Direct Support Professional - Employment

Objective/Purpose

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides direct support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder in both community settings and employment settings. The DSP helps individuals build skills for increased independence, meaningful community involvement, successful workplace integration, and overall personal growth. This includes providing transportation to and from community activities and to and from the individual’s place of employment.

Major Responsibilities

• Facilitate individuals’ inclusion in the community and workplace by developing meaningful community-based activities and supporting individuals at their obs.
• Provide transportation to and from community activities and transport individuals to and from their place of employment, using a privately owned or agency vehicle.
• Provide on-site employment support, which may include job-coaching, modeling appropriate work behaviors, assisting with task learning, and promoting independence on the job.
• Support quality programming in all settings, including community locations and employment sites.
• Encourage positive relationships with community members, coworkers, and supervisors at places of employment.
• Aid in developing and implementing both community and employment support goals.
• Promote choice-making, skill development, and positive social interactions in community and work environments.
• Serve as a positive role model for individuals in all settings.
• Provide personal care assistance, as needed.
• Teach and support increased skill-building using appropriate instructional methods.
• Maintain safety of individuals across all environments, including workplaces.
• Follow established schedules created by the Administrator and Coordinators, including community outings and work shifts.
• Make informed, person-centered decisions to support high-quality services and individual needs.
• Advocate for individuals across all settings, including places of employment.
• Use each individual’s primary mode of communication (e.g., spoken language, sign language, interpreter, facilitated communication) and respond to their unique communication style.
• Follow all support plans and Developmental Services (DS) policies.
• Attend all required trainings.

Record Keeping

• Collect data required by each individual’s Individual Support Agreement (ISA), including community and employment goals.
• Complete all DS and agency documentation accurately and on time, such as timesheets, progress notes, monthly summaries, and expense vouchers.
• Develop task analyses or job assessment forms as needed to support growth, independence, and measurable job-related performance.

Networking & Collaboration

• Share necessary information with staff, employers, coworkers, professionals, and family members as appropriate.
• Serve as an advocate and/or liaison on behalf of the individual, the Developmental Services Division, and UCS.
• Participate as a member of the individual’s support team and the broader DS/UCS teams.
• Encourage and maintain positive relationships with community partners, employers, and other workplace contacts.
• Attend treatment plan or employment support meetings as requested.
• Promote ongoing communication among all team members to support success in both community life and employment.

Requirements

• DSP Qualifications: High School Diploma or equivalent. Direct Service experience preferred. Experience with individuals with intellectual disabilities preferred.
• Skills: Proficiency in using Microsoft Outlook for internal e-mail communication. Valid Driver’s License. Reliable transportation to transport clients on occasion.