What are the responsibilities and job description for the Direct Support Professional: Part-Time position at Bucks County Intermediate Unit?
Job Description
Job Summary:
Under the direction of the Supervisor of Adult Programs and Services, provide direct support to adults with disabilities in varied settings related to employment and community participation. Support adults with disabilities in developing, refining and generalizing skills necessary for successful employment and community integration. This position is not eligible for remote work, telecommuting, or off-site work arrangements.
Support Staff Core Essential Functions
Primary duties and responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully fulfill the requirements of a position.
This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance, support, and collaboration with colleagues and team members as needed to support departmental and organizational goals.
Physical Demands
This position requires regular onsite presence and includes primarily sedentary work with occasional active physical duties in an office or educational support environment. Employees are regularly required to sit, communicate effectively, use hands for computer, telephone, and office equipment operation, and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with typing, filing, and data entry. Frequent activities may include walking, standing, reaching, bending, and moving throughout office, school, or program locations.
Employees may occasionally lift, carry, or move office materials, files, supplies, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. The position may also require maintaining and organizing records, operating standard office technology, and supporting daily operational or program needs.
This role requires the ability to communicate and interact effectively with staff, students, families, vendors, and community members in a professional and supportive manner. Employees may work in environments with moderate noise levels and frequent interruptions while managing multiple responsibilities and deadlines.
Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employees must also be able to hear and interpret verbal communication, phone conversations, alarms, and other environmental sounds related to workplace safety and operations.
Regular attendance, dependable onsite presence, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
This is a full-time, 260-day calendar position. Days and hours of work may be variable and flexible. Not to exceed 28 hours per week. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel
This position may require the operation of a Bucks IU vehicle in the performance of assigned duties. Employees who are required to drive must:
Meet the designation of this position by showing evidence of the following:
Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.
EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer
The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.
Primary Location
US-PA-DOYLESTOWN
Work Locations
Itinerant Countywide
Job
Adult Services
Organization
Bucks IU Business Unit
Schedule
Part-time
Job Posting
Sep 22, 2026, 8:23:16 AM
Job Summary:
Under the direction of the Supervisor of Adult Programs and Services, provide direct support to adults with disabilities in varied settings related to employment and community participation. Support adults with disabilities in developing, refining and generalizing skills necessary for successful employment and community integration. This position is not eligible for remote work, telecommuting, or off-site work arrangements.
Support Staff Core Essential Functions
Primary duties and responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully fulfill the requirements of a position.
- Regular attendance and reliable on-site presence.
- Provide on-site employment support or community access support to assist the individual in performing their work duties/community goals.
- Provide accommodations and adaptations to work sites to facilitate client independence.
- Apply effective, sensitive communication skills to build rapport and channels of communication by recognizing and adapting to the range of participant communication styles.
- Maintain accurate data regarding individual progress toward goals (hours worked, performance on job).
- Utilize and assess client preferences, skills, aptitudes, and strengths to identify potential employment/community opportunities.
- Provide practice for employment preparation and job retention skills on the work site.
This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide guidance, support, and collaboration with colleagues and team members as needed to support departmental and organizational goals.
Physical Demands
This position requires regular onsite presence and includes primarily sedentary work with occasional active physical duties in an office or educational support environment. Employees are regularly required to sit, communicate effectively, use hands for computer, telephone, and office equipment operation, and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements associated with typing, filing, and data entry. Frequent activities may include walking, standing, reaching, bending, and moving throughout office, school, or program locations.
Employees may occasionally lift, carry, or move office materials, files, supplies, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. The position may also require maintaining and organizing records, operating standard office technology, and supporting daily operational or program needs.
This role requires the ability to communicate and interact effectively with staff, students, families, vendors, and community members in a professional and supportive manner. Employees may work in environments with moderate noise levels and frequent interruptions while managing multiple responsibilities and deadlines.
Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Employees must also be able to hear and interpret verbal communication, phone conversations, alarms, and other environmental sounds related to workplace safety and operations.
Regular attendance, dependable onsite presence, and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
This is a full-time, 260-day calendar position. Days and hours of work may be variable and flexible. Not to exceed 28 hours per week. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel
This position may require the operation of a Bucks IU vehicle in the performance of assigned duties. Employees who are required to drive must:
- Possess and maintains a valid Pennsylvania driver's license.
- Maintain an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) in accordance with Bucks IU guidelines and requirements.
- Comply with all Bucks IU vehicle operation policies and procedures.
Meet the designation of this position by showing evidence of the following:
- High school diploma required.
- Associates degree preferred.
- Two (2) plus years direct work experience with persons with disabilities.
- Successful completion of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) orientation course.
- Complete Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (CRE) training for supported employment within the first six (6) months of hire.
- Participation in continued education requirements of at least 24 hours per week.
- Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License required.
- Able to pass Motor Vehicle background check.
- Experience with students or adults with disabilities.
- Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.
- Knowledge of disabilities.
- Ability to take initiative, establish and maintain working relationships with community businesses/ volunteer work sites.
- Work effectively with individuals from a variety of educational, socio-economic, ethnic and disability groups.
- Impart and obtain information tactfully and accurately.
- Strong organization skills.
- Maintain accurate records of all activities undertaken with the client.
Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.
EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer
The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.
Primary Location
US-PA-DOYLESTOWN
Work Locations
Itinerant Countywide
Job
Adult Services
Organization
Bucks IU Business Unit
Schedule
Part-time
Job Posting
Sep 22, 2026, 8:23:16 AM