Direct Support Professional I

Disability Lived Experience Specialist! Community Connections has helped people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work, and play in their Community Since 1985. We are looking to hire a part time Direct Support Professional to serve as a mentor and supporter to help other people gain skills and confidence to live on their own and access the community. The ideal candidate would have experience of living with a disability, accessing support, navigating the community, and be excited about sharing and mentoring that experience to others! Paid sick days are offered base on hours worked. Our Employee Assistance Plan is offered to all employees. $15.76 per hour. Apply, at www.communityconnectionsco.org Employment tab. Hiring for Durango, CO. Open until March 31, 2024. EOE

Title:Direct Support Professional I (Lived Experience Specialist)
Reports To: Adult Services Program Manager
FLSA: Hourly/Non-Exempt Part Time
Job Description: To provide individualized care and assistance that will help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn and practice independent living skills, engage and access community activities and events of their choice, and provide other mentorship and guidance to encourage and empower people to gain confidence in transitioning to more independently living, working, and playing in their community. Much of this role is envisioned to support people to practice skills and access resources that will help them live in more independent settings, and develop skills to increase participation in community meetings, events and activities of their choice. Typical expected tasks would be working with a person in services to identify activities of interest, develop a plan for the person to access the activity (such as riding the bus), support the person to practice accessing the activity, support them to have confidence participating in the activity, and then fading support when they are ready.
Responsibilities:

• Embody and act in ways consistent with the mission, vision, and values of CCI/Our Own Lives.
• Adherence to State regulations and service definitions;
• Insure policies and procedures for CCI/Our Own Lives are followed;
• Act in an empowering, affirming, and person centered manner towards people with disabilities and people enrolled into services.
• Understand and implement the Service Plan of persons receiving services. Participate in the service planning process as requested
• Understand and implement all Individual Service & Support Plans (ISSP) as identified in the service plan;
• Understand and follow any client specific protocols, rights suspensions or safety control procedures;
• Assist in personal care when needed, but may be limited to maximum weight of lifting and transferring based on documented need of accommodation;
• Recognize potential health and safety hazards for all participants and other staff during activities and take the necessary steps to avoid them. Understand emergency protocols for communication and response to emergencies for all service locations in the community, at the day program base site, and while in the residential setting;
• Provide opportunity for community involvement and promote independence;
• May assist with housekeeping tasks in day program or home settings
• Complete required trainings within 90-day period;
• Attend meetings when required;
• Maintain appropriate paperwork assuring proper documentation is completed by the end of every shift;
• Turn in completed timesheet and mileage sheets accurately and timely;
• Maintain communication with Supervisor and administrative staff;
• Work with others in a positive manner in a team oriented environment;
• Work with minimal supervision and to recognize situations where assistance is needed;
• Perform duties and conduct interactions with agency staff, persons served, and the public in a manner consistent with CCI/Our Own Lives values;
• Deal with stress and stressful situations in an effective, productive manner;
• Promote and maintain appropriate professional and ethical relationships;
• Any and all reasonable duties as assigned within scope of minimum qualifications and physical demands.

Core Competencies:
Compassion
Command skills
Composure
Dealing with paradox
Integrity and trust
Listening
Motivating Others
Patience
Use of resources

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Lived experience of having a disability is preferred for this position!
• Ability to work independently.
• Listening skills, following input and guidance of the person.
• Good organizational skills.
• Writing skills sufficient to complete documentation and other required paperwork.
• Knowledge of community activities.
• Computer skills.
• Ability to be a team player.
• Flexible and be able to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to get to and from the worksite.
• Satisfactory completion of all background checks and references.***

Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED or equivalent knowledge and experience
Physical Demands of the Job: These essential tasks may be performed with or without accommodations, or with assistive technology. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be stationary, move indoors and within the community, position self, use objects, communicate verbally, in writing, and via in-person, computer and phone, and observe. The employee may be required to lift and transfer individuals independently, two man, or with adaptive equipment from wheelchairs, beds, showers, etc. Weight limits may be less than 50 pounds based on documented need of accommodation. The employee may be required to travel with staff and clients to meetings, training, and other community activities.
***Please consult Human Resources for questions regarding specific criminal convictions and/or traffic violations that may preclude employment.