Direct Support Professional - Baldwinsville (Behavioral Support Req'd)

ADVOCATES INCORPORATED • Village of Baldwinsville, NY

22d • $16 - $22 • Onsite

About The Position

Advocates is seeking a Mentor (DSP/1:1 support staff) to support an active woman with a developmental disability in her home and community. The person receiving support may have verbal outbursts and may become physically aggressive, so candidates must be comfortable supporting her through these behaviors. The Mentor will help her work toward personal goals, establish a weekly routine, and collect daily activities and events for a calendar.

The role supports goals involving social connections and conversation, independent living skills such as shopping, cooking, personal care, and maintaining a clean and safe home, community volunteering, and safety practices at home and in the community. The individual enjoys photography, gardening, crafting, and Disney movies, and is a budding entrepreneur.

Work is based in Baldwinsville, New York. The job offers either a full-time Monday–Friday schedule from 8 AM to 4 PM or a consistent part-time schedule of three days per week: Sunday–Tuesday or Wednesday–Friday, also from 8 AM to 4 PM. Direct-support pay is $22 or more per hour depending on behavioral experience; indirect and training time is paid at $16 per hour. Advocates reimburses mileage at the IRS standard rate when transporting the individual and offers insurance and retirement benefits. Background checks are required.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid email address.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and auto insurance if required for the assigned job.
• Must demonstrate sound decision-making skills, patience, and compassion.
• Must understand and support the agency mission and the philosophy of person-centered services, self-advocacy, and individuals’ right and ability to self-direct their supports and services.
• Must be able to read and comprehend instructions and correspondence and write correspondence.
• Must have basic reasoning skills, including the ability to analyze and problem solve.
• Must be able to tolerate a moderate noise level and handle distractions.
• Must be able to perform physical aspects of the job, including sitting, standing, reaching, walking, pushing, and lifting up to 50 pounds; reasonable accommodations may be made.
• Must be comfortable supporting an individual who may have verbal outbursts and become physically aggressive.
• Must have strong attention to detail, particularly for electronic time, mileage, and service documentation.
• Background checks are required.

Nice To Haves

• GED or high school diploma preferred.
• Applicable job experience preferred.
• Previous experience working 1:1 in a related service environment preferred.
• Knowledge of disability-related issues preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with autism and behavioral support or redirection preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the individual in pursuing goals at home and in the community.
• Build a weekly routine and gather daily activities and events for a calendar.
• Support social skills, community connections, friendships, conversations, and activities with others.
• Help develop independent living skills, including grocery shopping, cooking, personal care, and maintaining a clean and safe living space.
• Support participation in or the pursuit of community volunteer positions.
• Practice safety skills at home and in the community, including parking-lot and traffic safety and fire and emergency drills.
• Electronically log daily time, mileage, and service documentation.
• Provide transportation to the individual when required for the assigned job.

Benefits

• Mileage reimbursement at the IRS standard rate when providing transportation to the individual.
• Life and long-term disability insurance at no cost to the employee.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Supplemental life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 401(k) with up to a 2% match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED