Job Title: Direct Support Professional (DSP) - Part-Time

Reports to: Residential Managers/Residential Director

Department: Residential

Compensation: $23/hour

Company Overview:

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. Reporting to the residential director, and collaborating with other department directors, the DSP provides 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. As an educator and mentor, the DSP works closely with colleagues to create/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. The DSP also actively assists with other programs, events, and services administered through Campus Life or Education, and have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of responsibilities.  

• Manage the day-to-day direct care needs, operations, and programs.

• Serve as a liaison between departments and other key offices pertinent to the day-to-day operations.

• Develop and maintain trusting, respectful relationships with students, including understanding their unique interests, needs, and goals to maintain a positive and cooperative environment.

• Explain, enforce, and support all policies and procedures to students ensuring an inclusive and respectful community that promotes self-advocacy, collaboration, and independence.

• Complete administrative tasks, including assisting with shift logs, maintenance requests, incident reports, behavior intervention plans, and progress tracking.

• Proactively work with students in crisis to de-escalate situations using SOIS protocol.

• Attend to and report all emergencies and/or other situations requiring immediate attention to the appropriate staff member(s) in accordance with Shrub Oak policies/procedures.

• Facilitate on-campus and off-campus programming and community development based on the needs of each student as outlined by the student’s ITEP, faculty, clinicians, or Campus Life model.

• 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.

• Support the individualized ITEP and other developmental goals for each student, collaborating with the ITEP team and documenting efforts and progress.

• Serve as a campus and community resource for students and staff by advising and providing guidance in planning programs, activities, and academic support.

• Develop, present, track, and evaluate educational programs for students.

• Collaborate with departmental staff to ensure all students maintain a regular and appropriate schedule of events and daily living activities.

• Attend all required meetings and seminars as scheduled, including all staff orientation/training.

  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 relevant   experience required; previous experience working in a residential school/residential program preferred.  

• Experience with crisis intervention and support required.  

• Previous   experience working as a   DSP, Social Worker, Recreational Therapist, Registered Behavioral Technician, Behavioral Specialist or a related position preferred.    

• Experience working with adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum preferred.  

• Experience with personal care & hygiene support/activities of daily living (ADLs) preferred.  

• Experience working cross-functionally in a transdisciplinary program to consistently support our students.  

• High school diploma/GED or equivalent required;   bachelor's degree in psychology or related field preferred.

  Skills & Abilities:

• Exceptional written communication skills, specifically involving documentation, progress notes, incident reports, and other related administrative tasks  

• Exceptional verbal communication skills  

• Strong ability to build relationships with students and peers  

• Strong ability to process and retain information  

• Strong ability to think critically and analytically  

• Ability to handle and manage highly challenging   behaviors  

• Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.  

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment  

• 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.

  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.

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