Direct Support Professional

Job Summary

Life'sWork of Western PA is currently hiring a full‑time Direct Support Professional to join our team. A Direct Support Professional at Life’sWork is responsible for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other barriers to employment. The role assists clients to acquire, maintain, and enhance the skills needed to secure and carry out work‑related activities. The professional will work at a variety of sites, including Life’sWork's production facility and a range of businesses and organizations through our small group staffing program.

Direct Support Professionals also learn and apply the Individual Support Plan (ISP) and maintain confidentiality.

• Provide job coaching across all program areas: facility, community, and small group staffing locations.
• Transport participants to and from the worksite using company vehicles when required.
• Complete daily documentation of implementation and progress toward participants’ goals and activities based on the care plan.
• Support the achievement of participants’ 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 participants’ progress for support team meetings when requested.
• Engage with participants daily to facilitate learning and growth opportunities.
• Identify and provide reasonable accommodation to assist participants, e.g., help with vending machines or walking 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.
• Perform 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 and a good driving record are highly preferred.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from work.

• Ability to multitask, be a team player, and take the lead when needed.
• Basic comfort with PC operation and data entry skills is required.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Well‑organized with a customer‑oriented approach.
• Leadership and supervision experience are a plus.
• Attention to detail and observation skills.
• Time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

• Must be able to stand, walk, and/or bend for long periods.
• Must be able to lift items weighing up to 20 pounds.

• Must obtain First Aid/CPR certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Act 153 clearances (PATCH, Child Abuse, FBI Fingerprinting, and Drug Screen) are required before hire.
• ACRE (Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators) certification is a plus.

Health Coverage:
The Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) is available to full‑time employees. It is an employer‑funded benefit that reimburses employees tax‑free for the cost of individual health insurance premiums and provides a flexible alternative to traditional group plans.

• Dental and vision (covered 100% by employee).
• Aflac.
• Legal Shield / Identity Theft Protection.
• Pet Insurance.

Paid Time Off (PTO):
Staff accrue up to 20 days within the first year.

Holidays (Full‑time & Part‑time):
Offers 12‑15 paid holidays per year.

Retirement Plan (403(b) Thrift Plan):
Matches 100% of employee contribution, not to exceed 5% after one year of service at Life’sWork.

At Life’sWork of Western PA, we have a clear vision: to create a community where difference is valued. As an organization centered on lifting up some of the most vulnerable members of society, diversity and inclusion are more than words. Here, everyone is welcome. We employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin, language, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, handicap or disability, and other protected status.

We strive to build a workplace where inclusion is part of our everyday culture, where employees feel their gifts are celebrated and appreciated, and are encouraged to be who they are. We believe that a diverse mix of talents, perspectives, and backgrounds drives lasting change.