Direct Support Professional - Lakeport, NY

Are you looking for a rewarding way to make a difference while making a living?

Advocates is seeking a creative and compassionate Mentor (DSP/1:1 support staff) to work with a gifted young woman with a developmental disability. In this critical role, you will help her with maintaining and learning key independent living skills (both within her home as well as out in the community), assist with social skills development, and provide support as needed to communicate and interact with others appropriately. The Mentor will also routinely provide support with participating in volunteer opportunities, as well as with experiencing social, recreational, and physical fitness activities in the community. The ideal candidate for the DSP position will be physically active and energetic, as well as resourceful/creative in researching and identifying activities that are socially and physically beneficial to the individual. The ideal candidate will also possess effective communication and leadership skills, patience, and strong organizational skills. Please respond with a resume or summary of experience.

Candidate must possess a keen sense of attention to detail, especially when electronically logging each day's time, mileage, and service documentation. DSP must have a valid email address.

Hours and days of work

Monday and Tuesday (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM with some flexibility)

Pay rate: $21.00 per hour while providing direct support. The hourly rate for indirect/training is $15.50 per hour.

Location: Lakeport, NY (with frequent travel to the Dewitt/Fayetteville area)

A valid drivers license and reliable transportation are required for this position.

In addition to the hourly wage, Advocates provides the following benefits to its employees:

• Mileage (reimbursed at the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate when providing transportation to the individual)
• Life and Long-Term Disability insurance at no cost to the employee
• Health, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401k with up to a 2% match

Advocates is a leading human services organization with over 1,300 dedicated employees serving people throughout Central New York. Advocates is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requisition ID: 44077

• Must be 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid email address.
• Must possess a valid drivers license and auto insurance if required for the job assigned.
• Must demonstrate sound decision-making skills.
• Must demonstrate understanding for the Agency mission. People working in this position must believe in the philosophy of person-centered services, self-advocacy, and the right and ability of people we serve to self-direct their supports and services.
• Must demonstrate patience and compassion.
• Must have the ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and have the ability to write correspondence.
• Must have basic reasoning skills including the ability to analyze and problem solve.
• Must be able to tolerate a moderate noise level in the work environment and must be able to handle distractions.
• Ability to handle physical aspects of the job, including sitting, standing, using hands to reach, walk, push, or lift up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Background checks required
• Education & Experience: GED or High School Diploma preferred. Applicable job experience preferred.
• Desired Skills and Abilities: previous experience working 1:1 in a related service environment preferred. Knowledge of disability related issues preferred.
• Other: The individual does not have the authority to set the staff salary in this model. The Mentor is paid at the providers rate for the service based on an assessment of the specific support needs of the individual in the areas of behavioral support, communication support, and physical support needs.