Direct Support Professional/ASL Specialist

Socket.dev; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California seeks a DSP/ASL Specialist to facilitate communication for participants using American Sign Language and support staff. The role emphasizes helping participants engage in chosen activities and integrate into the community.

Primary duties include ASL-based communication, activity planning, progress reporting, and teaching ASL to staff, with adherence to safety and program guidelines.

Qualifications

• Proven proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL).
• Experience teaching ASL to participants and staff.
• Ability to work with individuals with disabilities in a community setting.

Responsibilities

• Use sign language as the primary method of communication with participants and staff.
• Assist participants in daily activities to enhance community integration.
• Plan activities aligned with person-centered plans and IPP/PCP.
• Complete daily progress and incident reports within required timelines.
• Teach ASL to participants and staff and support safety protocols.

Skills

ASL Proficiency

ASL Teaching

Communication

Safety & Compliance

Interpersonal Skills

Education

High school diploma or BA with ASL experience

ASL experience with individuals with disabilities

Job description

Description

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 70 different programs/services at nearly 20 different locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping, and empowering vulnerable individuals, families, and communities toward self-sufficiency.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the DSP/ASL Specialist assist program participants to engage in activities of their choice that will enhance the quality of their life and assist them in acquiring skills that will help them to be more fully integrated into the community. As the DSP/ASL Specialist, the role is to facilitate communication with participants and staff by using sign language as method of communication and support both staff/participants by utilizing basic ASL. While the role holds dual responsibility, primary role will be to utilize ASL to support overall communication and understanding for staff and participants served.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Work with a range of individuals with disabilities.
• Use sign language as the primary method of communication in addition to supporting assigned participants.
• Assist participants in daily planned activities for integration in the community.
• Plan and create activities that are in alignment with person centered plans.
• Assist participants to meet individual goals and objectives as outline in their IPP reflecting PCP.
• Assist the participants in community-based activities.
• Implement daily scheduled program activities approved by participants or their representatives, and Director.
• Assist participants in activities during program hours.
• Complete participants’ daily progress reports.
• Complete incident reports within 24 hours of the happening the incident.
• Maintain a safe environment consistent for the participants and ensure that they are keeping social distancing, wears masks or face shields and frequently wash their hands.
• Report all incidents to administrative staff.
• Participate in meetings and training sessions.
• Teach participants/staff ASL.
• Pick-up/Drop off participants to and from their homes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Proficiency in American Sign Language and has ability to teach ASL to participants and staff.
• Ability to manage and deescalate participants needy/aggressive situations; Responds promptly to participants’ needs; Responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Communication, written, orally, to translate and communicate via sign language proficiently.
• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
• Ability to comply with Agency’s, federal, state policies and procedures.
• Ability to provide the following: valid California driver’s license, Department of Motor Vehicles print out of driving record (must be submitted by date of hire), proof of tuberculosis screening (within one year prior to employment or within seven days of hire), signed criminal record clearance statement (at time of employment), proof of Covid-19 vaccination (at time of employment).

• Diversity - Experience with and understanding of the needs of persons with developmental disabilities.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Observes safety protocols for LSSSC, City, County, and CDC in preventing the spread of COVID – 19 Virus.
• Reports potentially unsafe conditions to Director.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements written below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

A High school graduate with at least five years of experience with ASL and some experience with working with individuals with intellectual or and developmental disabilities or B.A. Degree with two years of experience utilizing ASL at proficient level plus some experience with working with DDS population or experience in taking care of family member with special needs or training.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATH SKILLS

Ability to add and subtract two digits numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

REASONING SKILLS

Ability to apply common sense understanding to conduct detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.