Direct Support Professional - Community Services

Job Description

Job Description

Direct Support Professional - Community Services

Bring your Heart to Coarc

At Coarc, we belong to a mission that expands abilities, one person at a time. Our work is both rewarding and challenging, and we support each other through a culture of belonging, respect, and shared purpose. When you join us, you will be making a difference in your community while being valued for your contributions.

Locations: Hudson, NY

Our Community Services program supports individuals with developmental disabilities in building meaningful lives through a variety of person-centered services. Staff may work across several programs-including Ability Link, Community Link, Community Habilitation (Comm Hab), and Day Habilitation Without Walls (Day Hab WOW)-to assist individuals in achieving greater independence, accessing community resources, developing life skills, and engaging in enriching social and volunteer activities. This role is ideal for compassionate, motivated individuals who are committed to inclusion, empowerment, and making a difference in the lives of others.

Pay Rate: $17.00 - $17.50 per hour based on program.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM or Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm depending on program.

"Our work isn't always easy, but it's worth it. At Coarc, you'll belong, contribute, and make a difference."

Ideal Candidates for This Role Might Be:

• Empathetic and patient individuals who genuinely care about supporting others and making a difference in their community.
• People who enjoy hands-on, meaningful work that involves building relationships and helping others achieve personal goals.
• Self-motivated team players who can work independently but also collaborate with others to provide the best support.
• Creative problem-solvers who are adaptable and comfortable supporting individuals in a variety of settings-from homes to community events.
• Students or recent graduates in human services, psychology, education, or related fields looking for direct experience.
• Career changers looking to move into more purpose-driven or people-focused work.
• People with personal experience-such as family members of people with disabilities-who bring compassion and insight to the role.

"Belonging is more than a word here – together, we support each other through rewarding, challenging work."

"If you've worked as a PCA (Patient Care Assistant), CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), or HHA (Home Health Aide), you'll find your skills highly valued in our Direct Support Professional (DSP) positions."

What You'll Do

As a Direct Support Professional, you'll:

• Assist individuals in making choices and decisions that enhance their independence.
• Support daily activities, including personal care, meal preparation, and household tasks.
• Encourage participation in community activities and social events.
• Provide emotional and physical support, fostering a safe and respectful environment.
• Document and communicate progress, ensuring person-centered care

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED (TASC) preferred.
• Exceptional communication and computer skills.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to be certified in all required trainings.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• One-year experience working with persons with disabilities (preferred).

Comprehensive Benefits : Health, dental, and vision coverage, plus 24/7 access to a doctor for you and your household.

Contact Us

For more information or to apply:

• Jamie Budai : View email address on ziprecruiter.com | View phone number on ziprecruiter.com

#HP

Visit our website to view current job openings and complete an online application: coarc.org

Equal Opportunity Employer

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB

Support the emotional, physical and personal well-being of the people assigned; encourage growth by recognizing their autonomy and being proactive with them in reducing their risk of harm; foster a spirit of partnership with each person and with their "Circle of Support" members; always affirm the human rights, civil rights and responsibilities of each person as well as justice, inclusion and full community participation; perform in a manner consistent with the NADSP Code of Ethics.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a shared relationship with the person that supports the unique personal desires and needs of each person supported; provide assistance to the person with decision-making, problem-solving and providing encouragement to become as much of a self-advocate as possible.
• Assist the person to know their own personal strengths and worth; assist the person in sharing those personal traits with others in a variety of community settings; support the person in making friends within their natural community settings.
• Work in a professional and ethical manner; establish a trusting relationship with the people supported by being reliable and on time when providing supports and/or activities based on the person's stated valued outcomes and goals; always work towards assisting the person to achieve maximum success by developing a mutually respectful relationship with the person and their "Circle of Supports".
• Support healthy living practices, inclusive of diet, exercise, stress reduction and emotional support, medical and dental health practices as needed or requested by the people supported.
• As needed, provide assistance based on the person's plan of care, including but not limited to assistance with hygiene, dressing, using the bathroom, and/or showering.
• Understand and report all instances of physical or emotional harm to the person by others in accordance with Agency policies and procedures relative to OPWDD Part 624 and 625 regulations; ensure the safety and well-being of the person immediately following any incidents of physical or emotional harm.
• Be familiar with all safety measures and procedures for on-site and off-site activities, including requirements for using kitchen equipment, use of bathrooms/public restrooms and use of vehicles; assist the person supported to learn basic responses to fire emergencies, environmental emergencies and medical emergencies; provide support to the person via their Behavior Plan or Monitoring Plan (as applicable).
• Assist the person supported in maintaining a comfortable, orderly and clean environment; support the person in enjoying life by teaching them to care for their surroundings, inclusive of cleaning activities, care for clothing and minor repairs (within the scope of each person's skills and abilities).
• Encourage and support the person to take part in volunteer, educational, recreational and work activities in their community.
• As needed, provide medication administration support to each person based on their skills and abilities as defined in their plan(s); comply with all Agency policies and procedures relative to the administration of medications to people supported.
• Participate in the development and review of each person's service planning meetings; know and understand the unique aspects of each person's plan(s); document all services delivered in the mode and manner prescribed by agency policies and procedures; advocate for changes on each person's behalf when necessary or requested by the person; participate in any other team meetings with or for the person necessary to ensure each person's needs and wants are being addressed and that each person is successfully supported towards meeting their stated outcomes/goals.
• Safely operate Agency vehicles per policy and per NYS Traffic Laws, and whenever transporting people supported.
• Attend all required trainings and maintain all required trainings per Agency policies and procedures; maintain all required certifications necessary for the people we support.
• May be required to work beyond scheduled hours when mandated to ensure adequate staff coverage.
• May be required to provide coverage for alternate people, and/or at another location, when requested by Management or Administrator on Duty.
• Required to attend staff meetings and trainings that may fall outside of regular schedule.