State of Arizona Hiring for DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL at Globe, AZ Full Time

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team as a Direct Support Professional. This position requires an individual to coach, teach, mentor, and provide direct support to members who have Developmental Disabilities (i.e., autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, or epilepsy) ranging from mild to profound. The majority of services are designed to meet personal needs of members in group home settings.

Flexibility in schedule (i.e., work different shift, overtime, and change work locations) as these are 24-hour residential settings. Most schedules worknights, weekends and holidays. Requires lifting/carrying at least 50 lbs. and pushing/pulling at least 50 lbs.

Job Duties:
Supports and encourages members in mealtime preparation, technique and service in accordance with specialized diets and engages and interacts with members during mealtime. Occasionally prepares and cooks meals.

Implements Individual Support Plan (ISP) programs and strategies, records and occasionally compiles data, writes progress and communication notes. Encourages development of new skills while maintaining present skills

Implements therapeutic recommendations that may include positioning, sensory activities and exercises.

Provides recreational, medical and leisure opportunities at home and in the community. Drives a transport vehicle, operates a lift, if needed, assists members with safety requirements including seat belts and shoulder belts. Ensures safety and stability of a wheelchair in the vehicle using tie downs.

Completes incident reports and notifies the member’s guardian of the incident, if needed. Responds to members emergency situations by calling for assistance and providing emergency intervention until medical help arrives; assists in coordinating the emergency response plan and follows the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the member.

Orders, logs, dispenses, administers and stores medications of members according to doctor’s orders upon successful completion of the appropriate 16-hour medication technician or medication administration course.

Occasionally completes assigned light housekeeping duties (e.g., sweeping, mopping, dusting, bedmaking, empty trash, wash dishes, clothes washing, disinfecting therapy equipment and wheelchairs).

Maintains on-going inventory of each member’s personal belongings.

Supports members with purchases and accounting for their funds.

Other duties as assigned as related to the position

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of cleaning and basic housekeeping

Knowledge of human right

Knowledge or providing personal care

Knowledge of planning processes

Skills in communicating with members verbally and/or through sign language

Skills in advocating for members

Skills in participating in and implementing Individual Support Plans

Skills in using a computer, including email

Ability to read and write in English

Ability to attend staff training and apply the basic principles of program training and data collection designed to meet the specific needs of members including medication administration

Ability to learn and perform proper lifting techniques and general body mechanics

Ability to learn and use nutritional principles and special mealtime techniques

Ability to learn and apply behavior support technique

Selective Preference(s):
Applicant must be 18 years of age to apply and read and write English. Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and change work locations, when necessary.

Pre-Employment Requirements:
In-state travel is required. This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; however, mileage will be reimbursed.

Employees shall have a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-2758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.

Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.

Employment may be contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

Benefits:
We offer a competitive benefits package that is unmatched by the private sector and a culture that encourages team success and advocates for personal advancement.

• Affordable Health, Dental, Vision and Life and Disability Insurance
• 10 holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off – start earning it your 1st day
• Eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• