Direct Support Professional – Community Services
Bring your Heart to Coarc
Locations: Hudson, NY
At Coarc, we believe in expanding abilities one person at a time. Join our dedicated team and make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
As a Direct Support Professional in our Community Services program, you will play a vital role in helping individuals with developmental disabilities build greater independence in their daily lives. This includes supporting skill development in areas such as independent living, vocational training, and social interaction. You'll also assist individuals in engaging with their communities-whether through recreational outings, volunteer opportunities, or navigating public services-to promote meaningful community integration.
Why Work at Coarc?
- Hours: Monday through Friday daytime hours.
- Competitive Pay: $16.50 - $17.00 depending on program.
- Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, including sick and family leave.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision coverage, plus 24/7 access to a doctor for you and your household.
- Student Loan Forgiveness: Coarc is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
- Paid Training: No experience required; we provide comprehensive training to equip you with the skills needed to succeed.
- Professional Development: Ongoing opportunities for growth, including nationally recognized credentialing with pay incentives.
Hear from Our Team
"I'm very impressed with Coarc. Everyone I met was friendly and helpful. It's clear Coarc values its employees, and I'm proud to be part of this organization." – New Hire Testimonial
What You'll Do
As a Direct Support Professional, you'll:
- Assist individuals in making choices and decisions that enhance their independence.
- Support daily activities, including personal care, meal preparation, and household tasks.
- Encourage participation in community activities and social events.
- Provide emotional and physical support, fostering a safe and respectful environment.
- Document and communicate progress, ensuring person-centered care
Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED (TASC) preferred.
- Exceptional communication and computer skills.
- Valid driver's license.
- Ability to be certified in all required trainings.
- Occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.
- One-year experience working with persons with disabilities (preferred).
Contact Us
For more information or to apply:
- Jamie Budai: [email protected] | 518-672-4451 ext. 2141
- Mikki Kay: [email protected] | 518-672-4451 ext. 2143
Visit our website to view current job openings and complete an online application: coarc.org
Equal Opportunity Employer
GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB
Support the emotional, physical and personal well-being of the people assigned; encourage growth by recognizing their autonomy and being proactive with them in reducing their risk of harm; foster a spirit of partnership with each person and with their "Circle of Support" members; always affirm the human rights, civil rights and responsibilities of each person as well as justice, inclusion and full community participation; perform in a manner consistent with the NADSP Code of Ethics.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop a shared relationship with the person that supports the unique personal desires and needs of each person supported; provide assistance to the person with decision-making, problem-solving and providing encouragement to become as much of a self-advocate as possible.
- Assist the person to know their own personal strengths and worth; assist the person in sharing those personal traits with others in a variety of community settings; support the person in making friends within their natural community settings.
- Work in a professional and ethical manner; establish a trusting relationship with the people supported by being reliable and on time when providing supports and/or activities based on the person's stated valued outcomes and goals; always work towards assisting the person to achieve maximum success by developing a mutually respectful relationship with the person and their "Circle of Supports".
- Support healthy living practices, inclusive of diet, exercise, stress reduction and emotional support, medical and dental health practices as needed or requested by the people supported.
- As needed, provide assistance based on the person's plan of care, including but not limited to assistance with hygiene, dressing, using the bathroom, and/or showering.
- Understand and report all instances of physical or emotional harm to the person by others in accordance with Agency policies and procedures relative to OPWDD Part 624 and 625 regulations; ensure the safety and well-being of the person immediately following any incidents of physical or emotional harm.
- Be familiar with all safety measures and procedures for on-site and off-site activities, including requirements for using kitchen equipment, use of bathrooms/public restrooms and use of vehicles; assist the person supported to learn basic responses to fire emergencies, environmental emergencies and medical emergencies; provide support to the person via their Behavior Plan or Monitoring Plan (as applicable).
- Assist the person supported in maintaining a comfortable, orderly and clean environment; support the person in enjoying life by teaching them to care for their surroundings, inclusive of cleaning activities, care for clothing and minor repairs (within the scope of each person's skills and abilities).
- Encourage and support the person to take part in volunteer, educational, recreational and work activities in their community.
- As needed, provide medication administration support to each person based on their skills and abilities as defined in their plan(s); comply with all Agency policies and procedures relative to the administration of medications to people supported.
- Participate in the development and review of each person's service planning meetings; know and understand the unique aspects of each person's plan(s); document all services delivered in the mode and manner prescribed by agency policies and procedures; advocate for changes on each person's behalf when necessary or requested by the person; participate in any other team meetings with or for the person necessary to ensure each person's needs and wants are being addressed and that each person is successfully supported towards meeting their stated outcomes/goals.
- Safely operate Agency vehicles per policy and per NYS Traffic Laws, and whenever transporting people supported.
- Attend all required trainings and maintain all required trainings per Agency policies and procedures; maintain all required certifications necessary for the people we support.
- May be required to work beyond scheduled hours when mandated to ensure adequate staff coverage.
- May be required to provide coverage for alternate people, and/or at another location, when requested by Management or Administrator on Duty.
- Required to attend staff meetings and trainings that may fall outside of regular schedule.