Direct Support Professional - Driver

About Rising Ground

Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 72,000 individuals annually. We do this through 101 programs across 138 sites, throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in New York City.

 About the Role 

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides person centered support based on the individual’s needs, preferences and choices. DSPs perform a wide variety of tasks and activities based on the valued outcomes of each person they work with, and reflecting the specific skills and abilities of each individual. DSPs encourage, guide and offer training to develop daily living skills, ensuring personal needs are met, promoting active engagement in community life and ensuring health and safety. DSPs create a positive and enriching program environment for all persons supported. Direct Support Professionals are a vital member of each person’s support team. DSPs are expected to align their performance with the Code of Ethics and OPWDD DSP Competencies.

 What You’ll Do

• Supports the person’s developmental needs, desires, preferences, and choices.
• Provides support with the person’s goals as outlined by their Staff Action and Life Plan.
• Escort people supported the community for both recreational purposes and with healthcare professionals as needed.
• Operate agency vehicle to support programmatic needs
• Assist with meal planning and preparation
• Provide the necessary level of supervision and support for a person’s needs (behavioral, medical developmental, emotional etc.)
• Safely administer medication under the license of the RN as described in Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP) training (if applicable)
• Be knowledgeable of all OPWDD, NYSJC, and organizational policies and adhere to them accordingly
• Ensures that the program environment is clean, safe and offers a positive home like environment
• Complete all mandated OPWDD and Rising Ground Trainings
• Act as a mandated reporter in accordance with OPWDD, NYSJC, and Organizational Policies
• Notify program RN or appropriate administrator when a concern arises that may impact on the health or safety of the people supported.
• Contemporaneously complete all documentation including, but not limited to monthly progress notes, daily billing, medical follow-up, clinical data or other communications as assigned
• Other Duties assigned based on programmatic need

  Your Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED Required
• Valid State Driver’s License (NYS preferred)
• Must be able to work independently and self-directed.
• Must be able to use technology (for completion of billing data and other assigned tasks)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Positive attitude toward the challenges faced by the people that we support.
• Must be flexible with meeting the needs of the people they support.
• Availability to meet the schedule of the position as assigned, with occasional flexibility
• Prior experience with OPWDD or supporting people with disabilities is a plus

 Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility

No

Work Environment:

Field

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: 
This is a full-time position. Availability to meet the schedule of the position as assigned, with occasional flexibility

Additional Requirements: 

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
• Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required)

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all 

employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s 

perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or 

veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, 

compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.