Vocational Support Associate - PT (all counties

JOB TITLE: Vocational Support Associate - DORS program

LOCATION: Calvert, St. Mary's and Charles locations

SALARY: $18.50 per hour

STATUS: Part‑time (M-F 9 am - 2:00 pm) with additional hours if needed

The Arc Southern Chesapeake is currently hiring a part‑time Vocational Support Associate for the DORS program. A VSA provides onsite instruction, support and encouragement to people with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

Generally, the VSA works as a member of a team with the following objectives:

• Person-centered planning and individualized implementation of goals for individuals receiving supports from the team
• Deals with crisis situations.
• Assures that all duties required by the employment site of the person(s) receiving this support are met through either the person or the employee, as necessary.

You are a good fit if you have the following experience, education, and skills:

• 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• A valid driving license (We cannot accept driver permit or provisional license)
• Can pass a criminal background check mandated by the State of Maryland
• A good driving record with no more than 2 points on the license
• A reliable vehicle to be used in transporting individuals we serve
• Enjoy assisting people and hands on support

• Assists individual(s) to meet his or her employment goals, by teaching skills, providing supports, and building on individual strengths and capabilities.
• Supports individual(s) in the development of friendships and other relationships in employment, volunteer and recreational settings.
• Provides on-site skill instructions and overall job training while encouraging development of natural support systems.
• Maintains frequent and positive contacts with employers, family members, or other important people in the lives of people served.
• Provides information, on behalf of the person receiving supports, to various community, business, civic organizations and community service providers (e.g., doctors, social services, etc.) in a professional manner.
• Assures compliance with applicable regulations, (i.e., MOSHA, DDA, health fire).
• Develops Task Analyses, as necessary.
• Assists employment, recreational, volunteer and apprenticeship sites in the development of adaptive methods, as necessary.
• The VSA assures that activities in all locations comply with guidelines established by the agency, Federal government and the State of Maryland.
• Provides or assists with personal care, as necessary.

• Assists with and/or dispenses medication (as certified), or other prescribed medical treatments, as necessary.

• Assists with the development of perspective employer relationships.
• Assists in the identification of needs for the individual(s) for community supports, working with the individual(s) informal support system and /or initiating community connections.

• Assists individual(s) to plan, make informed choices, follow through on responsibilities and speak on his/her/their behalf.

• Uses effective, sensitive communication skills to build rapport and channels of communication by recognizing and adapting to the range of individual(s) communication styles.
• Learns and uses terminology appropriately, explaining as necessary to ensure individual(s) understanding.

• Maintains collaborative professional relationships with individual(s) and all support team members (including family/friends), follows ethical standards of practice (e.g., confidentiality, informed consent, etc.), and recognizes his or her own personal limitations.
• Assists and/or facilitates the implementation of an individualized plan to achieve specific outcomes derived from individual(s) preferences, needs and interests.

• Facilitates, assists, and/or represents individual(s) when there are barriers to his or her support needs.
• Interacts with and educates employers, and community members when relevant to individual’s needs or supports.

• Identifies crisis situations, evaluates or defuses the situation, and…