Direct Support Professional (Part-Time Community Mentor) - Syracuse, NY

Advocates Incorporated; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 27,000 - 47,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Health, dental, vision insurance

401k with up to 2% match

Life and disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Advocates Incorporated in Syracuse, NY is seeking a dedicated Mentor (DSP/1:1 support staff) to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week. You will assist a person with day-to-day tasks, hobbies, and independence, providing compassionate one-on-one support in a community setting.

The role emphasizes effective communication, patience, flexibility, and careful documentation of daily activities and progress. Prior caregiving experience is a plus, with opportunities to grow within a leading human

Qualifications

• Effective communication and leadership skills are required.
• Patience, flexibility, punctuality, and strong organizational skills are essential.
• Attention to detail for logging time, mileage, and service documentation.
• Previous caregiving or related field experience encouraged but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist individuals with day-to-day tasks, hobbies, and community activities.
• Support development of independent living skills and social interactions.
• Assist with cooking, nutrition, and recreational activities.
• Log daily activities, progress, and documentation accurately.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Patience

Time management

Flexibility

Organizational skills

Education

GED or High School Diploma

Job description

Looking for a meaningful way to earn extra income while making a real impact? Whether you have limited availability or are simply looking for rewarding, flexible work, this could be the perfect fit!Advocates serves gifted people of all ages with developmental disabilities, who are looking to work one-on-one with a creative and compassionate Mentor (DSP/1:1 support staff). In this critical role, the mentor assists a person with their day-to-day tasks, hobbies, and interests, and is there to support the person in building and achieving independence. Though each person is unique, common mentor responsibilities include helping to implement key independent living skills, teaching skills to communicate and interact with others, assisting in experiencing social, recreational, and physical fitness opportunities in the community, teaching skills to cook and bake, and much more.The ideal candidate for the DSP position will have effective communication and leadership skills, patience, flexibility, punctuality, and strong organizational skills. Previous experience (either of a personal or professional nature) with people with disabilities is a plus but is not required. Candidates with experience or education in caregiving, human services, special education, CNA work, psychology, social work, education, behavioral health, or related fields are strongly encouraged to apply.Candidate must possess a keen sense of attention to detail, especially when electronically logging each day's time, mileage, and service documentation. DSP must have a valid email address.Hours and days of workPart-time positions (up to a total of 20 hours per week) are available. Shifts vary throughout the week, but typically fall between the hours of 9am-8pm.Pay rate: $19.30-$34.00 per hour when providing direct support. The hourly rate for indirect/training is $16.00 per hour. The pay rate typically correlates to the level of support an individual requires.Location: Syracuse, NY area and surrounding areasIn addition to the hourly wage, Advocates provides the following benefits to its part-time employees:Mileage (reimbursed at the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate when providing transportation to the individual)Life and Long-Term Disability insurance at no cost to the employeeHealth, dental, vision, and supplemental life insuranceEmployee Assistance Program401k with up to a 2% matchAdvocates is a leading human services organization with over 1,400 dedicated employees serving people throughout Central New York. Advocates is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Requisition ID: 53585Must be 18 years of age.Must have a valid email address.Must possess a valid driver’s license and auto insurance if required for the job assigned.Must demonstrate sound decision-making skills.Must demonstrate understanding for the Agency mission. People working in this position must believe in the philosophy of person-centered services, self-advocacy, and the right and ability of people we serve to self-direct their supports and services.Must demonstrate patience and compassion.Must have the ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and have the ability to write correspondence.Must have basic reasoning skills including the ability to analyze and problem solve.Must be able to tolerate a moderate noise level in the work environment and must be able to handle distractions.Ability to handle physical aspects of the job, including sitting, standing, using hands to reach, walk, push, or lift up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Background checks requiredEducation & Experience: GED or High School Diploma preferred. Applicable job experience preferred.Desired Skills and Abilities: previous experience working 1:1 in a related service environment preferred. Knowledge of disability related issues preferred.Other: The individual does not have the authority to set the staff salary in this model. The Mentor is paid at the provider’s rate for the service based on an assessment of the specific support needs of the individual in the areas of behavioral support, communication support, and physical support needs.