Direct Support Professional - Full Time Weekends

Chileda; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 19,800 - 24,200; Full time

Job summary

Chileda is looking for dedicated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to work with students with cognitive and behavioral challenges. The role involves teaching essential life skills, including social and communication skills, through a trauma-informed approach.

Full-time shifts are available over weekends, starting at $22/hr. Ideal candidates should possess a high school diploma, be at least 18 years old, and ideally have experience with individuals with developmental disabilities. Join Chileda in enriching the lives of special needs children and young adults.

Qualifications

• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Use a Trauma‑Informed Approach and communicate positively.
• Encourage individuality and self‑expression in students.
• Record students' behavior data and complete necessary forms.

Skills

Behavioral skills and judgment

Crisis management techniques

Communicative skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Chileda's mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with cognitive and behavior challenges. Chileda's goal is to help students increase their appropriate social behaviors and develop independent living skills, through an enriched learning environment and individualized behavior programming. Chileda's population includes children and young adults with special needs including Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Attachment Challenges, related developmental delays, and intensive behavioral needs.

Summary

DSPs work directly with our students to teach important life skills including educational, leisure, activities of daily living (ADLs), social and communication skills, and verbal and physical behavior intervention. DSP's modification procedures as outlined in the Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBPS) and work on Treatment Plan and IEP goals with the student using Therapeutic Care.

HOURS

We have two different shifts available for weekends. These options are full-time with a starting pay of $22/hr. The two shifts include:

• Friday - Sunday from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm
• Friday from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 8:00 am to 10:30 pm

Required Education & Experience

• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must demonstrate behavioral skills and judgment conducive to role‑modeling appropriate skills for students.
• Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities is preferred.

Job Duties

• Use a Trauma‑Informed Approach by communicating with and about students in a respectful, positive, and age‑appropriate manner while consistently using a therapeutic tone even in high‑stress situations.
• Encourage individuality of students by allowing self‑expression and opportunities to make choices throughout their day.
• Before the end of assigned shift the following must be completed: record behavior data, goals and communication logs of all assigned students, and complete Emergency Intervention Forms (EIFs), Incident Reports (IRs), or Employee Accident Reports.
• Communicate with house/classroom leads when there is an incident or emergency intervention.
• Participate in debriefing, and check out with house lead or classroom prior to leaving before your shift, ensuring all chores, data, and forms are completed.
• Review expectations with students prior to transitions, activities, or events.
• Help students to understand their rights by offering opportunities for self‑advocacy.
• Use crisis management techniques taught in trainings including verbal de‑escalation, creative redirection, topic changes, and allowing space and time for processing during a crisis.