Residential Instructor Jobs
Residential Instructor jobs are open across group homes, therapeutic boarding schools, juvenile justice facilities, and higher education, with specializations in behavioral support, independent living skills, and academic tutoring, at every level from entry-level aide to lead and program supervisor. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Residential Instructor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 64+ Residential Instructor jobs
Starting Rate: $19.00/hour
Schedule: Saturday and Sunday 9a-3p, Monday 3-11p
There is a $500 Sign-On Bonus for external candidates who receive an offer for this role by December 1st, 2026!
Looking for work where you can make a difference every day?
As a residential skills instructor at Advocates, you’ll work directly with adults with developmental disabilities, helping them build skills, make choices, and live as independently as possible in their homes and communities.
This is a hands-on role where you’ll teach daily living skills, encourage independence, support personal goals, and help individuals be active members of their communities. You’ll get to know the people you support, understand what matters most to them, and help turn their goals into everyday successes.
You’ll also work as part of a supportive team to implement individualized service and behavioral plans, track progress, and provide the consistency and encouragement individuals need to thrive.
If you’re patient, compassionate, dependable, and enjoy helping others grow, this could be the opportunity for you.
Who We Are
At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges.
We're a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives.
Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated.
At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of every employee and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where people can learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact.
- Implement individual service plans, behavioral plans, and treatment plans
- Track and document progress, data, and daily interactions
- Support individuals with daily routines, skill-building, and personal goals
- Promote self-advocacy, decision-making, and independence
- Facilitate community integration and meaningful activities
- Assist with home maintenance and maintaining a clean, welcoming environment
- Provide transportation to appointments and community activities
- Monitor and safeguard individuals’ funds as assigned
- Communicate and document any significant health, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns
- Complete clinical notes and reports in a timely manner
- Participate in team meetings, supervision, and required trainings
- Maintain required certifications (CPR, First Aid, MAP, Safety Care, etc.)
- Provide physical intervention in crisis situations when necessary
- High school diploma or GED required; at least 3 years of experience in human services preferred
- Experience implementing behavioral plans and collecting data required
- Familiarity with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) preferred
- Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and willingness to transport individuals
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Commitment to providing respectful, person-centered care
- Experience working with diverse populations strongly preferred
- Basic computer proficiency required
Physical Demands:
- Full upper extremity range of motion
- Full lower extremity range of motion
- Must be able to lift furniture and/or objects/persons weighing over 50 lbs.
Physical Activity:
- Continuous: Communication
- Frequent: Standing, sitting, walking
- Occasional: Reaching with hands and arms, stooping and crouching
Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.
We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview or hiring process, please contact Human Resources.
Starting Rate: $19.00/hour
Schedule: Saturday and Sunday 9a-3p, Monday 3-11p
There is a $500 Sign-On Bonus for external candidates who receive an offer for this role by December 1st, 2026!
Looking for work where you can make a difference every day?
As a residential skills instructor at Advocates, you’ll work directly with adults with developmental disabilities, helping them build skills, make choices, and live as independently as possible in their homes and communities.
This is a hands-on role where you’ll teach daily living skills, encourage independence, support personal goals, and help individuals be active members of their communities. You’ll get to know the people you support, understand what matters most to them, and help turn their goals into everyday successes.
You’ll also work as part of a supportive team to implement individualized service and behavioral plans, track progress, and provide the consistency and encouragement individuals need to thrive.
If you’re patient, compassionate, dependable, and enjoy helping others grow, this could be the opportunity for you.
Who We Are
At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges.
We're a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives.
Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated.
At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of every employee and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where people can learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact.
- Implement individual service plans, behavioral plans, and treatment plans
- Track and document progress, data, and daily interactions
- Support individuals with daily routines, skill-building, and personal goals
- Promote self-advocacy, decision-making, and independence
- Facilitate community integration and meaningful activities
- Assist with home maintenance and maintaining a clean, welcoming environment
- Provide transportation to appointments and community activities
- Monitor and safeguard individuals’ funds as assigned
- Communicate and document any significant health, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns
- Complete clinical notes and reports in a timely manner
- Participate in team meetings, supervision, and required trainings
- Maintain required certifications (CPR, First Aid, MAP, Safety Care, etc.)
