DSP Instructor/Senior Companion

Anthesis is hiring for our Adult Development Program, a community program designed for seniors who use walkers or are in wheelchair users. Applicants must be willing to work full-time, use their own personal vehicle for transportation, and have the patience to attend to the needs of seniors, including toileting if necessary. Mileage is reimbursed at the IRS rate of $0.76 per mile.

About the Role

Instructors for the Adult Development Center (ADC) provide a caring environment that enhances the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through community integration, enrichment programs, and social activities. Senior Companions, working at our ‘Round About Senior Services program (RASS), support senior citizens (ages 50 and up) with intellectual and developmental disabilities by offering age-appropriate activities and daily socialization to help them enjoy retirement.

Instructor/Senior Companions guide adults in activities designed to promote vocational, social, physical, and intellectual growth.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all job duties align with and support the mission of Anthesis.
• Emphasize the development of independence using Person-Centered Thinking.
• Maintain and enhance participants' physical, social, and intellectual skills.
• Provide daily transportation for participants using a personal vehicle to various community locations.
• Train clients on the use of public transportation, including schedules, fees, and types of transportation available.
• Supervise participants at all times, both in the community and during on-site activities.
• Assist participants with activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility (including the use of canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and sit-to-stand equipment).
• Prepare and review daily/weekly activity plans with participants, allowing them to choose educational, community-oriented, fun, and social activities.
• Complete daily destination sheets before community outings and check out necessary materials (e.g., backpacks, first aid kits, emergency paperwork, participant funds, and progress notes).
• Coordinate activities and transportation needs for participants under the guidance of the Program Specialist(s).
• Obtain and/or prepare age-appropriate instructional materials under the guidance of the Program Specialist(s).
• Assist on-site participants with creative activities such as arts and crafts, cooking classes, and exercise classes.
• Maintain daily charting of participant progress in participant files.
• Provide safe transport and life skills training during lunch and break periods, including instruction on socially appropriate eating habits.
• Instruct, supervise, and enforce safety standards for participants as outlined in Anthesis’ safety guidelines.
• Promptly report injuries and other serious incidents involving participants to the Program Manager and Program Specialist(s).
• Safely operate personal and/or agency vehicles, promptly report accidents or vehicle code violations, and maintain a clean vehicle environment.
• Comply with Anthesis’ policies and procedures, including attendance, appearance/grooming, safety/security, and emergency procedures.
• Maintain CPR/First Aid certification.

Supportive Functions and Other Duties

• Assist the Program Manager/Specialist(s) in developing and implementing Individual Service Plans (ISPs) by documenting on the ‘One Page Profile’ to indicate what’s ‘important to’ and ‘important for’ each individual.
• Intervene in behavior management problems in compliance with ISPs.
• Address participants’ grievances or complaints in conjunction with the Program Specialist and Program Manager.
• Maintain all program areas in a safe and clean manner.
• Assist in compiling data for the program evaluation system.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum age of 18; high school diploma or GED required.
• Associate of Arts Degree in a related field desired.
• Prefer 1 year of experience delivering supported employment services or direct care services in a classroom, workplace, residential, medical, or daycare setting.
• Sufficient experience with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities to carry out the duties described may substitute for formal experience.
• Must meet licensing criteria set by DDS and/or CCL.
• Basic knowledge of and experience with internet and email.
• Proficient in MS Office 2010 or later, particularly Word, Excel, and Publisher.

Skills

• Ability to transport at least 3 clients in a personal vehicle.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with persons with disabilities, elderly individuals, families, representatives of residential facilities, and referring agency staff.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and write simple instructions, correspondence, and memos.
• Effective communication in one-on-one and small group settings with participants, employees, and other stakeholders.
• Clear and accurate record-keeping.
• Effective oral and written communication skills; a second language is desired but not required.
• Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and the ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages.
• Ability to solve practical problems and interpret instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external customers, demonstrating patience, tact, and diplomacy to resolve conflicts and collect accurate information.

Licenses or Certificates

• Personal vehicle with current and valid California driver’s license, at least 3 years of driving experience, and a good driving record acceptable to the organization’s insurance carrier.
• Must meet eligibility criteria for the State of California Community Care Licensing.
• CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Proof of personal vehicle insurance coverage and vehicle registration.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to walk, sit, talk, and hear.
• Regularly lift, move, push, or pull participants up to 25 pounds; occasionally up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently stand, use hands to handle objects or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Exposure to regulated indoor temperatures and outdoor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and humidity.
• Moderate noise levels in the work environment.

Schedule

• Full-time, Monday through Friday.
• Typical shifts (not guaranteed): 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM or 8:30 AM – 3:30/4:30 PM.

Pay

$23.50 – $24.00 per hour.