Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professional

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Supervisor of Adult Programs and Services, the Direct Support Professional provides direct support to adults with disabilities in employment and community settings. The Direct Support Professional assists individuals in developing, refining, and generalizing the skills needed for successful employment and community integration.

Support Staff Core

Essential Functions:

Primary duties and responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully fulfill the requirements of a position. Regular attendance and reliable on-site presence. Provide on-site employment support to assist the individual in performing their work duties. Provide accommodations and adaptations to work site in order to facilitate client independence. Apply effective, sensitive communication skills to build rapport and channels of communication by recognizing and adapting to the range of participant communication styles.

Maintain accurate data regarding individual progress toward goals (hours worked, performance on job). Utilize and assess client preferences, skills, aptitudes, and strengths to identify potential employment opportunities. Provide practice for employment preparation and job retention skills on the work site. Accompany clients on the job search/interview process. Supervisory Responsibility:
This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance, support, and collaboration with colleagues and team members as needed to support departmental and organizational goals. Physical Demands:
This position requires regular onsite presence and includes primarily sedentary work with occasional active physical duties in an office or educational support environment. Employees are regularly required to sit, communicate effectively, use hands for computer, telephone, and office equipment operation, and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with typing, filing, and data entry. Frequent activities may include walking, standing, reaching, bending, and moving throughout office, school, or program locations.

Employees may occasionally lift, carry, or move office materials, files, supplies, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. The position may also require maintaining and organizing records, operating standard office technology, and supporting daily operational or program needs. This role requires the ability to communicate and interact effectively with staff, students, families, vendors, and community members in a professional and supportive manner.

Employees may work in environments with moderate noise levels and frequent interruptions while managing multiple responsibilities and deadlines. Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employees must also be able to hear and interpret verbal communication, phone conversations, alarms, and other environmental sounds related to workplace safety and operations.

Regular attendance, dependable onsite presence, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. Travel:
No regular travel is required for this position. Occasional travel to meetings, trainings, conferences, Bucks IU locations, or other work-related activities may be necessary based on organizational needs.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Meet the designation of this position by showing evidence of the following:
High school diploma required. Associates degree preferred. Two (2) plus years direct work experience with persons with disabilities. Successful completion of ODP Orientation Course within first thirty days of hire. Complete ACRE training for supported employment within the first 6 months. Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License required. Able to pass Motor Vehicle background check

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing. Knowledge of disabilities. Able to take initiative, establish and maintain working relationships with community businesses/volunteer work sites. Work effectively with individuals from a variety of educational, socio-economic, ethnic and disability groups. Impart and obtain information tactfully and accurately.…