Paid Disability Support Intern

Paid Disability Support Intern / Seasonal Program Assistant

Employer: PosAbilities Academy, LLC d/b/a PosAbilities Center
Position Title: Paid Disability Support Intern / Seasonal Program Assistant
Position Type: Paid Internship / Seasonal Non-Exempt Employee
Compensation: $18.00 per hour
Location: In-Person
Schedule: Summer internship; schedule to be determined based on program needs
Minimum Duration: At least 8 weeks and 120 total hours
Worksite: PosAbilities Center, Leesburg, Virginia

• June 15th, 2026  - August 14, 2026
• 9am to 1pm Monday through Friday

About PosAbilities Center

PosAbilities Academy, LLC d/b/a PosAbilities Center provides structured, person-centered programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our programs focus on independence, social engagement, communication, community participation, life skills, vocational readiness, recreation, and individualized support in a safe and inclusive environment.

PosAbilities Academy, LLC d/b/a PosAbilities Center is a proud participant in the InternshipsVA program. #InVA

Position Summary

PosAbilities Center is seeking Paid Disability Support Interns / Seasonal Program Assistants for our summer program. This internship is designed for students interested in special education, psychology, applied behavior analysis, human services, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, recreation therapy, disability services, or related fields.

Interns will gain supervised, hands-on experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a structured group program. This is a paid internship and seasonal employee role. Interns will receive onboarding, training, mentorship, supervision, and feedback throughout the internship.

This is not a volunteer position. Interns are paid through payroll and are not classified as independent contractors.

Learning Objectives

• By the end of the internship, interns will gain exposure to and develop foundational skills in:
• Supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
• Person-centered support practices;
• Professional communication in a human services setting;
• Group activity support and structured programming;
• Positive behavior support strategies, including prompting, reinforcement, transition support, and environmental structure;
• Safety awareness and professional boundaries;
• Teamwork, reliability, and ethical service delivery.

Essential Responsibilities

• Interns may assist with the following under staff supervision:
• Support participants during structured group activities, recreational activities, social engagement, and daily routines;
• Assist with activity setup, cleanup, and materials preparation;
• Support transitions, arrival routines, departure routines, snack/lunch routines, and movement breaks;
• Encourage participation, communication, cooperation, and independence;
• Use respectful, person-centered language;
• Follow participant support strategies as trained by program leadership;
• Observe and learn how staff implement individualized supports and group-based programming;
• Communicate participant needs, safety concerns, or incidents to lead staff promptly;
• Participate in staff check-ins, coaching, and supervision meetings;
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or GED;
• Current enrollment or intent to enroll in the upcoming semester at a Virginia college or university for InternshipsVA-supported positions;
• Interest in special education, psychology, ABA, human services, social work, therapy-related fields, recreation therapy, or disability services;
• Reliability, professionalism, patience, and willingness to learn;
• Ability to work as part of a team in an active program environment;
• Completion of required onboarding, training, background checks, and health/safety requirements before working with participants.

Preferred:

• Coursework or experience related to disabilities, education, psychology, ABA, human services, or therapy-related fields;
• Prior volunteer, work, or academic experience with children, teens, or adults with disabilities;
• Strong communication skills;
• Comfort supporting group activities and transitions.

Physical and Environmental Expectations

This role takes place in an active summer program environment. Interns should be able to stand, walk, sit, bend, move throughout the day, assist with setup/cleanup, and support indoor and outdoor activities as appropriate.

Equal Opportunity Statement

PosAbilities Academy, LLC d/b/a PosAbilities Center is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity, professionalism, inclusion, and respect for individuals with disabilities, families, staff, interns, and community partners.