Life Skills & Employment Support Specialist

Valley Achievement Center; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; Full time

Job description

Job Summary

Direct Support Professional provide essential support and assistance to participants with developmental disabilities, ensuring their safety, well-being, integration into daily activities, adaptive functional skills, and/or developing employment-related skills, and community integration.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist persons served with daily living activities including personal hygiene, housekeeping, meal preparation, and social and community interaction.
• Implement Individual Service Plans (ISP) for each person served, focusing on employment-related, daily living, functional, social, recreational goals and/or other objectives set by the participant and organization.
• Assist participants with medication management by reviewing medication labels, explaining the purpose and timing of each medication, helping with the transfer of medications into containers, supporting the use of inhalers and liquid medications, and providing instruction on how to administer their own medication safely and effectively.
• Provide transportation to persons served for medical appointments, grocery shopping, social activities, employment-related tasks, etc. (e.g., job interviews, and work orientations) in a personal insured vehicle and/or company provided vehicle.
• Support participants in finding and participating in appropriate social and recreational activities, including those that enhance employment skills.
• Assist participants with budgeting, financial management, and other tasks related to employment and independent living.
• Facilitate pre-employment sessions or volunteering to enhance participants' work-related skills and abilities.
• Assist in training participants in employment related job responsibilities, employer requirements and expectations, effective and appropriate workplace communication and work ethics including but not limited to attendance and punctuality, personal hygiene and work attire.
• Demonstrate, model, and/or guide job tasks and responsibilities, as necessary, as permitted by the employer.
• Follow health and safety protocols to ensure participants' well-being at all times.
• Use approved methods of intervention and behavior modification techniques as per organizational training.
• Provide minimal toileting support as needed, including light assistance with personal hygiene and clothing adjustments to ensure client comfort and cleanliness.
• Maintain accurate records and submit required paperwork following organizational guidelines.
• Maintain participant confidentiality and uphold professional relationships with persons served, families, colleagues, and stakeholder.
• Participate in team meetings, training sessions, and community-based instruction activities as required.
• Adapt to changes in participants' needs, program requirements, and organizational procedures.
• Complete additional duties as assigned by supervisors.
• Ensure participant and employee safety and maintain close proximity at all times.
• Ability to exercise appropriate ABA techniques for client programming.
• Adheres to all VAC policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Exemplifies VAC’s Mission, Vision and Core Values.

Job Qualifications

• Prior experience working with individuals or persons with developmental disabilities, preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively (oral and written).
• Flexible and adaptive to participant, program, and organizational changes.
• Ability to work as a team, actively participate and collaborate with other team members.
• Knowledge of crisis management techniques preferred.
• Ability to maintain composure, be objective, demonstrate sound judgment and react effectively in challenging situations.
• Must be 21 years or older, have reliable transportation with proof of insurability and valid California Driver’s License.
• General working knowledge of standard computer programs.
• Exhibits a positive, solution oriented and motivating demeanor at all times.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to implement goals and objectives.

Educational Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required (all programs).

Physical Requirements

• Lifting and carrying up to 60 lbs. without assistance.
• Frequent squatting, sitting, walking, standing, bending and twisting, kneeling, crawling, climbing.
• Occasional running, pushing and pulling, reaching above and below shoulder level.
• Regular exposure to excessive noise levels.
• Walking and running on uneven surfaces.
• Regular exposure to outside elements, including excessive heat, direct sunlight, cold, wind or rain.

Certificates

• Valid California Driver’s License and evidence of insurability.
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred.
• Completion of behavior modification or crisis management training upon hire.