special education, psychology, or human services, since most employers require at minimum an undergraduate credential in a related field. Gain direct experience through practicum placements, volunteer work, or entry-level direct support roles with the population you want to serve. Obtain CPR, First Aid, and a crisis intervention certification, then apply to roles that match your target setting, whether schools, residential programs, or community agencies.
Can you get hired as a life skills instructor with little experience?
Yes, entry-level life skills instructor roles do exist, particularly in community nonprofit organizations and group home settings that hire candidates with a relevant degree and a willingness to complete on-the-job training. Volunteering with disability services organizations, completing a human services internship, or working as a direct support professional for even one program cycle gives you enough documented experience to qualify for many posted openings. Focus your applications on programs that advertise training provided.
What does the life skills instructor interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone or video screen conducted by an HR coordinator or program supervisor to verify your credentials and scheduling availability. A second in-person or video interview typically involves a panel of program staff who ask scenario-based questions about how you would handle a participant in crisis or modify a lesson for different ability levels. Some employers add a practical component where you demonstrate a brief instructional activity or walk through a sample session plan before a final offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to life skills instructor jobs?
You can find and apply to life skills instructor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that fit your setting preference, population focus, and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that matches your background.
See All 305+ Life Skills Instructor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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