Direct Support Professional: Vocational Day Program

Job Description

Job Description

We are hiring a dedicated and caring Direct Support Professional to join our Vocational Day Program team in Colmar, PA!  

In our vocational day program, direct support professionals support the program attendees with developing soft skills that will help them further develop their job skills and move towards competitive employment! Our quality-focused staff support individuals with intellectual disabilities in being active and valued members of the community by building skills, promoting wellbeing and personal growth in a supportive and collaborative environment.   

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:15AM-3:45PM

Functions of the Direct Support Professional 

• Provide reliable, consistent support to individuals in the day program. 

• Support individuals in their daily routines, including personal care and meals. 

• Follow individualized support, behavioral, and health plans to ensure each person’s safety, wellbeing, and personal goals. 

• Encourage independence, skill‑building, and participation in meaningful activities such as learning, recreation, volunteering, and community engagement. 

• Create a positive, respectful, and supportive environment that promotes dignity, self‑expression, and personal choice. 

• Assist with transportation to and from programs and community activities. 

• Work collaboratively with team members to meet individual needs. 

• Observe, document, and communicate important information about progress, behaviors, or incidents in a timely and accurate manner. 

• Communicate professionally with individuals, families, coworkers, and supervisors. 

• Represent the organization’s values through respectful conduct and ethical decision‑making. 

Requirements

The selected candidate must meet all qualifying and ongoing job criteria including background checks, physical examination, and a driving history record. 

Driving Requirements: 

• A valid US driver’s license for at least two years, not including time with permit. 

• No serious traffic convictions within the past three years. (Serious convictions include, but are not limited to, DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, or three or more traffic violations and/or at-fault accidents within that period). 

• Access to a reliable vehicle during work hours. Vehicle must have valid registration and inspection stickers. 

• Valid auto insurance. You will be asked to provide proof that you are a covered driver on the policy. 

Education: High school diploma or GED preferred. 

Certification: Certifications in First Aid, CPR, and Community Participation Supports for DSP within six months of hire will be paid for and provided by Access Services. 

Experience: One (1) year’s direct care experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:   

• Ability to teach basic daily living skills.  

• Ability and readiness to provide personal care as needed. 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, their families, peers, supports coordinators and the general public.  

• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting laws, rules and policies governing Access Services programs and services.  

• Ability to express ideas succinctly, both orally and in writing. 

• Ability to work independently and in group settings, and ability to adapt to different working environments, as assigned for the day. 

• Ability to maintain a cooperative and caring attitude with a view of seeing the needs of others as more important than one’s own needs.  

• Commitment to Individual Rights and individuality of the person being served. 

• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technologies including Outlook, the Company Intranet, time and attendance system, the electronic healthcare record, and more.  

• Ability to navigate network drives and basic hardware use and troubleshooting. 

Essential Working Conditions/Physical Demands:  

• Work is primarily performed in community settings, and/or day program environments supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The environment may involve exposure to varying noise levels, temperatures, and occasional unpredictable behaviors. 
• Must be able to remain attentive, responsive, and engaged throughout shifts. 
• Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, climb stairs, and assist individuals with mobility. 
• Must be able to lift, transfer, push, or pull individuals and objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without assistance. 
• Requires the ability to safely push and maneuver individuals in manual or power wheelchairs, including over uneven surfaces and up or down ramps. 
• Must be able to assist individuals in and out of vehicles and safely secure them in wheelchair vans, using appropriate adaptive equipment and safety restraints. 
• May be required to provide hands-on physical assistance with personal care, positioning, or daily living activities. 
• Requires sufficient visual and auditory acuity to monitor safety, communicate effectively, and respond promptly to needs or emergencies. 
• Must have reliable transportation and the ability to accompany or transport individuals to community activities. 
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required depending on specific activities or health and safety guidelines. 

Benefits

Schedule and Compensation:  

This full-time position starts at an hourly rate of $17 per hour, with increases based on education and experience.  

The work schedule is Monday-Friday 8:15AM-3:45PM (full-time shifts set at program location in Colmar, PA) 

What You’ll Gain at Access Services 

When you join our team, you’re not just getting a job, you’re stepping into a career with real support, growth, and impact. We offer a benefits package designed to meet you where you are in life. 

• Health & Security: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage, plus company-paid life insurance, disability protection and catastrophic sick leave. Access Services covers up to 88% of health premium with many employees paying less than $150/month. 
• Time to Recharge:  Full-time employees start their first year earning up to nearly 6 weeks of paid time off (20+ PTO days plus 9 paid holidays), with even more time added as you grow your career with us 
• Invest in Your Future: 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement program, and access to college tuition discounts 
• Built into the Job: Mileage & toll reimbursement 
•   Support Beyond Work:  Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free, confidential resources for you and your family, including:  
• Counseling and emotional support through in-person, telehealth and text therapy.
• Financial and legal guidance 
• Grow With Us: Paid training, ongoing professional development, and opportunities to learn and advance across diverse roles and programs. 

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.