Careers & Internships

The DSP position is the heart and soul of our organization. DSP’s help people live, learn, work and play in their communities. DSP’s are responsible for embodying the organization’s mission, vision, and philosophy and represent our organization in the community. The DSP reports directly to the Director of Operations.

DSP duties may take place in the home, in the community, virtually, or the job site. As many activities take place in the community, DSP’s often provide Non-Medical Transportation (NMT), along with their DSP duties. The company provides DayHab van(s) to transport clients but other services (HPC, VocHab, etc.) would require the use of your personal vehicle (reimbursed).

Residential — Supporting individuals where they live DSP responsibilities may include:

• Supporting individuals to live as independently as possible;

• Helping to ensure individuals are healthy and safe at home;

• Supporting individuals in their daily life activities such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, and bathing;

• Assist individuals with money management, transportation, and finding and accessing community activities

Day support — Supporting individuals during the day DSP responsibilities may include:

• Take individuals into the community for volunteer and recreational activities;

• Teach independence skills and how to be safe in the community;

• Assist individuals to try new things and be more involved in the activities and hobbies of their choice;

• Support individuals in forming relationships with others in the community

Employment — Helping individuals find and keep a job DSP responsibilities may include:

• Assisting individuals in identifying their talents, interests, goals, and abilities, and support them to find a job;

• Work with local businesses to connect potential employers with potential employees with disabilities;

• Provide on-site training and coaching to assist individuals at their jobs

Virtual – Helping individuals remotely using technology to connect

DSP responsibilities may include:

• Remote/virtual support can be provided 1:1 or with a group

• monitor and respond to a person’s health, safety, and other needs using live communication

• Supporting individuals in their daily life activities such as cooking, cleaning, dressing, and bathing;

• Assist individuals with money management, transportation, and finding and accessing community activities

• Assist individuals to try new things and be more involved in the activities and hobbies of their choice;

• Support individuals in forming relationships with others in the community

• Engage in life-enriching activities and games and build social connections

Other Direct Support Professional Job Responsibilities may include:

• Provides direct care to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Performs personal care tasks, including assistance with basic personal hygiene and grooming, feeding, and ambulation, medical monitoring, and health care related tasks.

• Fosters positive relationships between caretakers and individuals served.

• Ensures client safety and maintaining a safe environment.

• Reminds and assists clients with self-administration of medications (with proper training).

• Encourages self-help activities.

• Reports changes in client’s condition or family situation to administrators and supervisors.

• Documents services provided.

• Performs home management functions such as light housekeeping, laundry, bed making, and cleaning.

• Plans meals, shopping for groceries, preparing and serving food/meals, feeding and clean-up.

• Accompanies clients to scheduled appointments and transports clients or running errands for clients.

• Assists with toileting, including bedpans, urinals, and commode chairs as necessary.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• 16 years of age or older, HS graduates must provide diploma or GED

• A love of nature, animals, and the outdoors

• A compassion for individuals with differing abilities

• Valid Driver’s License, reliable transportation, and the ability to be punctual

• A clean Driver’s abstract

• An eagerness to learn and a willingness to be a team player, flexibility

• Ability to work in a group home, home-like settings, or in the community

• Ability to work in a farm setting and with animals & plants in all weather situations

• Communication skills (verbally and written) with all levels of personnel, internal and external to the company

• The ability to use a computer for documentation, timekeeping, etc.

• Ability to handle physical aspects of job, including bending, stooping, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, and walking for periods of time

• The ability to pass a background check