Direct Support Professional - Syracuse, NY

ADVOCATES INCORPORATED • Town of Geddes, NY

2d • $16 - $24

About The Position

Advocates is looking for a caring and dedicated Mentor (DSP/1:1 support staff) to provide community habilitation services for a child with a developmental disability in the Syracuse area. This family is seeking an outgoing individual who is committed to offering support and supervision both at home and in the community. The ideal candidate will have experience working with children, particularly those with developmental disabilities or behavioral challenges. We are looking for someone who is calm, patient, and confident when supporting individuals who may become dysregulated and require redirection. The ability to remain composed, provide consistent supervision, and implement behavioral support strategies is essential. This role requires someone who is attentive to safety and able to maintain a structured, supportive environment. The right person will enjoy engaging in activities, helping the child participate in the community, and supporting skill-building in a positive and encouraging way. Experience in special education, behavioral support, ABA, DSP work, or related fields is strongly preferred. Prior experience supporting children with behavioral needs and developmental disabilities will be very helpful in this role. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a meaningful difference in a child’s life. 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: After school/evenings with available weekend hours. Pay rate: $ 24 per hour when providing direct support. The hourly rate for indirect/training is $16 per hour. Location: Syracuse, NY 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: 50421

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid email address.
• Must possess a valid driver’s 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
• GED or High School Diploma preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in special education, behavioral support, ABA, DSP work, or related fields is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience supporting children with behavioral needs and developmental disabilities will be very helpful in this role.
• previous experience working 1:1 in a related service environment preferred.
• Knowledge of disability related issues preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide community habilitation services for a child with a developmental disability
• Offer support and supervision both at home and in the community
• Support individuals who may become dysregulated and require redirection
• Provide consistent supervision
• Implement behavioral support strategies
• Maintain a structured, supportive environment
• Engage in activities
• Help the child participate in the community
• Support skill-building in a positive and encouraging way
• Electronically log each day's time, mileage, and service documentation

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED