Direct Support Professional (Part-time)

Summary Objective

Make a Difference in Your Community: Person County Government is seeking a compassionate, motivated, and dependable part-time Direct Support Professional to join our team at Person Industries, a community rehabilitation program dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities reach their full potential through vocational and personal development. Employees receive on-the-job work experiences through Person Industries' onsite and community employment work groups. Person Industries operates the Person County Recycling Center, as well as employs people in work groups in several local industries through production, housekeeping and confidential shredding contracts.

As a Direct Support Professional, you will play a vital role in providing hands-on support and instruction to adults with disabilities in a structured work environment or out in the community. This is more than a job – it's an opportunity to positively impact lives every day by fostering independence, personal growth, and job readiness among our participants.

This position operates under general supervision, allowing you the independence to make decisions and creatively tailor your approach to each individual's needs. Whether you're guiding a consumer through a job task or supporting them in a community setting, you'll have the chance to build meaningful relationships and help shape brighter futures.

The starting salary will be determined with consideration given to both the candidate's educational background and relevant work experience.

Must possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record per County policy.

This is a non-exempt position. Part-time employees cannot work more than 1000 hours per calendar year.

Essential Functions

• Provides instruction and support in completing job, leisure and personal care tasks that enable individuals to be as independent as possible.
• Orients and trains consumers in tasks in small groups and one-on-one instruction; provides repetitive instruction as necessary.
• Observes, coaches and encourages consumers through accomplishment of tasks; ensures quality, productivity and meeting of established deadlines, if applicable.
• Provides support and instruction in various areas to instruct consumers, including behavioral, communication, safety, problem-solving; implements behavior plans and non-violent physical crisis intervention as needed.
• Provides physical care to consumers as needed, both as instruction and to assure the consumer's health and cleanliness.
• Documents consumer activities, concerns and progress toward goals, including completing timesheets, progress notes, billing, behavior intervention, incidents and behavior management.
• Advocates for consumers; discusses activities with family members, caretakers and other counselors.
• Provides first aid, and physical behavioral interventions when needed.
• In the field - transport consumer(s) to and between sites; assists with tasks while supporting the consumer's independence: In the facility: make plans for community interest by addressing barriers, coordinating finances and transportation for activities to ensure participation.
• Attends training and meetings to maintain core competencies and skills.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
• One (1) year of experience working with persons with disabilities; or
• an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Ability to maintain core competencies as outlined by the department.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history.

Pre-Employment Screening

Person County conducts pre-employment screening on candidates. Job offers are conditional pending the following:

• A pre-employment drug screen for all candidates. Positions designated by Person County as Safety Sensitive are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• A background check for all candidates. Some positions also require a credit check.
• Additional screening and testing required for some positions.
• Within 3 days of the start of your employment with the County, you must be able to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the US.

Person County Government is an Equal Opportunity/E-Verify Employer