Vocational Support Professional

The Arc Of Southern Maryland•Prince Frederick, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vocational Support Professional provides onsite instruction, support, and encouragement to people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. As a member of a support team, the professional contributes to person-centered planning and individualized goals, responds to crisis situations, and helps ensure that people receiving support meet the duties required at their employment sites. The role supports employment, volunteer, recreational, and apprenticeship activities, promotes relationships and natural support systems, and helps people make informed choices and pursue their preferences, needs, and interests. The position involves direct support and personal care as needed; medication assistance or administration when certified; communication and coordination with employers, families, community organizations, service providers, and support teams; crisis response and behavior-plan implementation; advocacy; and timely, confidential documentation. The employee follows agency, state, and federal requirements and attends required training and team meetings. The work is based in Calvert County, with work across the tri-county area on a varied schedule. It includes usual office conditions as well as navigating the physical environments where people receiving services work. The employee is rarely exposed to weather unless a supported person’s work environment involves such exposure. The role requires access to a safe vehicle for transporting people receiving services, subject to an agency-sponsored inspection. The Arc Southern Chesapeake is a drug-free, equal opportunity employer; employment offers are contingent on a successful background check.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or GED.
Two years of competitive employment.
Clear and concise oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of formal and informal community supports available to help people identify and access services.
Proficiency with computer software such as Excel, Word, and Access.
Understanding of and willingness to participate in a team environment.
Ability and willingness to learn and apply crisis-management techniques.
Ability to analyze information and reach appropriate resolutions.
Ability to collaborate with employees, employers, and community members.
Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and access to a safe vehicle for transporting people receiving services; the vehicle must pass an agency-sponsored inspection.
Ability to pass the criminal background check mandated by the State of Maryland.
Understanding of the importance of natural supports in service delivery and using them to achieve desired outcomes.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including occasional standing, walking, prolonged sitting, handling objects or controls, reaching, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, hearing, tasting, or smelling; occasional lifting or moving of up to 50 pounds; and required close and distance vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
Ability to navigate the physical environments where people receiving services work.

Responsibilities

Provide onsite instruction, support, encouragement, and job training to people with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
Support individuals in meeting employment goals by teaching skills, providing support, and building on their strengths and capabilities.
Help individuals develop friendships and other relationships in employment, volunteer, and recreational settings.
Encourage natural support systems and maintain positive contact with employers, family members, and other important people in individuals’ lives.
Share information professionally on behalf of supported individuals with community, business, civic organizations, and service providers.
Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and agency, federal, and Maryland guidelines.
Develop task analyses and assist employment, recreational, volunteer, and apprenticeship sites in developing adaptive methods as needed.
Provide or assist with personal care as necessary and assist with or dispense medication or other prescribed treatments when certified and as needed.
Help develop relationships with prospective employers and identify community-support needs and connections.
Support individuals in planning, making informed choices, meeting responsibilities, and speaking on their own behalf.
Communicate sensitively and effectively, adapting to individuals’ communication styles and explaining terminology to support understanding.
Maintain collaborative professional relationships, follow ethical standards including confidentiality and informed consent, and help implement individualized plans.
Assist or represent individuals when barriers affect their support needs, and educate employers and community members when relevant.
Identify, evaluate, and defuse crisis situations; contact necessary supports; monitor and discuss incidents; adjust supports and environments; follow reporting requirements; and implement behavior plans as indicated.
Maintain accurate and timely records while observing confidentiality and ethical-practice standards.
Follow agency guidelines and incorporate sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues in daily work.
Attend, complete, and pass required initial and ongoing training; attend team meetings; contribute to program evaluations; and uphold agency core values.
Complete other assigned tasks and demonstrate appropriate role-model behavior.
Work a varied schedule in the tri-county area as assigned and transport people receiving services using a safe vehicle that passes agency inspection.