Direct Support Professional (Residential Group Home/Supervised Apartment Living)

Name/Organization: PCDI Title: Direct Support Professional (Residential Group Home/Supervised Apartment Living) Location: Princeton, NJ 08540 Salary: starting range $50,000 - $52,000 Description: Since 1977, Princeton Child Development Institute (PCDI) has provided compassionate support in neighborhood homes. Our residential program is expanding and our team is too. PCDI seeks a direct support professional (DSP) to assist adults with autism in one of our community-based group homes and supervised apartments. Our residences are located in towns surrounding Princeton including Plainsboro, NJ, Hopewell, NJ, and Pennington, NJ. Each home is supported by full-time live-in residential coordinators and/or a trainer/consultant who ensures consistent implementation of programming by each direct support professional (DSP). The direct support professional position (DSP) includes opportunities for long-term growth including career advancement, conducting and publishing research, and presenting at professional workshops and conferences. Responsibilities: Ensure the safety of those we support Establish comfortable and supportive relationships with residents and colleagues Create and maintain a home-like living and learning environment that enhances the quality-of-life experience for residents Exercise good judgment and remain calm when faced with a crisis Teach and assist in the development of learners’ instruction and treatment goals with special emphasis on home and community-living skills, social skills, and language and communication skills Use Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) principles and teaching strategies such as Practical Functional Assessment (PFA), Skill-based treatment (SBT) script and script-fading procedures, activity schedules, and zone supervision Drive residents to and from activities in a company-owned vehicle or your own vehicle Support residents with daily activities including leisure and recreational activities, medical appointments, and community outings Effectively manage time and productivity Communicate effectively with parents, siblings, neighbors, and colleagues Collect, summarize, and analyze ongoing data regarding skill acquisition and behavior management programs for learners Document all services provided in accordance with state and federal regulations Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, education, or related field is preferred Some experience working with people with autism or other developmental disabilities Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Has a valid driver’s license Pass extensive background checks Complete and pass required trainings including: CPR, Standard First Aid (SFA) Work within designated evening, overnight, and weekend hours Weekday Hours: Monday – Friday, 2pm -10pm ; Weekend Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 8am – 4pm or 2pm – 10pm ; Two days off per week, on average; Direct Support Professionals are assigned to 3 overnight shifts per month Working Environment/Physical Demands: Sitting, walking, standing, occasional running, some lifting, good fine and gross motor coordination when guiding learners, vision, hearing, receptive and expressive language abilities as suited to instructional and behavior needs of residents. Benefits: Medical and dental insurance for each employee and optional dependent coverage Vision insurance (voluntary coverage) Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Life and AD&D 403b Retirement (voluntary beginning Day 1, employer contribution beginning Year 3) Paid time off (8 days accrued per calendar year) Holidays and vacations, where eligible Tuition discount BCBA supervision Professional mentoring