Independent Living Skills (ILS) Coordinator / Resident Advisor

Description Young Adult Transition Program | Housing Stipend Job Type

• Full-time
• Work
• Location: In person –
• San
• Diego,
• CA
• Salary: $70,400 annually

College Living Experience

This role requires living in the same apartment community as CLE students while maintaining your own private apartment. Help Neurodiverse Young Adults Build Independence and Confidence College Living Experience (CLE) is a comprehensive transitional support program for neurodiverse young adults, including students with autism, ADHD, and learning differences. Our students attend local colleges while developing the life skills needed to live independently and pursue meaningful adult lives. Through mentorship, coaching, and real-world learning experiences, CLE staff help students strengthen academic, social, career, and independent living skills.

We are seeking a full-time ILS Coordinator / Resident Advisor to join our San Diego team and support students as they transition to independent living while attending college.

The ILS Coordinator / Resident Advisor leads the independent living skills program for the San Diego center, providing direct student coaching while supervising ILS instructors and coordinating life skills services. They also provide individualized coaching in areas such as daily living routines, organization, budgeting, and community engagement while helping maintain a safe and structured residential environment. The ideal candidate is compassionate, dependable, and committed to helping neurodiverse young adults gain confidence and thrive.

• Why People Love Working at CLE Working at CLE means being part of a collaborative team dedicated to helping students reach meaningful milestones in their lives. Staff support students across four key areas of development:
• College Support/ Academic success
• Career development
• Social Skills/ Social engagement
• Independent living skills Resident Advisors/ ILS Coordinator help students develop routines, strengthen life skills, and gain confidence navigating everyday situations. Much of the work takes place in real-world environments such as apartment communities, grocery stores, campus events, and local activities where students practice the skills needed for independent adulthood.

• What Makes This Role Unique
• Work directly with college students in real-life settings rather than a clinic or classroom
• Support students attending local colleges while building independence in their community
• Combine mentorship, life skills coaching, and community engagement
• Join a collaborative team supporting students across academic, career, social, and independent living domains
• Receive a housing stipend while living in the student apartment community

The Role The ILS Coordinator / Resident Advisor supports students as they develop independence and navigate college life. This role combines mentorship, life skills coaching, and residential oversight to ensure students have the support and structure needed to succeed. The position also includes on-call responsibilities to support student safety and well-being outside regular hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Coordination & Staff Leadership
• Supervise and mentor Independent Living Skills (ILS) instructors
• Provide training, guidance, and regular check-ins with staff
• Assist with interviewing and hiring new team members when needed
• Coordinate ILS schedules and ensure student services are delivered effectively Student Mentorship & Life Skills Coaching
• Provide individualized instruction in independent living skills such as meal planning, home organization, budgeting, and self-care routines
• Help students develop tools for time management, conflict resolution, and self-monitoring strategies
• Conduct weekly coaching sessions with assigned students
• Support students in building routines and accountability for daily responsibilities Student Support & Residential Oversight
• Conduct scheduled and as-needed student check-ins to support safety, well-being, and conflict resolution
• Assist students in managing medication routines and prescription refills when needed
• Support housing responsibilities including rental applications, communication with property management, and maintaining organized living environments
• Serve as a positive ambassador for CLE’s housing model during tours with prospective students and families Community Engagement
• Facilitate and supervise social outings and activities that encourage community participation
• Support students in navigating transportation options, encouraging public transit when possible
• Ensure students are prepared for emergencies and understand safety procedures Documentation & Program Coordination
• Maintain accurate student documentation including progress notes, financial trackers, and living skills inventories
• Serve as an advisor to designated students by maintaining communication with families and funding sources
• Attend progress meetings and contribute to student planning
• Schedule ILS supports and coordinate weekly student services Team Leadership & Collaboration
• Supervise, train, and meet regularly with Independent Living Skills (ILS) instructors
• Assist with interviewing and hiring new team members when needed
• Participate in weekly staff and Independent Living Skills team meetings
• Collaborate with staff across program areas to ensure student needs are met effectively On-Call and Schedule Expectations Resident Advisors participate in an evening and weekend on-call rotation to support students outside of regular hours. On-call responsibilities may include:
• Responding to student needs or emergencies
• Supporting healthcare or safety situations
• Coordinating emergency transportation if needed
• Providing occasional overnight support when necessary
• Ensuring students are prepared with basic emergency plans and safety procedures

Living Arrangement Resident Advisors live in the same apartment community as CLE students to support the residential student environment. Staff lease their own private apartment within the community and receive a monthly housing stipend as part of the compensation package. Resident Advisors do not live with students, allowing staff to maintain personal space while remaining accessible to the residential community when needed.

• Who Thrives in This Role This role is a great fit for individuals who enjoy mentoring young adults and helping others build independence. Many successful Life Skills Coaches and Resident Advisors at CLE come from backgrounds such as:
• Psychology
• Social work
• Education or special education
• Counseling
• Behavioral health or ABA therapy
• Student affairs or residential life

• This position is especially rewarding for individuals who enjoy building supportive relationships, solving real-world challenges alongside students, and helping young adults gain confidence as they navigate college and adulthood. Compensation & Benefits Salary: $70,400 annually Benefits include:
• Monthly housing stipend for staff living in the student apartment community
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off

• About College Living Experience College Living Experience (CLE) is a comprehensive support program for young adults diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and learning differences. Students attend local colleges while receiving individualized support in:
• Academic success
• Career development
• Social engagement
• Independent living skills

Students live in integrated apartment communities while attending college, allowing them to practice real-world independence while receiving mentorship and coaching from CLE staff.

Requirements

• Transportation Requirements This role includes travel between work sites and transporting students as needed. Applicants must:
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Have at least one year of licensed driving experience
• Meet company motor vehicle insurance requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, social work, counseling, or a related field
• Two years of experience working with neurodiverse individuals or young adults preferred
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating staff preferred
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build supportive relationships while encouraging student independence
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment