Community Opportunities Professional - DSP

Community Link • Breese, IL

4d

About The Position

The Community Opportunities Professional (DSP) supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in increasing independence, building skills, participating in volunteer opportunities, and pursuing integrated employment goals through discovery. Working alongside participants in community settings, this role promotes inclusion, self-determination, relationship building, and active participation in community life. The position helps individuals explore interests, develop skills, navigate community resources, and pursue personal goals through individualized, person-centered services.

The role develops and enhances curricula, lesson plans, and learning activities; provides practical instruction in community, employment, and independent-living skills; and supports participants in exploring, obtaining, and maintaining community-based employment. It implements individualized plans, tracks progress, documents services, and collaborates with the Employment and Inclusion Coordinator and other team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in a human services field, including psychology, sociology, special education, or rehabilitation counseling; alternatively, a High School Diploma or GED with at least one year of experience or training related to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as participant program plans and procedure manuals, write routine reports, and present information effectively in one-on-one and small-group situations.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including calculations involving money.
• Ability to solve practical problems in situations with limited standardization and to interpret and carry out written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
• Effective communication skills and ability to adapt to changing program needs.
• Genuine interest in participant welfare and competent knowledge of behavior principles.
• Basic computer skills for participant data tracking, incident reporting, and other processes required by supervisory staff.
• Must pass the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) with a score of 80% or higher.
• Must be able to drive agency vehicles.
• Must be able to stay awake during the work shift.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including assisting participants with mobility and transfers.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously enhance curricula, lesson plans, and learning activities supporting community engagement, employment readiness, self-advocacy, independence, and other person-centered outcomes.
• Teach social, communication, self-advocacy, problem-solving, safety, technology, and workplace-readiness skills, including their real-world application.
• Teach safe community navigation, including public transportation use, route planning, natural supports, and access to community resources.
• Support participants in identifying, pursuing, and maintaining community-based employment, including job exploration, applications, interviews, onboarding, and job retention.
• Provide individualized on-site and follow-along support to promote successful integration into competitive, integrated employment settings aligned with participant interests and goals.
• Implement individualized plans, track progress, document services accurately, and communicate regularly with the team while maintaining person-centered and compliant practices.
• Collaborate with the Employment and Inclusion Coordinator to connect participants' interests, preferences, and goals with meaningful community opportunities and needs.
• Assist individuals as needed with wheelchair maneuvering, ambulation, and transfers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time