- Provide physical intervention in crisis situations when necessary
- High school diploma or GED required; at least 3 years of experience in human services preferred
- Experience implementing behavioral plans and collecting data required
- Familiarity with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) preferred
- Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and willingness to transport individuals
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Commitment to providing respectful, person-centered care
- Experience working with diverse populations strongly preferred
- Basic computer proficiency required
Physical Demands:
- Full upper extremity range of motion
- Full lower extremity range of motion
- Must be able to lift furniture and/or objects/persons weighing over 50 lbs.
Physical Activity:
- Continuous: Communication
- Frequent: Standing, sitting, walking
- Occasional: Reaching with hands and arms, stooping and crouching
Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.
We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application, interview or hiring process, please contact Human Resources.
Residential Instructor Jobs by Experience Level
See All 64 Residential Instructor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Residential Instructor JobsResidential Instructor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Rasmussen University19
- Hope Network13
- Community Residences6
- Advocates4
- In Charge Electric4
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in residential instructor jobs.
- High school diploma or GED required, associate or bachelor's degree preferred in human services or education
- Experience working with youth, adults with disabilities, or residents in a structured live-in or shift-based setting
- Current CPR and first aid certification, with willingness to maintain through employer-provided training
- Ability to pass a state criminal background check and child abuse registry clearance
- Valid driver's license and clean driving record for transporting residents to appointments or activities
- Familiarity with behavior support plans, incident reporting procedures, and daily documentation requirements
Tips for Your Residential Instructor Job Search
Tailor your resume to setting type
Group home, boarding school, and juvenile facility roles each prioritize different competencies. Highlight crisis intervention for justice settings, academic support for school environments, and daily living skills coaching for community-based programs so your resume speaks directly to the posting.
List every relevant certification upfront
CPR, first aid, medication administration, and behavior intervention certifications often appear as hard requirements in residential instructor listings. Put them in a dedicated section near the top so a hiring manager spots them immediately without reading through your full work history.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists residential 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 job title
Residential instructor roles for adults with intellectual disabilities, at-risk youth, and college students are often posted under different titles. Search terms like 'residential aide,' 'direct support professional,' and 'residence life coordinator' will surface openings that match your background but use alternate labels.
Prepare scenario answers about de-escalation
Interviewers at residential programs almost always ask how you've handled a resident in crisis or a conflict between residents. Write out two or three specific situations from your experience using the situation, action, and result structure before your interview so your answers are concrete and unhesitating.
Negotiate schedule before you negotiate pay
Residential instructor roles often involve rotating shifts, overnight hours, or mandatory weekend coverage. Confirm the exact shift structure and on-call expectations during the offer conversation, since those details affect your total commitment and can be adjusted more easily than base compensation at smaller organizations.
Residential Instructor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most residential instructors?
The companies hiring the most residential instructors right now include Rasmussen University, Hope Network, and Community Residences, with the largest share of openings in Michigan, Texas, and Illinois, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Nonprofit human services organizations and state-contracted residential programs account for the bulk of active postings.
How many residential instructor jobs are remote?
About 0% of residential instructor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most roles require on-site presence with residents around the clock. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are curriculum development, training coordination, and administrative case management roles attached to residential programs.
How do you become a residential instructor?
Start by earning at least a high school diploma, then complete CPR and first aid certification, which most employers require before your first shift. Apply for entry-level direct support or residential aide roles to build hands-on experience with the population you want to serve. From there, pursue an associate or bachelor's degree in human services, education, or a related field to qualify for lead and program-level residential instructor positions.
Can you get hired as a residential instructor with little experience?
Yes, many residential programs hire candidates with no formal experience if you can demonstrate reliability, emotional maturity, and a genuine commitment to the population they serve. Volunteer work at shelters, group homes, or after-school programs strengthens your application significantly. Some employers also offer paid training periods or apprenticeship tracks specifically designed to bring entry-level candidates up to full residential instructor responsibilities.
What does the residential instructor interview process look like?
Most residential instructor interviews begin with a phone screen focused on your availability, shift flexibility, and comfort with the specific resident population. An in-person or video interview follows, usually with a program supervisor, and centers on scenario-based questions about de-escalation, boundary-setting, and crisis response. Some employers conclude with a paid working interview or facility tour before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to residential instructor jobs?
You can find and apply to residential instructor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, setting preference, and schedule, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 64 Residential Instructor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Residential Instructor Jobs