Direct Support Professional - Specializing in Transitional Support

Job Path; New York (NY); On-site; USD 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

EAP

403b retirement plan with employer 1

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Pre-tax commuter and medical FSA

Job summary

Job Path in New York City seeks a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to provide one-on-one supports in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx, with flexible shifts that fit into your schedule and a mission-driven environment.

You will work with participants who are new to JobPath as they transition into our day hab program, helping them engage in sports, arts, computers and other interests across the city.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; English communication skills essential.
• Prior experience in supportive roles is a plus but not required.
• Basic computer skills including email, timesheets, and EHR usage are expected.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one supports to connect participants to their communities.
• Develop connections with family and community organizations.
• Assist with volunteer jobs, classes, social events, and other activities.
• Help participants meet personal and professional goals.
• Support participants in social situations and decision making.

Skills

People-oriented

English proficiency

Computer basics

Flexibility

Team player

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Electronic health record (EHR) system

Job description

Do you value working for an organization that is truly driven by its mission? Are you excited at the prospect of being able to be a positive presence in a person’s life? Does exploring different corners of New York City to find interesting things to do and forming meaningful relationships sound like a dream job? Are you looking for FLEXIBLE work that can fit into your schedule? If your answer is yes to the above, then you are in the right place!

Job Path supports autistic people and people with developmental disabilities as they make choices about their lives and play valued roles in their communities. We are seeking energetic, responsible, and creative people to provide one-on-one support in various community settings in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx.

The mission of the Community Connections program at Job Path is to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are visible in society and are recognized as equal citizens. We work one-on-one with people using a true person centered approach in order to foster relationships between people and their communities.

We are looking for DSPs to work with participants who are new to JobPath as they are coming in through our transitional programs.

Our cohort changes and we support people all throughout the city but at the moment we have participants located in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Our current cohort has participants who are interested in sports and fitness, creative arts (animation, digital arts, physical arts, etc.), computers, and performing arts (singing, acting, writing), among other interests. Our cohort has a range of personality and communication styles so we welcome anyone to apply but ideally we are looking for DSPs who are willing to help these participants adjust to our day hab program and build their programming.

Days and times will vary depending on but we can also supplement hours with other open shifts in the department. Typical shifts are 9am to 3pm or 10am to 4pm, though there is variability in schedules based on the needs of the people we support. If you are only interested in weekend or overnight support work, please visit our Residential Direct Support Professional listing.

Areas of responsibility include:

Direct Support

• Providing individualized supports to connect people to their communities and help them to become contributing community members
• Working with family and community members, develop connections to community organizations
• Providing assistance at volunteer jobs, classes, social events and other community activities
• Helping individuals meet their personal and professional goals
• Building self-esteem by doing things together, rather than doing for
• Providing opportunities for new experiences
• Encouraging individuals to make choices and decisions in all areas of their lives, and providing the opportunities to learn how to make decisions
• Supporting people in social situations to learn to feel comfortable and confident with others through appropriate interactions and build positive relationships
• Putting aside personal beliefs to ensure that the person you are supporting has the opportunity to have the life they want for themselves

Working in a team

• Ensuring communication with supervisor is clear, concise and honest
• Offering support, respect, and feedback to other team members
• Attending staff meetings and contributing professionally
• Sharing and contributing ideas, knowledge, questions

Health & Safety

• Being aware of and competent in dealing with medical needs eg. seizures, health concerns, allergies etc.
• Providing physical supports, such as pushing a wheelchair or helping a person to eat, in a dignifying and respectful matter

Documentation/Communication

• Completing case notes, monthly summary notes, and timesheets via online portals by assigned deadlines
• Following up with required documentation as detailed by your supervisor

In order to succeed in this position, applicants must be dynamic and flexible in order to go with the flow of people’s ever changing lives. Some of the people we support use wheelchairs or require other physical supports. In order to ensure that all people in the Community Connections program have an equal opportunity to have a full life, applicants must be open to providing physical supports if necessary.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED, written and spoken English. Prior experience a plus, but not essential. We are seeking candidates who enjoy active, “people-oriented” work and are sensitive to the needs and preferences of people with disabilities (this includes applicants who themselves are autistic or have disabilities). Must have basic computer skills, such as ability to respond to e-mails, submit electronic timesheets, and complete case notes through an electronic health record system. This position would be one-to-one through the Community Connections department.

Rate of Pay:

$19.69 per hour

Benefits:

Work/Life Assistance Program (EAP), ability to contribute to pre-tax commuter and medical FSA plans, 403b retirement plan with employer match after two years of employment

Health, dental, and enhanced short term disability insurance available to employees who average 28 hours of work per week after a six-month measurement period.

Whistleblower policy:

https://www.jobpathnyc.org/code-of-conduct/#whistleblower