Direct Support Professional (Chicago Heights) - Community Day Services

Who We Are

At Sertoma Star Services, we're dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness to reach their goals and lead fulfilling lives. With a presence in South Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we serve over 2,000 consumers through a variety of programs including vocational, educational, therapeutic, and residential services. Our mission is to transform lives through comprehensive services, choices, and opportunities.

Your Role

Direct Support Professionals play a crucial role in Sertoma’s Community Day Services by providing hands-on support, encouragement, and training. You'll work closely with consumers to build skills, foster independence, and create opportunities for meaningful participation in daily life and the broader community.

Responsibilities

• Communicates well with consumers, using their preferred form of communication, to determine their likes, interests, strengths, wants, and needs.
• Treats consumers with dignity and respect, while providing them with the support needed to become as independent as possible.
• Provides support to consumers to obtain outcomes that will allow them to live their best lives as documented in their Personal Plan/Implementation Strategy.
• Provides training and assistance to consumers by completing tasks with the consumer, instead of for the consumer.
• Supports consumers to achieve personal success utilizing information from their Personal Plan/Implementation Strategy.
• Advocates for consumers' wants and needs and helps them advocate for themselves, as requested.
• Encourages consumers to participate fully in their community and promotes community inclusion by assisting them in developing natural supports.
• Affirms consumers' ability to make choices throughout their daily life by providing opportunities and education to learn problem-solving skills and take responsibility for their choices.
• Assesses and plans for risks to allow consumers to make informed choices when taking risks to participate in new experiences.
• Protects the rights of consumers by understanding their rights, educating them on their rights, and ensuring their rights are not violated.
• Documents all supports provided in a timely manner to include, but not limited to, daily progress notes, incident reports, injury/illness reports, daily attendance, etc., utilizing the Human Services Management System (HSMS).
• Works cooperatively with all staff, outside providers, and family members/guardians to ensure high-quality services.
• Fulfills all agency Policies and Procedures.
• Transports consumers to and from CDS programs and community-based activities.
• Supports consumers working on the production line to become proficient in learning various job skills.

Qualifications

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective teamwork and interpersonal skills with coworkers and consumers.
• Knowledge of working with individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to work independently and complete assignments according to instructions and established routines.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and meet agency driving requirements when required to provide transportation.
• Obtain Pace certification within 3 months of hire; Maintain while working in the CDS program.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off.
• 13 Paid holidays.
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans.
• Employer-paid insurance: Basic Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Tuition assistance.
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.