Job Title: Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Reports to: Department supervisor team
Department: Education or Residential
Compensation: $20 - $23 per hour, depending on shift
Shrub Oak International School (www.shruboak.org) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co-occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers unparalleled educational opportunities for autistic students in a family-centric, supportive environment. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of students across the spectrum, and our curriculum is based on the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education.
Essential Functions:
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a year-round position. The AM DSP works in the education program, during the school day, to support our students in a classroom setting, under the guidance of a special education teacher. The PM and Overnight DSPs work in the residential program, during the afternoon and evening or overnight hours, to provide hands-on and programmatic support to our students under the guidance of the residential management team. All DSPs provide front line direct care and administrative support for daily operations. They are responsible for guiding and mentoring students, assisting with emergency response procedures, and collaborating with all members of the Shrub Oak staff. Serving as a coaches and mentors, all DSPs work closely with colleagues to create and maintain an inclusive community and foster specific skill development to meet the individualized needs of Shrub Oak’s student population. Having access to confidential information regarding Shrub Oak and its students, discretion and independent judgement is required. DSPs also actively assist with other programs, events, and services administered through the Residential or Education teams, and have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of responsibilities.
- Facilitate daily care needs, department procedures, and programmatic outcomes for students.
- Collaborate with departmental staff to ensure all students maintain a regular and appropriate schedule of events and daily living activities.
- Build trusting relationships with students, understanding their unique needs and promoting a positive, inclusive environment.
- Empower students to promote self-advocacy, collaboration, and independence in students.
- Support the individualized ITEP and other developmental goals for each student, collaborating with the ITEP team and documenting efforts and progress.
- Complete administrative tasks, including shift logs, maintenance requests, incident reports, and progress tracking.
- De-escalate crises using SOIS protocols and report emergencies promptly per policies.
- Facilitate on- and off-campus programming tailored to student ITEPs and developmental goals.
- Mentor and support students in life skills, collaborating with faculty and clinicians, and tracking progress.
- Serve as a resource for students and staff, guiding programs, activities, and academic support.
- Advise, support, and mentor students on various life skills and issues, collaborating with faculty and clinicians as necessary, and follow up with all issues regularly.
- Attend required meetings, trainings, and seminars as scheduled.
Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Requirements:
Experience & Education:
- 1 year of work experience in a high-volume/demanding customer service or human service position required
- Crisis management and de-escalation experience required
- Customer service experience required
- High school diploma/GED or equivalent required
- At least 3 years of work experience in a high-volume/demanding customer service or human service position preferred; special consideration given to those with EMT/EMS, CNA/HHA/PCA, or similar experience
- Experience handling aggressive clients/customers preferred
- Experience assisting with hygiene and personal care activities preferred
Skills & Abilities:
- Strong written communication skills, specifically involving documentation, progress notes, incident reports, and other related administrative tasks
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Skilled in managing challenging behaviors and executing de-escalation techniques
- Ability and willingness to learn new skills
- Ability to display grit and resilience and maintain composure
- Strong ability to build relationships with students and peers
- Strong ability to process and retain information and to think critically and analytically during crisis
- Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment
- Ability to handle highly challenging behaviors, including those aggressive in nature
- Ability to get TCIS trained and complete/maintain all required trainings
Benefits:
Benefits are only available for full-time employees. Part time employees still accrue and have access to PTO. An overview of our benefits:
- Insurance coverage: Health, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance
- Flexible spending account (FSA)
- Paid time off (PTO)
- 401k w/ company match
- Tuition/Professional development assistance
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Employee discounts
Physical Requirements/Demands:
A workday regularly includes multiple or conflicting demands, deadlines and time pressures; work regularly requires sustained concentration. Standing for sustained periods of time, bending, stretching, walking up and down stairs (building has 6 floors), around a hilly campus as needed, may also require walking between floors or between buildings at a moment’s notice. May need to lift/move boxes up to 25 pounds and move or rearrange furniture.
Work Environment:
We are a boarding school located on a 127-acre campus. The work environment will include both indoor and outdoor spaces, mostly inside the classroom or educational environment. May include work within the residential setting. The building has 6 floors accessible by staircases and elevators.
EEO Statement:
Shrub Oak is an equal employment opportunity employer. Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of their job. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.
Please note:
SOIS maintains a smoke-free environment to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees, and community. Smoking or vaping of any kind is strictly prohibited indoors, outdoors, and during off-campus activities, with enforcement measures in place including smoke/vape detectors. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: From $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Please briefly describe your experience working with individuals on the spectrum? If none, please indicate why you are looking to start working with them.
- Did a current employee refer you (If yes provide employee name below)?
- Working weekends is a requirement for this position. Are you able to meet this need?
Ability to Commute:
- Mohegan Lake, NY 10547 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Mohegan Lake, NY 10547: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
