Direct Support Professional - Syracuse
About The Position
Advocates is seeking a creative and compassionate Mentor (DSP/1:1 Support Staff) to work with a gifted young man with a developmental disability. In this important role, you will support him in developing independent living skills, building communication and social interaction skills, and participating in recreational, social, and physical fitness activities within the community. This individual has limited verbal communication skills and benefits from working with staff who are patient, observant, and able to recognize and respond to nonverbal forms of communication. He may experience behavioral challenges, particularly when working with new staff or in unfamiliar situations. The ideal candidate will be comfortable using positive redirection techniques, remaining calm during periods of frustration, and helping him successfully transition between activities and environments. Music is a highly effective coping and calming tool for this individual, and mentors should be willing to incorporate his interests into support strategies to help promote emotional regulation, engagement, and positive experiences. Consistency, patience, flexibility, and a person-centered approach are essential to building trust and developing a successful working relationship. The ideal candidate for this position will have strong communication and leadership skills, patience, creativity, and excellent organizational abilities. Experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral support needs is preferred. Please respond with a resume or summary of relevant experience. Candidate must possess a keen sense of attention to detail, especially when electronically logging each day's time, mileage, and service documentation. DSP must have a valid email address.
Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Must have a valid email address.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and auto insurance if required for the job assigned.
- Must demonstrate sound decision-making skills.
- Must demonstrate understanding for the Agency mission.
- People working in this position must believe in the philosophy of person-centered services, self-advocacy, and the right and ability of people we serve to self-direct their supports and services.
- Must demonstrate patience and compassion.
- Must have the ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and have the ability to write correspondence.
- Must have basic reasoning skills including the ability to analyze and problem solve.
- Must be able to tolerate a moderate noise level in the work environment and must be able to handle distractions.
- Ability to handle physical aspects of the job, including sitting, standing, using hands to reach, walk, push, or lift up to 50 pounds.
Nice To Haves
- Experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral support needs is preferred.
- Previous experience working 1:1 in a related service environment preferred.
- Knowledge of disability related issues preferred.
Responsibilities
- Support the individual in developing independent living skills.
- Assist in building communication and social interaction skills.
- Facilitate participation in recreational, social, and physical fitness activities within the community.
- Incorporate the individual's interests, such as music, into support strategies to promote emotional regulation, engagement, and positive experiences.
- Electronically log each day's time, mileage, and service documentation.
Benefits
- Mileage (reimbursed at the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate when providing transportation to the individual)
- Life and Long-Term Disability insurance at no cost to the employee
- Health, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401k with up to a 2% match
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
