Lead Direct Support Professional

EDEN AUTISM SERVICES INC•Robbinsville Township, NJ

12d•$22 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

Eden is a Princeton, New Jersey-based nonprofit community-services provider that has served children and adults with autism for over 40 years. Its programs include education, residential and employment services, and clinical and training support for families and professionals. The Lead Direct Support Professional provides basic life-skills training and behavior support to participants in their residence and in the community, meeting their individual therapeutic needs. This role is based at Sobolevitch House in Robbinsville, New Jersey, and is scheduled Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., with flexibility as needed. The Lead DSP supervises and trains residential staff, supports implementation of individual teaching and behavior programs, completes documentation and administrative tasks, assists with residential operations and facilities upkeep, and communicates with participants’ families and colleagues.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least two years of direct-care work experience.
At least one year of supervisory experience.
Valid driver's license with a record in good standing, defined as fewer than five points.
Ability to pass and maintain Professional Crisis Management certification.
Working knowledge of applied behavior analysis.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to read, write, and comprehend simple instructions and correspondence.
Commitment to providing consistent, excellent customer service.
Basic math skills, including operations with whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to interact effectively with individuals and groups, internally and externally.
Ability to use common-sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions.
Ability to implement trained physical techniques, including personal control, crisis, and restrictive procedures, and to provide physical assistance or prompting when required.
Beginner-to-intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and to bend, squat, kneel, stretch, stoop, and reach above shoulder level.
Vision abilities including close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Ability to use and maintain physical restraints with participants as needed.
Mobility to ensure participant safety at all times.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in Social Services or a related field.
Direct-care experience with developmentally disabled individuals.
Fee for Service/Therap certification.

Responsibilities

Supervise shift Direct Support Professionals and substitutes; assist with Teacher Quality Assessments and performance evaluations.
Coordinate and assist with training residential staff, and work with Program Supervisors to provide timely feedback to DSPs.
Assist in developing Individual Habilitation Plans and Behavior Support Plans for assigned participants and troubleshoot as needed.
Ensure teaching and behavior-support data are collected, review it for accuracy and progress, and maintain participant performance data in Therap.
Help create habilitation environments that support participant needs and evidence-based intervention practices.
Coach DSPs in correct implementation of Professional Crisis Management techniques and ensure consistent implementation of participants’ Behavior Support Plans.
Manage maladaptive behaviors, including tantrums, self-injury, and aggression.
Implement residential schedules to ensure adequate staff coverage across shifts.
Assist with monthly behavioral, clinical, financial, medical, and facilities reports and paperwork as needed.
Help maintain participant files, including medical, dental, and IHP records.
Assist with scheduling medical and dental appointments and follow-ups, and provide coverage as necessary.
Assist in monitoring residential and participant budget-related activities.
Assist with weekly time and attendance records and time-off requests; follow purchasing, requisition, and accounting procedures.
Participate in monthly medication check-ins with the Health and Social Services Coordinator as needed.
Perform light facilities maintenance, maintain safe and uncluttered living conditions, assist with basic pool maintenance when applicable, and report maintenance needs.
Communicate professionally and proactively with parents and colleagues and participate in scheduled individual, house-staff, and participant-staffing meetings.
Immediately notify a Supervisor or Coordinator of situations that compromise safe and effective Residential Services operations.
Cooperate with Eden Autism Services and Department of Human Services staff during inspections or investigations.
Represent Eden professionally when accompanying participants in the community.