DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Jay Nolan Community Services•Santa Cruz, CA

4d•$20 - $23

About The Position

As a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Jay Nolan Community Services, you provide individualized, one-to-one support to people with autism and other developmental disabilities. You help individuals live with dignity, independence, and choice by encouraging them to do things for themselves and supporting their personal, educational, and career goals. Support may take place in a person’s home and community and may address behavioral, physical, or communication challenges. The role involves implementing each individual’s Support Plan, promoting safety and well-being, helping establish daily or weekly activity schedules, and participating hands-on in activities. A typical workday may include accompanying clients to hobby groups, classes, the gym, errands, or medical appointments; supporting household chores and planning; taking neighborhood walks; providing companionship and emotional support; and helping clients connect with friends and loved ones. Wheelchair transfers and personal-hygiene assistance may be needed when applicable. The position is with Jay Nolan Community Services, a nonprofit providing individualized support to children, teens, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities so they can live, work, and thrive in their own homes and communities. The organization describes itself as inclusive, supportive, and community-oriented, and states that it is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, nursing, social work, applied behavior analysis, behavioral medicine, speech and language, rehabilitation, marriage and family therapy, or a comparable human services field is listed as a preferred qualification.
A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance may be needed on a case-by-case basis.

Nice To Haves

Personal or professional experience working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities; experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide one-to-one direct support to people with autism and intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to help them achieve their highest possible level of independence.
Act as a mentor and role model for socially acceptable and culturally valued ways to interact and support others.
Support individuals facing behavioral, physical, communication, or other challenges in their homes and communities.
Implement the individual’s developed Individual Support Plan (ISP).
Assist individuals in maintaining their personal safety and well-being.
Help individuals establish daily or weekly activity schedules to maximize independence.
Stay up to date with required training and certifications.
Participate hands-on in activities.
Accompany clients to activities such as hobby groups, classes, or the gym.
Support clients with household chores, errands, and medical appointments.
Help clients plan and stay on schedule.
Provide companionship and emotional support and help clients connect with friends and loved ones.
Provide wheelchair transfers and personal-hygiene assistance when applicable.