Overview

Part-Time Program Support Worker

Life Skills & Community Inclusion – Young Adults 18+

Location: The MindShift Academy – Etobicoke, ON

Schedule: Part-time, 2–3 weekdays per week

Work Location: In person

About The MindShift Academy The MindShift Academy is a community-based developmental services program supporting young adults 18+ with autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other neurodiverse needs.

We are not a passive day program.

Our members are here to learn, participate, contribute, and become more independent.

Our approach is hands-on, structured, and rooted in real life. We focus on building practical life skills, confidence, executive functioning, communication, social development, and greater independence.

The world is our classroom.

On any given day, our members may be:

Preparing and cooking meals

Grocery shopping and budgeting

Cleaning, doing laundry, and completing household responsibilities

Using public transit

Exercising or participating in recreation

Volunteering in the community

Practising workplace and organizational skills

Learning how to plan, problem-solve, communicate, and complete tasks independently

We don't simply do things for our members.

We teach them how to do things for themselves.

Responsibilities

- Assist participants in developing daily living skills such as cooking, budgeting, and personal hygiene through hands-on activities and coaching.
- Support individuals with disabilities by implementing tailored care plans that promote independence and social integration.
- Use effective communication techniques, including American Sign Language if applicable, to ensure clear understanding and meaningful interactions.
- Administer medications safely and accurately according to prescribed schedules and protocols.
- Collaborate with team members to monitor progress, document observations, and update care plans regularly.
- Create a welcoming environment by encouraging participation, fostering positive relationships, and promoting self-confidence among participants.
- Provide caregiving support during activities, outings, and routines to ensure safety and engagement at all times.

Skills

- Experience working with individuals with disabilities or in special education environments.
- Knowledge of caregiving practices and medication administration procedures.
- Proficiency in communication skills, including the ability to use American Sign Language if necessary.
- Strong interpersonal skills to build trusting relationships with participants and team members.
- Ability to adapt activities to meet diverse needs and skill levels.
- Compassionate attitude combined with patience, flexibility, and enthusiasm for supporting others’ growth.

This paid position offers an enriching opportunity to make a positive impact while developing your skills in a dynamic, supportive environment dedicated to empowering individuals through life-changing programs.

The Role

This is not a traditional support worker position where the primary responsibility is supervision.

We are looking for an energetic, dependable, confident, and compassionate Program Support Worker who genuinely enjoys teaching young adults and helping them develop greater independence.

Your role is to coach, model, prompt, teach, encourage, and gradually step back as a member develops a skill.

Sometimes allowing someone the time to complete a task independently takes longer than simply doing it yourself.

That is exactly the point.

If your instinct is to take over because it is faster or easier, this position will likely not be the right fit.

If you get satisfaction from watching someone finally complete a task they have been working toward independently, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Program Support Worker, you will:

- Coach young adults in developing practical everyday life skills
- Teach cooking, meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, budgeting, and personal organization
- Support executive functioning skills including planning, sequencing, organization,



transitions, time management, and task completion
- Break larger tasks into clear, manageable steps
- Use modelling, verbal prompts, visual supports, encouragement, repetition, and gradual fading of assistance
- Support members in becoming more independent rather than becoming dependent on staff support
- Participate actively in community-based learning experiences
- Support members while using public transit, visiting local businesses, participating in recreation, volunteering, and completing community errands
- Encourage communication, social interaction, friendships, and appropriate community participation
- Support members experiencing behavioural, emotional, or regulation challenges in a calm, respectful, and professional manner
- Recognize individual strengths, abilities, communication styles, and support needs
- Maintain appropriate documentation and progress notes
- Observe and communicate member progress
- Work collaboratively with fellow support staff, leadership, families, and community partners
- Help maintain a structured, positive, respectful, safe, and engaging environment

Who We're Looking For The right person for this role understands that support does not mean doing everything for someone.

