*Starting rate $18.50/hour*

Advocates is seeking enthusiastic, motivated team players to provide valuable care to individuals in a residential setting!

Advocates promotes a healthy work-life balance and offers many generous perks of employment and room for advancement.  We are a strong-knit community that values the ideas and contributions from our staff.

The Direct Support Staff position is an entry-level role where you can support individuals with developmental disabilities and start your career in human services! In the Direct Support Staff role, you will provide ongoing support, guidance, and role modeling directly to individuals served in a residential setting. You will be responsible for assisting residents with activities of daily living such as cooking, personal hygiene, and dressing. You will also be responsible for administering and managing medication, following Individual Support Plans (ISPs), transporting residents to appointments when needed, and completing shift notes. Direct Support staff ensure the program is a welcoming, comfortable and safe environment. You will get to work closely with parents and/or guardians to collaborate on how to best support each individual. You will also support residents of the program with community integration by doing things such as group activities, taking trips to events, and volunteering.

Are you ready to make a difference?

• Support individuals in daily activities inside their home and in the community by promoting self-advocacy, decision-making and empowerment.  Provide guidance and role modeling as appropriate.
• Assist individuals with planning and implementation of daily activity schedules and routines.
• Assist individuals to identify and develop person-centered goals and plans to address any concerns, wants or needs.
• Encourage active participation in community events and other integrated activities.
• Assist individuals with home maintenance and perform cleaning responsibilities.
• Document shift notes summarizing any applicable occurrences, observations, concerns or progress.

• High school diploma or equivalent degree.  Experience working with the population preferred!
• Excellent interpersonal, judgement and coaching skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to utilize basic computer applications.
• Desire to thrive in a fast-paced, client-centered, team-oriented environment.
• Must hold a valid driver's license, have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport clients.
• Strongly prefer a candidate that will have a demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally diverse populations.

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.

Why Should I Consider a Career in Human Services?

Our Team members are dedicated to engaging and empowering individuals by forming lasting relationships, collaboratively achieving personal goals, offering creative solutions to everyday and complex situations, and actively listening.  We exercise independent judgement and contribute to the overall success and benefit of the Team.

Is Human Services a Fit for Me?

Successful Team members are open-minded, eager and compassionate, and will exercise solid, independent judgement while fostering trustworthy relationships with the individuals that we serve.  We put the individual first.

Keywords: direct care, direct support, residential counselor, residential support, group home, group living environment, GLE, ADLs