I am an outgoing, Ivy‑educated quadriplegic attorney seeking bright, compassionate, and responsible part‑time workers to help with personal care, transportation, and other personal‑assistant tasks. Your support will keep me active in volunteer advocacy, social outings, cultural events, and creative work — including a documentary film I am currently making about my own life and travels.
My most immediate need is to fill regular evening shifts (see B below). I have a strong preference for candidates who can also sometimes help in the afternoons — this is ideal but not required, and you should still apply if afternoons generally don't work for you. I do have a more intensive afternoon need over the next couple of months, but it is frontloaded and flexible enough that it can usually be scheduled around a candidate's existing availability, even a little.
Available shifts
A) Mornings, 8 AM – 2 PM. During these hours you would assist with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, and transfers using a Hoyer lift. No heavy lifting is required, though some arm and back strength for repositioning is helpful. My mornings are largely covered by other assistants, so this is not a primary opening — but I keep only one potential backup available on any given day, so a candidate who could occasionally step in for a morning is genuinely helpful.
B) Evenings, 2–3 per week, 7 PM – 11 PM. This is my current primary opening. For this shift you would help me with tasks similar to the morning (though they tend to be somewhat less labor‑intensive). Evenings may include driving to an outing and assisting me while I'm there — a museum, a concert, a restaurant, an advocacy event — so comfort behind the wheel of my van is an asset here. Depending on the specific day of the week, a longer shift with an earlier afternoon starting time may be available or preferred.
Afternoons and driving. Being able to drive me is very much preferred, and afternoon availability is especially welcome. Ideally you would be available to drive me in my wheelchair‑accessible van to appointments, meetings, museums, concerts, parks, or restaurants, and to assist me with other tasks while I'm out. Regular afternoon hours may be available on a mutually convenient basis.
A note on the documentary. I am in the early stages of making a documentary about my life, and some of my outings and daily activities may be filmed as part of it. If you have skills or a genuine interest in any of filmmaking, videography, photo or video editing, photography, research, or writing, there may be opportunities to contribute to the project alongside your personal‑assistant work, and I'm glad to talk about what that could look like. To be clear, none of this is a requirement of the job: you might appear on camera as part of the ordinary course of assisting me, but if you are uncomfortable being filmed, that is completely fine and can be accommodated.
Training and Experience. No prior care experience is required; I have decades of success training first‑time aides. Excellent communication skills, a friendly disposition, and a quick ability to learn are essential.
Additional Information. A valid driver's license, a clean driving record, and current auto insurance are required for applicants who will be driving. You would drive my wheelchair‑accessible van — so there is no wear on your own car — but you must already be covered under your own auto insurance policy or that of a family member. Proof of US work eligibility is required for all hires. Occasional day or weekend trips outside the local area may be optional opportunities for extra hours.
Benefits of the Position. You will gain hands‑on experience, stimulating conversation, and exposure to advocacy, cultural life, and a working documentary production. Many former assistants have gone on to careers in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, medicine, social work, law, psychology, art, film, and public policy.
Compensation. $20 – $23 per hour. Starting rate within the range depends on responsibilities and experience. Weekly hours can range from about one to about four shifts per week depending on your availability, the schedules of my other assistants, and our mutual fit. Over time, there may be additional shifts available for successful workers.
To Apply. Please tell me about yourself, why this role appeals to you, your long‑term goals, and the days and times you are available. Please also let me know whether you are able to drive and are insured, and mention any skills or interests — including anything related to film, video, photography, research, or writing — that you think might be relevant.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $20.00 - $23.00 per hour
Expected hours: 10.0 – 20.0 per week
Application Question(s):
- What are your long-term career goals?
Education:
Ability to Commute:
- Maplewood, NJ 07040 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
