Direct Support Assistant

OPWDD’s priority is the health and safety of the statewide 128,000 individuals with developmental disabilities receiving the agency’s support.

Responsibilities

• Provide supports and services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Advocate, encourage, guide, and teach individuals in expressing personal choice.
• Ensure community integration.
• Assist individuals with personal hygiene care, toileting, dining, dressing, meal preparation, lifts, and transfers.
• Help individuals participate in games and recreational programs.
• Coach and encourage individuals to develop daily living skills.
• Provide a clean, safe, and comfortable environment.
• Work with other staff to carry out and record care plans.
• Administer medication in accordance with special instructions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency (e.g., GED or Direct Support Professional (DSP) Certificate from an accredited public or private organization).
• Valid New York State driver’s license; must maintain it throughout employment.
• Must meet physical and agility standards.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). Eligible candidates may be appointed non-competitively without an exam but must meet minimum qualifications. Permanent non-competitive status will convert to permanent competitive status within one year.

Benefits

• Loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) for qualifying employees.
• Savings programs: U.S. Savings Bond and College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs: Health Care Spending Account and Dependent Care Advantage Account.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal support services.
• Life insurance and disability insurance.
• New York State Deferred Compensation Plan (voluntary retirement savings).
• Paid leave:
  • 13 paid holidays per year.
  • 13 days of paid vacation leave initially.
  • 5 days of paid personal leave per year.
  • 13 days of paid sick leave per year (may carry over).
  • Up to 3 days of professional leave per year for development events.
  • Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave per qualifying event (birth, adoption, or foster care placement).
• Health care coverage:
  • Affordable health insurance options for employees and eligible dependents.
  • Family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
• Retirement: Participation in the NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), a well-funded public retirement system.
• Professional development:
  • Training programs and tuition assistance for eligible employees.
  • Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) for continuing education credits.

Pay

Starting salary: $52,225 (includes statutory hiring rate for CSEA Grade 9 ($42,641), increased hiring salary ($5,584), and geographic pay differential ($4,000)). Geographic pay differential is added to the job rate ($52,413).