Direct Support Professional

Community Connections Program Direct Support Professional

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 able to work at least three days per week? 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. Direct Support Professionals who work in the Community Connections program are part of a team that works with people with a multitude of interests and with varying support needs.

Shifts typically take place on weekdays during the day. 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:

• 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 casenotes through an electronic health record system. This position 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.

To Apply: Job Path seriously reviews all application materials. Please submit your resume and thoughtful questionnaire responses via our jobs board: