Direct Support Professional - Community Connections

The ARC of The Ozarks Inc; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The ARC of The Ozarks Inc in Missouri is seeking Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to join our Community Connections team. This entry-level role supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community settings, helping with daily living, life skills, and community participation.

We offer both full-time and part-time opportunities across Christian, Greene, and Webster counties, with travel throughout the region and safe transport of individuals to various locations.

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years old with a HS diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and insured driver status; ability to obtain Missouri Class E license.
• Must complete CPR/First Aid training.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and training in daily living skills (hygiene, cooking, shopping, cleaning).
• Help individuals develop money management, shopping, relationships, volunteering, and leisure skills.
• Support participation in meaningful community activities.
• Implement outcomes from individual personal plans and document progress.
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate documentation; participate in team meetings.

Skills

Independent work

Communication skills

CPR/First Aid

Safety & transport

Documentation

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Direct Support Professional – Community ConnectionsDepartment: Community ConnectionsPosition Type: Full-Time and Part-Time Positions AvailableLocation: Various locations throughout Christian, Greene, and Webster CountiesPosition SummaryThe Arc of the Ozarks is seeking Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to join our Community Connections team. This is an entry-level human services position providing support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community settings.DSPs help individuals build independence, reach their personal goals, develop life skills, and become active members of their communities. This position includes supporting individuals with daily living activities, community activities, shopping, cooking, money management, relationships, volunteering, and leisure activities.Full-Time & Part-Time OpportunitiesWe currently have both full-time and part-time positions available. Hours and assignments may vary based on the needs of the individuals and teams.Applicants must be willing and able to travel throughout Christian, Greene, and Webster Counties. Community Connections employees may work at various community locations and must be comfortable safely transporting individuals to different locations throughout the service area.What You'll DoProvide support and training with daily living skills, including hygiene, cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, and other activities of daily living.Help individuals develop money management, shopping, relationship-building, volunteering, and leisure skills.Support individuals in participating in meaningful activities within their communities.Implement strategies and outcomes outlined in individual personal plans.Encourage independence, community involvement, and personal growth.Maintain confidentiality and accurate documentation.Participate in team meetings and work closely with supervisors and other members of the individual's support team.What We're Looking ForThe ideal candidate is someone who is passionate about working with individuals with disabilities and helping them become more independent and involved in their communities.Candidates must be able to:Work independently in a one-on-six community setting.Exercise good judgment and discretion.Communicate effectively.Work flexible and varied hours.Respect and advocate for individuals with disabilities.Accurately document information and observations.Stand, stoop, lift up to 50 pounds, and push/pull items.Safely transport individuals to various community locations.Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality.Pass CPR and First Aid training.Minimum QualificationsMust be at least 18 years old.High school diploma or equivalent required.Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is preferred.Must have a valid driver's license and be an insured driver, with the ability to obtain a Missouri Class E driver's license.Required training will include CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration, MANDT, OSHA Health and Safety, Abuse & Neglect, Electronic Documentation, and other department-specific training as required.Why Join Community Connections?This is an opportunity to make a direct impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities while helping them build independence, develop meaningful skills, and become active members of their communities.If you are dependable, compassionate, flexible, and passionate about helping others, we would love to hear from you!DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL – COMMUNITY CONNECTIONSThis is an entry level human services position providing desired support to persons with disabilities, in community settings, to help individuals lead more fulfilling lives. Employees will use positive support techniques to bring about meaningful and positive lives and to assist individuals in meeting their goals.These techniques will be used in structured situations and generalized into \"everyday\" situations such as mealtimes, life skills, hygiene, or community activities. This employee assists in the implementation of personal plans and establishes effective interpersonal relationships with each person served as well as community members.Individuals being supported may have some form of Intellectual Disability/Developmental Disability. These individuals may be prone to poor social & communication skills, impulsive behaviors, poor decision making, and verbal/physical aggression. Individual Support Plans target a broad range of skill deficit areas such as communication, self-determination, problem solving, self-care, and socialization.Close supervision and direction is received from the Community Support Coordinator and the Program Supervisor. This is a non-exempt, hourly position.Essential Job FunctionsMission and Core ValuesServes as an ambassador of the mission and purpose of The Arc of the OzarksKnowledge and understanding of The Arc mission statement and will uphold in their daily work.Supports The Arc knowing that any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks which could be included in the position.Care and Support of IndividualsProvides support and training to persons served in daily life skills such as personal hygiene, weekly cooking and grocery shopping, cleaning, and other activities of daily living.Takes appropriate action in case of a fire and/or disaster. Encourages the development and maintenance of a safe environment for persons served at SOAR. Developing plans for evacuation and training in securing emergency services such as the police, the fire department and ambulance.Provide training in basic money management, shopping skills, developing relationships, volunteering, leisure skill development.Maintains confidentiality of persons served.Documentation and Quality SupportsImplements outcomes and strategies of individual personal plans under the supervisor of the Community Support Coordinator and Program Supervisor; provides supports as identified in the personal plans.Actively participates in team meetings.Community InvolvementInitiates opportunities for community inclusion and access. Provides support to persons served in becoming active participants in their communities.Supports persons served in participating in varied meaningful vocational, domestic, and leisure activities in the community of their choosing.Required Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesAbility to work independently in one-on-six community setting.Ability to exercise good judgement and discretion.Ability to demonstrate appropriate role modeling skills through acceptable attire, speech, and interactions.Ability to work varied and flexible hours, accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc.Ability to work with and respect persons with disabilities, their families, and advocate for their rights.Ability to accurately report and record data and observations.Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.Ability to stand, stoop, lift up to 50 lbs, and pull and push items.Ability to pass with satisfactory performance CPR and First Aid.Ability to maintain a consistent record of punctuality and attendance.Ability to safely transport individuals supported to a variety of community locations.A licensed and insured driver, with ability to obtain a Missouri Class E driver licenseMinimum Experience and Training QualificationsBe a minimum of eighteen years of age and possession of a diploma from an accredited High School or the equivalent. Experience working with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.Successfully complete a course in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and First AidSuccessfully complete a 16 hours course in Medication Administration.Successfully complete a 10 course in MANDT System WorkshopSuccessfully complete a course in OSHA regulations on Health and Safety.Successfully complete a course in Abuse & NeglectSuccessfully complete a course in Electronic DocumentationOther trainings per department or per home location may be required, refer to policy 8.106 for specific requirements.Traits and Characteristics DesiredThe Direct Support Professional will be a person who is passionate about working with individuals with disabilities and increasing their independence as a valued member of the community. A sincere dedication to the mission and the people served by The Arc of the Ozarks is crucial.The Direct Support Professional must demonstrate the ability to establish rapport, effectively communicates, and cultivates a positive work culture with not only their team, but staff from other departments, guardians, individuals served, internal and external stakeholders.The Direct Support Professional should be open to feedback, possess a growth mindset, and a willingness for learning opportunities in order to better themselves and The Arc of the Ozarks.