Program Room Assistant

Melmark Overview

Melmark is a nonprofit organization providing clinically-sophisticated evidence-based special education, residential, vocational, and therapeutic services for children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, developmental and intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, medical complexities, and other neurological and genetic disorders.

The Program Room Assistant is responsible for providing vocational instruction to assigned individuals in a structured environment designed to promote intellectual, emotional and social growth. The PRA will assist in implementing teaching plans that are appropriate to the ages and populations served, specifically adults with autism, intellectual/developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury. The Program Room Assistant will typically be assigned to a program room but may be required to work with individuals from other program rooms, as assigned by supervisors.

Populations served are sometimes intensely physically challenging and/or requiring total assistance with daily needs. The position requires that staff be aware that individuals who are served may exhibit aggressive and/or self‑injurious behavior. This requires the Program Room Assistant to be constantly alert and ready to respond to the individual’s needs according to effective behavior analytic interventions.

• Monday - Friday 7:30 a‑morning – 3:30 p‑m or 8 a‑morning – 4 p‑m
• Starting Rate: $16.50/hour (+) based on years of experience

• High School Diploma required.
• A valid driver's license and ability to meet approved Melmark driver status.
• Minimum age of eighteen.
• Prefer at least one (1) year experience with specialized populations.

• Maintains Level of Supervision (LOS) for assigned individual(s) at all times.
• Attends and maintains individual’s hygiene, grooming, and dressing needs and provides personal care as needed.
• Implements all procedures as written in each individual’s Behavior Support Plan, Individual Support Plan and/or Protocol Summary. Implements all procedures as written in each individual’s Teaching Plans.
• Accurately collects data on all targeted behaviors for acceleration and declaration on assigned individual(s) as indicated in Behavior Support Plan, Individual Support Plan and/or Protocol Summary. Accurately collects data for all Teaching Plans at the time of the instructional session.
• Responds appropriately during crisis (utilizing only approved crisis management techniques, remaining calm and composed, or acting quickly to protect others) as indicated in the crisis prevention training curriculum or each individual’s Protocol Summary, Individual Support Plan, or Behavior Support Plan (BSP).
• Maintains an appropriate level of functional engagement with individuals at all times (e.g., activities of daily living, preparation and clean‑up for meals, medication administration, chore completion, meaningful leisure activities, community outings, etc.).
• Assists with providing access to the community for all assigned individuals and follows proper outing and vehicle policies and procedures, including supervisor approval for all community outings.

• Work with a nationally known leader in quality‑driven initiatives
• Generous Paid Time Off Benefits including Vacation, Holiday and Sick!
• Melmark Sponsored Pension Plan and 403(b) with employer matching
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care
• Life, AD&D, and Disability insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Generous Student Loan Reimbursement
• Professional Conference and Research Opportunities
• On‑site CEUs at no cost to employees