This job posting is for a community-based, 1:1 position working with vulnerable adults. This position falls under the Direct Support Professional umbrella, but that can mean a lot of things these days, so if you aren't familiar with this kind of work check out the details here: https://www.bbmn.org/work-with-us

Mike Welsh here, and I'm the owner over at Breaking Barriers. For this post we're going to take a break from the standard HR-style job description and use a conversational, direct tone instead. Simple reason: I've found this to be the most effective method to reach the kind of people we want to hire.

OK! We've got more details about our services and open positions linked up top. With that in mind, let's move on to some more relevant information about the work and the company.

#1. What would I get out of this position that I couldn't find somewhere else?

• Meaningful paycheck: The results of your job here will mean some of the most forgotten people in society have more skills, opportunities, meaningful relationships, and independence. Still a job, we wouldn't show up without the pay, but when we look back at our work here? We get to see how its improved people's lives!
• Out and about, not stuck in the same place: Working in this position means your office is in people's living rooms, state parks, local businesses, grocery stores, and wherever else adult life takes a person.
• Human connection: For some of you, this will be the smallest group of people you've ever worked with. For an 8 hour day, you'd meet with 2-4 people, and most people keep the same clients for months.

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#2. What's different about working at Breaking Barriers?

• Management is not out of touch. Your supervisor understands what your job is like: Every person at Breaking Barriers works a 1/2 day of direct support services, every week. Doesn't matter what position you have here, and that includes the owners. I work this position every Friday afternoon.
• Professional respect of your work/life balance: Our written policy states that hourly employees are only required to check email on the days they work - when you're off, you're off. Employees designate their own weekly availability and our managers do not schedule people outside of that, ever. You're required to work your pre-planned calendar, and nothing else. Getting called in for coverage isn't a thing here.
• We like our staff and they like us: This field has an average turnover rate of 55% - turnover at Breaking Barriers: 8%. The average 1 year employee retention rate is 34% - Breaking Barriers 1 year retention: 81%.

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Honestly, I'm thrilled with what we've built here, and I believe that's been possible because of the people. Make no mistake, there's no shortcuts or tricks. This takes effort, money, and time from an entire team of people. When we opened 6 years ago, our goal was an agency that saw it's clients as humans, and treated their staff like partners. Today, we're buried in referrals 365 days a year and are regularly referenced as the gold standard in community-based services.

ANYWAY! I think that's enough of a pitch to get us started! My guess is that the people still reading this have already decided if they're interested, so let's talk application.

If you'd like to apply, please use this link https://forms.gle/PitCEE1J5CCFgre58 or connect from our website. Don't use the apply button, I won't get it, we do not utilize really for our applications.

To close, I'd like to dust off a 2-week notice from an employee who moved out of state.

"It would not be hyperbolic to say that this job has been the best I’ve ever had. I am grateful for the resources, feedback, and guidance provided by the company that have allowed me to succeed in my role and to develop professionally. From the beginning, Breaking Barriers’ obvious and unfailing commitment to the well being of both its employees and the individuals they support has impressed me. I’m happy to have been able to work in a role where I felt I was facilitating positive change in people’s lives." - Ethan W

P.S. If you found this compelling, the job seems to meet your needs, but you hesitate because you lack experience? Apply anyway! Some of our most impressive staff had no idea this kind of work existed before finding us.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 8 – 36 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person