Position Title: Direct Support Professional
Location: Southeast WI
Reports To: Senior DSP Coordinator, Southeast WI
Status: Part-time (15-20 hours per week)

Pay: $16 - $18/hour, depending on experience

FLSA Status: Not applicable

Are you looking for a position that brings purpose to your life? Would you like to wake up every day knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities? Are you ready to join a team that cares deeply for its staff and has an awesome culture? If this sounds like you, then read on for an exciting opportunity to join us at the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin!

Summary:

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is a statewide, volunteer-driven non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities and their families through awareness, education, information, programs, services, and the exchange of ideas and experiences.

DSAW provides programs and services throughout the lifespan (Parent’s First Call for new and expectant parents, children’s services, adult services, employment services, and aging services), as well as educational opportunities and events.

We have an immediate opening for a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to work one-on-one with individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities in their homes and in the community. The DSP provides individualized, person-centered support and works towards goals that focus on helping the participant become as independent as possible. For example, a DSP might work with a participant on making a healthy snack, learning to counting money, or safe internet use. This particular position will spend their time working one-on-one or in small groups with both children and adults. Day time and late afternoon/early evening hours are needed.

As a face of the organization, successful candidates will be extremely positive, energetic, and have a passion for helping individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities to achieve amazing lives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Meet with the Case Coordinator and the family to determine individual goals
• Consistently model appropriate social skills
• Support participant by practicing, modeling and guiding them through real life experiences
• Research and have the ability to create necessary accommodations for life skills including: personal hygiene, meal planning and prep, home upkeep, money management and technology
• Maintain and model positive professional working relationships with participants, guardians, employers, and other significant persons in their lives
• Provide family education to participant's family members and other natural supports
• Advocate for participants as needed and teach advocacy skills
• Attend required meetings and in-service training sessions
• Monitor participant's goals and complete progress notes as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Interpersonal

• Must be a sensitive and mature individual who is able to relate well to both children and adults
• Demonstrates warmth, insight, interest, and respect for people with disabilities
• Willingness to accept flexibility with their schedule
• Able and knowledgeable to cope with emergency situations or behavioral situations in a calm and effective manner
• Able and willing to be a team player and to work cooperatively with their supervisor
• Able to communicate effectively with clients and their families

Education/Experience

• The minimum education level for this job is a high school diploma or equivalent with at least two years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities in a classroom, place of employment, day care, medical or residential setting
• Minimum age is 18
• An associate degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred
• Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle
• Applicants must pass a background check that meets State of Wisconsin requirements

Physical and Environmental Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the Direct Support Professional will be required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear clearly. The noise level in the work environment varies from low to high. The job may require the ability to walk, climb stairs, kneel, stoop, and may require the employee to lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. The job may require extended periods of sitting or standing.

Compensation

Given that the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is a non-profit organization that is not engaged in the production of goods or services, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Wisconsin overtime law does not apply to DSAW employees. Nonetheless, this is an hourly position.

Benefits include the following:

• Flexible schedule
  
• Access to healthy snacks, bottled water, coffee, and tea at the DSAW office
• Ongoing training opportunities sponsored by DSAW
• Employee referral program (employee will receive $50 if their referral is hired)
• Relaxed dress code at the discretion of your supervisor
• Annual offsite staff team-building activities
  
• An amazing mission and culture!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.