You are someone who

- Believes young adults with disabilities are capable of learning current skills
- Has high but realistic expectations
- Is patient when a skill requires repetition
- Gives clear, step-by-step instructions
- Knows when to help and, equally importantly, when to step back
- Encourages problem-solving before immediately providing the answer
- Communicates clearly, professionally, and respectfully
- Is comfortable being active and engaged throughout the day
- Takes initiative without requiring constant direction
- Can think on their feet and solve problems calmly
- Is organized and manages time effectively
- Works well within a team
- Accepts feedback and applies it professionally
- Is dependable, punctual, and prepared for their shift
- Understands that dignity, choice, respect, and independence must remain at the centre of support
- Takes genuine pride in helping another person succeed

This Position May NOT Be the Right Fit If You:
- Prefer sitting and supervising rather than actively participating
- Regularly complete tasks for members because it is quicker
- Become frustrated when someone needs repetition or additional processing time
- Need frequent reminders or constant direction to complete your own responsibilities
- Struggle with organization, punctuality, or time management
- Are uncomfortable participating in cooking, cleaning, community outings, recreation, or public transit
- Have difficulty adapting when plans change
- Are uncomfortable supporting individuals with different communication, behavioural, emotional, or sensory needs
- View this role primarily as caregiving rather than teaching and skill development

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants should have

- Experience supporting young adults 18+ with developmental disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, or neurodiverse needs
- Experience within developmental services, community programs, behavioural support, life-skills programming, recreation, or a related setting
- Experience teaching practical life skills
- A strong understanding of person-centred support and promoting independence
- Strong verbal and written English communication skills
- The ability to communicate professionally with members, families, support staff, and community partners
- The ability to observe, document, and communicate progress accurately
- Current First Aid and CPR certification
- A current Vulnerable Sector Check





Education in one of the following areas is strongly preferred:
- Developmental Services Worker (DSW)
- Social Service Worker (SSW)
- Child and Youth Care (CYC)
- Behavioural Science
- Autism and Behavioural Science
- Psychology
- Therapeutic Recreation
- Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA/PTA)
- Personal Support Worker (PSW)
- Social Work
- Recreation Therapy
- Behavioural Support
- Or another related diploma or degree

A valid driver's licence is considered an asset. What Success Looks Like at The MindShift Academy

Successful Program Support Workers

- Teach instead of taking over
- Build confidence rather than dependence
- Encourage members to try before stepping in
- Break skills into achievable steps
- Provide consistent and respectful coaching
- Support executive functioning development
- Recognize individual strengths
- Maintain high expectations while providing appropriate support
- Celebrate progress rather than perfection
- Understand that small accomplishments can lead to greater lifelong independence

Most importantly, they believe our members are capable young adults who deserve opportunities to learn, contribute, and be challenged. Why Join The MindShift Academy?

- Meaningful, hands-on work
- Small, community-focused program
- Opportunity to see the direct impact of your work
- Supportive and collaborative team environment
- Professional development opportunities
- Casual dress
- On-site parking
- Complimentary coffee and snacks
- Free lunch while working
- A workplace where creativity, initiative, and new ideas are encouraged

Application Questions Please answer the following when applying:
- In your own words, what is the difference between supporting someone and doing a task for them?
- Tell us about a practical life skill you have successfully taught to a young adult with a developmental disability. How did you teach it?
- If a member is struggling to complete a task and asks you to do it for them, what would you do?
- What strategies have you used to support executive functioning skills such as planning, organization, transitions, time management, sequencing, or task completion?
- What education or training do you have that relates to developmental services?
- Please specify your diploma, degree, certificate, or area of study.
- Do you currently hold First Aid and CPR certification?
- Do you have a current Vulnerable Sector Check, or are you willing to obtain one?
- How much experience do you have supporting young adults 18+ with developmental disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, or neurodiverse needs?
- How much experience do you have teaching practical life skills?
- This position requires you to be actively involved throughout the day, including cooking, cleaning, community outings, walking, recreation, public transit, and hands-on teaching. Are you comfortable with this type of workplace?
- Are you available to work 2–3 weekdays per week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.?The MindShift Academy

The world is our classroom. We don't just fill time.

We build skills for life.

Pay: $20.00-$21.00 per hour

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Discounted or free food
- Versatile schedule
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking

Application question(s):
- Do you currently hold First Aid and CPR certification?
- Do you have a current Vulnerable Sector Check, or are you willing to obtain one?
- How much experience do you have supporting young adults 18+ with developmental disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, or neurodiverse needs
- How much experience do you have teaching practical life skills?
- This position requires you to be actively involved throughout the day, including cooking, cleaning, community outings, walking, recreation, public transit, and hands-on teaching. Are you comfortable with this type of environment?
- Are you available to work 2–3 weekdays per week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.?
- What education or training do you have that relates to developmental services?

Please specify your diploma, degree, certificate, or area of study.

Work Location: In person

📌 Life Skills Program worker - Part Time - 3 days a week (Lakeshore)
🏢 The MindShift Academy
📍 Lakeshore