Now hiring in Arcata
Paid overnight work, a private bedroom, paid training, and flexible direct-support hours a short walk from Cal Poly Humboldt.
Humboldt Friends is sharing this opening and receiving initial inquiries. It is not the employer or a staffing agency.
Details last verified September 4, 2026. Availability, authorizations, and scheduling may change.
Important housing condition
The room is available only through the Housing Authority-approved Section 8 live-in-aide arrangement. It is not a regular room rental or a separate lease. Living in the room depends on continued employment and Housing Authority approval.
Quick facts
The position has 36 scheduled overnight hours, with standby and direct-support time recorded separately. When you are actively helping, that time is paid at $25 per hour instead of the $17.40 standby rate. The two rates are not added together.
Overtime is paid when required by law.
Each shift starts at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday and ends at 6:00 a.m. the same morning. No shift starts at 12:00 a.m. Sunday.
You must stay inside the home during the shift. You may sleep when help is not needed, but you must wake promptly and respond reliably.
The work
You would support an intelligent, playful, and goofy autistic adult who enjoys:
“Get ready to laugh with a side of zen.”
You would join an established seven-person support team. Other staff are available for training, coordination, and emergencies.
At the beginning of each midnight shift, you provide a brief medication prompt and observation.
On an average night, help is usually needed about twice. Each time generally lasts 20–30 minutes. Some nights require no additional help.
The assistance is nonmedical and disability-related.
No driving is required for the current position. You do not need to provide transportation.
You must have a compatible smartphone for MAINSL’s Electronic Visit Verification system. It checks location when you clock in and out; it does not continuously track you.
Flexible and possible extra work
The room and household
The apartment is about one block from the pedestrian overpass and a short walk from Cal Poly Humboldt. The position is student-friendly, and nonstudents are equally welcome.
The home requires stairs. Street parking may be available, but it can be difficult, and daytime parking is generally time-limited. Anyone bringing a vehicle must arrange their own parking.
Supervising staff must be present during move-in and move-out. The work and room require DDS clearance. Following an arrest, if DDS formally removes that clearance, the employee must stop providing care and is no longer eligible to live in the room.
This is a neurodiversity-friendly and LGBTQ+-friendly workplace.
Who can apply
The requested one-year intention is not a guarantee of employment or housing duration.
Little or no work experience is welcome. Training is provided.
Hiring steps
The Live Scan fingerprinting fee is currently estimated at about $90. The actual fee may vary. The applicant pays it directly to the Arcata Police Department, and it cannot be reimbursed. The Housing Authority process has no charge.
Paid work begins only after DDS clearance and MAINSL onboarding.
Online screening privacy
No background-check payment is made to Humboldt Friends or the participant.
Before beginning an invited screening, read the Applicant Assessment Privacy Notice for collection, use, access, retention, and contact details.
How to apply
If you need a disability-related accommodation for the application, local meeting, or online screening, include that request in the form. Requesting an accommodation will not affect employment consideration.
Employment information
This position supports one participant in California’s Self-Determination Program. MAINSL handles payroll and employment administration as the Financial Management Service.
Humboldt Friends helps connect good people with volunteering, friendship-building, and paid opportunities. Humboldt Friends is not the employer or a staffing agency.
