Direct Support Professional (Day Hab)

AHRC Nassau•Oceanside, NY

About The Position

Direct Support Professionals provide continuous support to individuals participating in Day Habilitation and ICF programs, promoting quality of life, independence, self-care, health, safety, socialization, and overall well-being. They support individuals in achieving personal goals and provide opportunities for personal growth, socialization, and skill-building in community-based settings. The role also provides second-staff transportation support to and from program sites, volunteer placements, and other community activities. DSPs are expected to embrace diversity, demonstrate cultural awareness, and foster an inclusive, welcoming environment where every individual feels valued. The position supports program volunteers at agency locations, community volunteer jobs, and other sites. Duties include ensuring their safety, training them in functional and meaningful tasks, facilitating appropriate interactions, serving as a liaison with job-site staff, and reporting successes, concerns, and incidents to the appropriate manager or agency personnel. DSPs complete required documentation, uphold agency philosophies and guiding principles, attend mandatory training, and maintain required certifications. Responsibilities may evolve, and additional related duties may be assigned by a supervisor.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Valid New York State driver’s license and continued qualification as a driver under the agency’s driver policy.
If currently holding an out-of-state driver’s license, transfer it to a New York State license within 30 days of hire.
Ability to meet the physical demands of lifting and transferring adult participants as needed.

Nice To Haves

AMAP, First Aid, CPR, and SCIP-R training preferred.
At least one year of experience working with people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure the safety of program volunteers at program sites, agency locations, community volunteer jobs, and other hub sites.
Train program volunteers to perform functional, meaningful, and/or volunteer job tasks to the best of their abilities.
Provide second-staff support by transporting volunteers to and from program sites, community volunteer jobs, and other agency locations.
Act as a liaison between volunteer job-site staff and program volunteers.
Prompt volunteers to interact appropriately with peers and others at program and community sites.
Report volunteers’ success, satisfaction, problems, and concerns during activities to the volunteer’s Site Manager.
Complete all required documentation appropriately.
Promote and enforce agency philosophies, including guiding principles/POM and CQL.
Ensure volunteer safety and report incidents to the volunteer’s Site Manager, AHRC management, and/or the NYS Justice Center as appropriate.
Monitor and attend mandatory training, ensuring attendance is scheduled by required deadlines.
Maintain and schedule CPR, SCIP, and AMAP certifications within required timeframes.
Complete Personal Outcome Measures training before conducting evaluations and assessments.
Perform additional related duties as requested by the supervisor.
Provide support with lifting and transferring adult participants as needed.
Provide second-staff support during transportation as needed, including wheelchair vehicle/lockdowns.