Direct Support Assistant

Duties

Office for People With Developmental Disabilities prioritizes the health and safety of the statewide 128,000 individuals with developmental disabilities. As a Direct Support Assistant, you would:

• Provide supports and services.
• 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 care plans and to record care plans.
• Administer medication in accordance with special instructions.

Requirements

• You must have a high school diploma or an equivalency, such as a GED or a Direct Support Professional (DSP) Certificate from an accredited public or private organization.
• You must have a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State and be able to maintain a valid driver's license throughout your employment as a DSA.
• You must meet physical and agility standards.

Qualifications

• This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).
• If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
• Paid Holidays and Leave: thirteen (13) paid holidays each year, thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially, five (5) days paid personal leave each year, thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year, up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
• Health Care Coverage: employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
• Paid Parental Leave: Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• Retail Program: Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
• Professional Development and Education and Training: NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Retirement Program: The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS)
• Professional Development and Education and Training: Training programs and tuition assistance
• Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP): Professional training opportunities

Pay

Starting salary for this title reflects the increased hiring salary and geographic pay differential. Posted Hiring Salary includes the sum of the 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).

Schedule

Not specified.

Skills

Not specified.

Agency Information

AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for

Occupational CategoryHealth Care, Human/Social Services

Bargaining UnitISU - Institutional Services Unit (CSEA)

Salary RangeFrom $52225 to $56413 Annually

Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalency, valid driver's license, physical and agility standards.

Additional Comments: Title is part of NY HELPS program, preference for OPWDD employees impacted by closures, loan forgiveness available for PSLF, employees must maintain eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, professional development and education opportunities available.