Direct Support Professional - DSP 1

About the role

Located at the Linden Boulevard IRA in Brooklyn, this full‑time position supports individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in a therapeutic residential setting.

Responsibilities

• Assists individuals in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities, upholding personal rights, displaying patience and tolerance while providing emotional support and building positive relationships.
• Supports people to meet personal goals that characterize quality of life, engages in respectful communication using person‑first language, encourages socializing and facilitates activities that provide social capital and community connections.
• Responsible for overall supervision, protection, and care of individuals at all times, maintaining program guidelines for protection, facilitating fire safety training, and identifying/escalating signs of potential harm to self or others.
• Ensures health, wellness and safety by providing appropriate supervision and managing crisis situations per policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Provides support in various settings per individualized service and behavior support plans, utilizing support skills for varying levels of need and demonstrating OPWDD Core Competencies.
• Ensures implementation of person‑centered, individualized plans following supervision levels and safeguards (IPOPs, BSPs, Staff Action/Life Plans), understanding intentions and goals.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and organized therapeutic environment.
• Utilizes safe and appropriate handling procedures and implements infection control protocols.
• Assists with personal care and ADLs (bathing, dressing, toileting, laundry, housekeeping) including intimate care and hygiene.
• Ensures medication is administered as prescribed per applicable guidelines.
• Teaches/develops skills and supports person‑centered advocacy.
• Assists in communication, self‑expression, and resolving disputes among individuals.
• Facilitates ethical decision making.
• Provides supervision for and/or plans and prepares balanced meals and snacks per dietary restrictions, including modified diets or liquid consistencies.
• Transports and escorts individuals on recreational activities, medical appointments, home visits, volunteer/employment sites, etc.
• Assists with purchases and safeguards personal