Direct Support Professional - Fayetteville
About The Position
Advocates is seeking a Mentor (DSP/1:1 support staff) to support a male with a developmental disability who continues to look for new ways to learn and grow to gain independence. While he may need support with responding with verbal communication, and frequently uses his phone or iPad to express his thoughts, he is very talented and expresses his creativity through art. He is interested and currently active in a wide array of seasonally appropriate activities including skiing, ice skating, bike riding, hiking, and being outdoors. He also enjoys playing video games and going to movies. He would like to learn how to use a drone as a new hobby. He enjoys being active and has a desire to make connections in the community. He is currently volunteering at two locations on Mondays. He and his family are looking for a Mentor to assist him with working on his goals in his community, introduce him to new activities, and explore additional volunteer activities. Goals include: Health and fitness - using the gym, maintaining daily fitness, swimming, and introducing him to other health and fitness related activities; Social skills - making community connections and friendships; Independent living skills - tasks that help to prepare for life long skills and spark an interest in something he could learn that could lead to other volunteer opportunities; Participating in volunteer work and community activities. Seeking a DSP who is reliable, enthusiastic, creative, and active. 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.
- Background checks required.
- GED or High School Diploma preferred.
Nice To Haves
- Related experience working with individuals with disabilities preferred.
- Previous experience working 1:1 in a related service environment preferred.
- Knowledge of disability related issues preferred.
Responsibilities
- Assist the individual with working on his goals in the community.
- Introduce the individual to new activities.
- Explore additional volunteer activities with the individual.
- Support health and fitness goals, including using the gym, maintaining daily fitness, swimming, and introducing other related activities.
- Support social skills development, including making community connections and friendships.
- Assist with independent living skills tasks that prepare for lifelong skills.
- Spark an interest in potential volunteer opportunities.
- Support participation in volunteer work and community activities.
- 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
