Direct Support Professional

Looking to Make a Difference? Work at the #1 Nonprofit on Long Island , as awarded by Long Island Business News.

The Nicholas Center is an innovative organization offering meaningful opportunities within an exciting, supportive workplace environment.

We are currently looking to add to our dynamic team of Direct Support Professionals who are committed to helping individuals with Autism lead full and productive lives in the community.

For more about what makes The Nicholas Center a great place to work, visit our website at:

Schedule for Direct Support Professional: Monday - Friday 9:15AM - 3:15PM, with the option to work additional hours if needed. No weekends!

Benefits for Direct Support Professional:

• Medical insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid Time Off and federal holidays
• Paid family leave
• Short/long term disability
• Employee assistance program
• Online training and professional development
• Bonuses for exemplary annual performance

Position Overview For Direct Support Professional: To support a diverse and talented group of individuals with Autism and similar intellectual and developmental disabilities, by helping them achieve their social, communication, and vocational goals within the community.

Essential Job Duties for Direct Support Professional:

• Supervises and supports individuals with Autism in having productive & meaningful experiences in their work setting.
• Assists participants in reaching vocational goals by teaching and supporting them in following workplace protocols, appropriate interactions with peers and supervisors, self-advocacy, and job acquisition and retention.
• Accurately document service documentation, daily notes and other information as required.
• Prevent, recognize, and report abuse toward the people we support.
• Promote and support community involvement.
• Complete all required training and maintain confidentiality.

Job Qualifications for Direct Support Professional:

• 18 years of age or older
• High School completion is required.
• Experience in a related field is beneficial, but not required.
• Must be able to bend and lift items 30 lbs or less.
• Must be able to multi-task and stand for the majority of the day.
• Clean and valid driver’s license and no infractions that preclude a person from working with members of a vulnerable population.

The Nicholas Center (TNC) was founded in 2011 by 3 Co-Founders – Stella L. Spanakos, Nicole Ferrara and Patrick Bardsley. Collectively, with over 30 years of experience in Autism education and nonprofit endeavors, the trio were eager to develop solutions to address the challenge of offering programming and jobs for the tsunami of Autistic individuals once school finishes. Considering the lack of meaningful opportunities for young adults after graduation, the vision became to create a community-propelled program model to serve as an alternative to traditional \day habilitation\ – a person-centered and community-fueled program.
With the untimely passing of Stella's husband, Paul Kitsos, conversations turned to action and the idea began to take shape for \The Nicholas Center for Autism\ and a social enterprise called \Spectrum Designs\. Stella purchased a second hand DTG (direct-to-garment) printing machine for her son Nicholas and his classmates, all on the Autism Spectrum, to test out. Using easy-to-follow steps in Stella’s backyard barn, they were soon printing t-shirts! With a bit of divine inspiration, the trio decided to give the idea a try and The Nicholas Center & Spectrum Designs Foundation were born.
Today, The Nicholas Center offers 12 months of continuous service per year in 2 NY State locations (having expanded to Westchester in 2021). As a person-centered program focused on using the community “as university,” TNC partners with over 35 non-profits offering meaningful community projects and offers a Supported Employment Program (SEMP), supporting participants at internships and paid jobs. Additionally, TNC provides a safe space for individuals to foster peer connections.