Residential Direct Support Professional

The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence

9d•$19 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

Assist in coordinating the residential program for people supported, emphasizing independence, integration, individualization, productivity, and each person’s choices. Incorporate a person-centered approach into training and proactively provide, arrange, supervise, and document services that support growth toward greater independence. Support the agency’s goals, objectives, philosophy, and values, including measurable signs of PRIDE. The role provides direct assistance and instruction with household acclimation, personal funds, shopping, nutrition, meal planning and preparation, household cleaning, leisure activities, and transportation. Staff implement and document individual service-plan programming, including activities of daily living, interpersonal skills, behavioral supports, nursing and clinical services, and self-care. The position also includes monitoring health and safety, responding to crises, completing required records and reports, and communicating with residential management and other staff. The position operates in the home of the people supported and includes travel as needed within Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties for community activities, appointments, outings, and training. Work hours are flexible to program needs. Full-time work is 40 hours; part-time work has a 20-hour minimum, and sub work has a 15-hour minimum. New hires cannot start before the November 2, 2026 orientation session. Duties may change, and temporary or permanent transfers within the department may be required to meet the needs of the people served.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency preferred.
Valid/acceptable New York State driver’s license.
Authorized to work in the United States.
Must obtain transportation department clearance and maintain driving certification when assigned to drive an agency vehicle; the posting states that pay is reduced if hired as a non-driver or if certification is lost.
Must complete the OPWDD-approved medication course and maintain certification if designated to administer medications.
Must attend required in-services and achieve at least 80% competency on written examinations.
Able to meet the described physical demands, including regularly talking or hearing and frequently standing, walking, lifting, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reaching with hands and arms.
Competencies include ethical conduct, time management, working independently, operating various cleaning machines, and communicating with management.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with people with developmental disabilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist people supported with purchasing necessary household equipment, managing personal funds, making purchases and disbursements, and acclimating to the home environment.
Assist with nutrition, meal planning and preparation, and grocery shopping; provide training as specified in service plans.
Guide and instruct people supported in cleaning, domestic tasks, and maintaining their rooms and property; help keep the physical plant safe and sanitary.
Guide people supported in leisure activities and arrange or provide transportation as needed.
Obtain transportation department clearance to drive agency vehicles and maintain driving certification when assigned as a driver.
Conduct and document fire drills as required by regulations and policy.
Communicate the needs of people supported and household supply needs to the Residence Manager.
Participate in staff meetings and discussions about individual and household needs and the CR/IRA program.
Participate in crisis intervention and implement and follow through on ADL, interpersonal-skill training, and behavioral-support programs as directed and specified in support plans.
Complete accurate, timely documentation of programs on the same day they are implemented, assisting the Residence Manager/QIDP as directed.
Administer medications when designated, after successfully completing the OPWDD-approved medication course, and maintain the required certification.
Attend required in-service training and demonstrate proficiency by achieving at least 80% on written examinations.
Report illnesses, accidents, changes, or problems in a person’s medical status to the on-call nurse or administrator; follow documentation procedures and instructions, and complete daily nursing notes on health monitoring.
Write incident reports (GERs) in accordance with Incident Review Procedures.
Ensure the needs, safety, and welfare of people supported are met while promoting integration, individualization, independence, productivity, personal choice, and the five governing principles.
Communicate matters concerning support programs and the physical plant to the Residence Manager or Assistant Residence Manager through the daily log or other contact as needed.
Accept temporary or permanent transfers within the department as necessary to meet the needs of people served.
Follow policies and procedures in the Functional Plan applicable to the assigned work site.
Document service-plan activities in accordance with regulations and training, including programming, nursing services, clinical services, and self-care.
Monitor people supported during sleeping hours as required, attend to their needs, and observe and document each individual and bedroom according to bed-check logs and team recommendations.
Perform daily cleaning duties as required, complete cleaning logs and physical-plant checklists, and perform other duties assigned by the Residence Manager.
Act as designated in charge in the Residence Manager’s absence when assigned.
Follow procedures for handling personal funds and ensure purchases and documentation are proper.
Travel as needed within Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties for community activities, outings, appointments, and training.