Lead Staff

Advocates for Life Skills and Opportunity

Posted 3 months ago

Full Time

Portland, Oregon

In Person

Smart Summary

Responsibilities

Provide person-centered support and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in home and community settings. Lead and train Direct Support Professionals while ensuring compliance with documentation and acting as a proxy for Service Managers.

Qualifications

You have at least one year of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You demonstrate strong communication and advocacy skills, and are eager to develop your leadership abilities to help individuals thrive and foster independence.

Must Have Skills for ATS

Direct Support Professional

MAR

T-Logs

ISP data

Job Description

Lead Direct Support Professional (DSP) - In Home Services (1:1 Supports)

Are you a leader-in-the-making looking to take the next step in your service focused career?

Promote connection, inclusion, and wellness for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and grow your career with ALSO! 

Who We Are: 

Since 1997, ALSO has been committed to fostering independence and community inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ALSO provides 24/7 wraparound support that honors the individual needs of each person and provides ample opportunities for community involvement while encouraging the development of independence skills in daily life.  

Position Overview: 

As a Lead Direct Support Professional (Lead DSP) at ALSO, you will be an essential part of the ALSO team, providing person-centered support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You’ll collaborate closely with the Services Manager and your team, offering advocacy, training, and support while growing your leadership skills and helping individuals thrive! This is an excellent opportunity to expand your leadership skills and learn more about service implementation, compliance, training, and oversight. This position is meant to be a stepping stone into service management and is an ideal promotional opportunity for people who are ready to take their next step in their careers!

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Relationship Building: Cultivate strong, supportive connections with people receiving services and provide backup support coverage when needed. 

  • Training & Development: Train new Direct Support Professionals on essential job duties and person-centered support practices. 

  • Compliance & Documentation: Ensure proper documentation (MAR, T-Logs, ISP data) is maintained to meet compliance standards. 

  • Direct Support: Assist with hygiene and medical support as needed, skills training, and daily living tasks both in the home and out in the broader community. 

  • Team Leadership: Serve as a resource for team members and act as a proxy for Service Managers during absences (sick leave, vacation, etc.). 

Qualifications: 

  • Flexibility: Ability to  provide coverage across day, swing, and graveyard shifts. Regular schedules will provided based on the needs of the people in services.

  • Strong Communication: Clear, effective communication in both documentation and collaboration with team members, managers, individuals supported, their families, and other providers. 

  • Advocacy: A deep commitment to promoting inclusion, autonomy, and the best interests of the people choosing services with ALSO. 

  • Leadership: Eagerness to cultivate your leadership skills, while also supporting the personal growth and development of the people you interact with. This position offers pathways to becoming a Services Manager as ALSO expands.  

  • Experience: 1+ years of prior experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a Direct Support Professional or similar role.  

Compensation & Benefits: 

  • Starting Pay:  $19.50 - $21 per hour based on experience, education, and Veteran status.

  • Paid Training: Earn while enhancing your skills. 

  • Paid Holidays: 10 days, including a special “YAY Day” for your birthday

  • Comprehensive Insurance: Health, dental, vision, and life insurance options

  • Generous Leave: Vacation and sick time accruals, Paid Time Off with payout option

  • Referral bonus: Up to $500 per referral! 

  • Retirement Plan: Generous employer-matching for traditional or Roth 401k 

  • Employee Assistance Program: 24/7 access to counseling, legal, financial advice, and more

  • Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts 

  • Employee Referral Bonuses & Recognition Program 

  • Career Development 

  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligible

Why Join ALSO? 

At ALSO, we do work of the heart. This meaningful work brings out the bold, the compassionate, and the passionate. By joining our team, you will play a crucial role in helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live fulfilling lives, achieve their goals, and become integral parts of their communities. Join us in making a real difference. Make Heart Work YOUR Work.

Advocates for Life Skills & Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and job applicants without regard to age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state and local law. 

Advocates for Life Skills and Opportunity

Our Work is Heart Work ALSO is one of Oregon’s nonprofit disability support services providers in the Portland Metro area, Deschutes County, Klamath County, Umatilla County, Josephine County, Jackson County and Harney County. Founded in 1997, we are committed to full community inclusion and independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We provide the best person-centered residential supported living services for individuals and families in their homes, workplaces and communities. We provide employment opportunities and services to ensure that the people we support live the life of their choosing. We see ability, not disability. Our work is Heart Work. Mission To promote the full inclusion of people experiencing disabilities in the life of their community. Vision ALSO envisions a future in which all people, including those living with developmental and other disabilities are fully included, participating members of their communities. We see equitable access to supports and services that reflect the preferences and values of diverse communities and that lead to self-determination, independence, productivity, and a healthy and satisfying quality of life. Diversity & Inclusion Statement We embrace the strength, creativity, and richness that comes from bringing unique perspectives and talents to everything we do. We honor and celebrate all backgrounds, standing up for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; empowering all advocates and partners to connect, belong, and grow. Values The values that guide our Heart Work to support individualized and personalized care for those we support and our team members: Trust — We are transparent, direct, and honest, fostering a safe and kind environment. Teamwork — We work in unison to support one another to unleash the power and potential of everyone. Innovation — We put imagination, creativity, and passion to work, embracing novel ways of doing and thinking.
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