Direct Support Professional

Job Summary

Life'sWork of Western PA is currently hiring both full-time and part-time Direct Support Professionals. A Direct Support Professional at Life’sWork is responsible for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or individuals facing other barriers to employment. A Direct Support Professional will assist our clients to acquire, maintain, and enhance skills required to secure and carry out work-related activities. The Direct Support Professional will work at a variety of work sites, including Life’sWork own production facility as well as in a wide range of businesses and organizations through our small group staffing program.

Direct Support Professionals are responsible for learning and applying the Individual Support Plan (ISP) and maintaining confidentiality.

Life’sWork of Western PA is a non-profit organization empowering people to live the life they choose. We partner with people with disabilities, people with other barriers, young adults, children, and families to pursue their hopes and dreams through strengthening workplace abilities, building life skills, and developing meaningful relationships.

We believe everyone deserves to share in opportunities for meaningful employment. Through employment for all, we envision creating a compassionate, inclusive, and equitable community where all individuals have a chance to flourish. A career at Life’sWork means a chance to promote life-altering change in an individual's life.

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is three times higher than that of people without disabilities. Through our Supported Group Employment, Small Group Staffing, and Community Participation Supports, we’re providing adults with disabilities an opportunity to overcome barriers to employment.

• Provide job coaching across all of our program areas: facility, community, and in small group staffing locations
• May transport participants to and from the worksite using company vehicles
• Complete daily documentation of implementation and progress toward the participant’s goals and activities based on the care plan
• Support the achievement of the participant’s personal outcomes and goals
• Demonstrate knowledge of and implementation of the participant’s support plan
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment
• Contribute information regarding the participant’s progress for support team meetings when requested
• Engage with participants on a daily basis to facilitate growth for learning and opportunities
• Identify and provide reasonable accommodation to assist the needs of participants; for example, assisting them with the vending machine or walking them to the bathroom
• Provide a person-centered environment that fosters advancement and transition
• Act as a role model for appropriate workplace behavior
• Engage with all participants in a positive, respectful, and productive manner on a regular basis
• Complete and maintain annual staff qualifications, including 24 credit hours of training per year
• Performs other related duties as assigned

• A high school diploma or GED is required. A secondary degree in psychology, social services, or a related field is preferred.
• A valid PA driver’s license, a good driving record, and current car insurance are required.
• Must have a reliable form of transportation to and from work

• Ability to multitask, and be a team player with the confidence to take the lead
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Well-organized with a customer-oriented approach
• Leadership and supervision experience are a plus
• Good attention to detail and observation skills
• Proficient in computer technical understanding and can pick up on new systems easily
• Working knowledge of computer systems to complete documentation

• This position requires being able to stand, walk, and/or bend for long periods of time.
• Able to lift items weighing up to 20 pounds

• Must obtain First Aid/CPR certification within six months of date of hire (Life’sWork will cover the cost, if needed).
• Will be required to complete Act 153…