Life Skills Specialist

Life Skills Specialist

Full-Time | Sheboygan, WI
$20–$25 per hour, based on education and experience
Bachelor’s degree required

Help people build confidence, independence, and a stronger connection to their community.

At RCS Empowers, we do more than fill positions—we build careers centered on purpose. Every member of our team plays an important role in empowering individuals with disabilities and other support needs to work, live, and participate in their communities with dignity, confidence, and respect.

As a Life Skills Specialist, you will work directly with youth and adults to help them strengthen practical skills, build meaningful relationships, increase independence, and experience greater inclusion in everyday life.

This is a dynamic, hands-on role for someone who enjoys teaching, mentoring, problem-solving, and helping people achieve goals that genuinely matter.

What You’ll Do

You will provide individualized and small-group instruction, support, and supervision based on each participant’s goals, strengths, preferences, and treatment plan.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Plan and lead activities that promote personal growth, community inclusion, emotional regulation, social awareness, and vocational development
• Help participants build daily living skills such as financial literacy, wellness, recreation, transportation, community mobility, and career exploration
• Develop structured, engaging curriculum based on participant goals and interests
• Encourage participants to take an active role in choosing their activities and shaping their plans
• Provide one-on-one and group instruction in homes, businesses, community locations, employment settings, and agency programs
• Offer guidance, encouragement, and practical support to help participants build confidence and complete meaningful goals
• Teach participants how to use city bus routes and explore other transportation options
• Transport and accompany participants to appointments, activities, and community-based experiences as needed
• Communicate with families, providers, referral sources, and clinical teams when appropriate
• Document services, progress, and supports in alignment with treatment plans and funding requirements
• Complete daily time reporting and required service documentation accurately and consistently
• Promote safety and model appropriate social behavior in all settings
• Provide personal assistance when needed, including restroom support and help maintaining a safe and clean environment
• Use agency software while maintaining confidentiality and information security
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors

What Makes This Role Meaningful

Every day brings something different.

You may help someone learn to navigate the bus system, practice managing money, participate in a community activity, strengthen workplace skills, or develop strategies for handling stress and social situations.

The progress may look different for every participant, but your work will help people become more confident, capable, connected, and independent.

Required Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree is required for this position.

The degree must be in one of the following areas or another closely related field:

• Psychology
• Social Work
• Education
• Human Services
• Rehabilitation
• Behavioral Science
• A related discipline

Candidates must also have:

• Previous experience supporting youth or adults with mental health needs, behavioral concerns, or developmental disabilities
• Strong computer and documentation skills
• A valid Wisconsin driver’s license
• A good driving record
• Reliable transportation
• Personal auto insurance that meets agency requirements
• Eligibility for agency insurance coverage when operating an agency vehicle
• The ability to work independently while remaining a supportive and dependable team member
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills

The Right Person for This Role

You may be a strong fit if you are:

• Patient, encouraging, and dependable
• Comfortable adapting plans when circumstances change
• Creative in developing activities and teaching strategies
• Confident working independently in community-based settings
• Skilled at building trust with participants, families, and professional partners
• Able to balance relationship-building with accurate documentation
• Committed to helping people make their own choices and reach their personal goals
• Calm and thoughtful when responding to challenging or emergency situations

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to safely perform essential job functions in a variety of agency and community settings.

Essential physical requirements may include:

• Communicating clearly through speaking, reading, and writing
• Using basic mathematics and computer systems
• Lifting up to 50 pounds and carrying up to 25 pounds
• Bending, squatting, twisting, kneeling, reaching, standing, and sitting throughout the workday
• Using both hands for repetitive grasping and fine-motor tasks
• Safely assisting with participant transfers
• Operating vehicle lifts, securement systems, sit-to-stand equipment, and other agency equipment after training
• Moving safely through homes, businesses, community locations, and outdoor environments
• Working in varying weather conditions, including heat, humidity, and cold
• Maintaining the physical stamina necessary for an eight-hour workday

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Professional Expectations

Successful Life Skills Specialists are expected to:

• Maintain reliable attendance
• Follow through on assignments independently
• Demonstrate sound judgment
• Respond appropriately during emergencies
• Maintain a positive and professional attitude
• Support a safe work environment
• Participate in team decision-making
• Adapt positively to changes in routine
• Maintain appropriate workplace boundaries and confidentiality
• Comply with agency dress policies and wear attire appropriate to the program and activities being performed

Confidentiality and Participant Rights

Because RCS Empowers serves individuals with disabilities and other support needs, protecting participant privacy, dignity, and rights is essential.

Employees must:

• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with state law and agency policy
• Follow the Client Bill of Rights
• Comply with the RCS Code of Ethics
• Protect all private participant information
• Treat every participant with dignity, respect, and professionalism

Violations of participant rights or confidentiality may result in disciplinary action, termination of employment, and possible civil or criminal liability.

Position Details

Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports To: IPS Manager / Human Services Manager
Starting Pay: $20–$25 per hour, based on education and experience
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree required

Join RCS Empowers

This is more than a teaching position and more than a support role. It is an opportunity to help people build practical skills, experience greater independence, and become more active members of their communities.

If you have the required bachelor’s degree and are looking for a career that combines education, human services, creativity, and meaningful one-on-one impact, we encourage you to apply.

Help people build skills for life—and confidence for what comes next.

RCS Empowers, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer functioning under an Affirmative Action Plan.