JOB TITLE: Direct Support Professional/Employment

DEPARTMENT: Vocational Services

SUPERVISOR: Navigator or Job Coach Supervisor

Gesher Human Services is a bridge to hope and opportunity for people at work, at home and in the community. Gesher’s workforce development, behavioral health, and inclusion programming serves all Metro Detroiters while meeting the needs of the Jewish community.

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Direct Support Professionals help adults with disabilities achieve long-term success and fulfillment in work and life by helping them become independent and integrated into their communities through both paid and unpaid work settings.

QUALIFICATIONS

Must be at least 21 years of age. Work experience with individuals with developmental, emotional and/or physical impairments preferred. Receipts Rights training required within 30 days of hire. First Aid and CPR certification required within 90 days of hire. Working knowledge of training techniques, behavior modification and task analysis. Individuals who are fluent in American Sign Language is a plus. Skills sufficient to work at community sites with considerable independence and to exercise reasonable judgment in handling challenges until supervisory back up is provided. Interpersonal skills sufficient to communicate with the people that we serve, employers, public and staff. Composition skills sufficient to prepare required reports. Driving record must be sufficient to meet safe driving standards as established by Agency insurance carrier and will be run annually along with criminal background check, to comply with funding source requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Plan, implement and supervise activities that promote a healthy, active and socially integrated lifestyle for the people that we serve
2. Using techniques compatible with a Culture of Gentleness, provide training to maximize individuals’ capabilities while promoting inclusiveness in the local community.
3. Use behavior modification, task analysis, data collection and recording, and related techniques to implement goal-related services.
4. Provide regular and systematic feedback to the people that we serve regarding their performance. Using reasonable judgment, successfully manage challenges with the people that we serve until supervisory consultation/back-up is provided so that safety is maintained.
5. Assist the people that we serve with personal care, hygiene and grooming (including provision of physical assistance in transferring and mobility) as needed.
6. Review the progress of the people that we serve and work with navigators to develop and/or revise program goals.
7. Modify training techniques and/or the environment to accommodate various individuals’ disabilities.
8. Transport the people that we serve as needed using Agency van or possibly own vehicle.
9. Navigate internet browser to complete responsibilities of the position, enter data into Agency DART system, and utilize Agency email system.
10. Supervise the people that we serve and facilitate development/refinement of interpersonal skills during lunch, breaks and transitional periods.

Serve on Agency committee(s) as appointed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental conditions:

• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period.

Physical requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard, reach, stoop, kneel to install computer equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Light to moderate lifting in required.

Accommodation(s):

As appropriate and fiscally reasonable.

NON-EXEMPT

This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

The above job description is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be all inclusive or limiting as to specific duties. The Agency reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Agency desires and in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying the position. The described job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability.

This job description is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise and any employment relationship remains “at-will.”

Gesher is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran or disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.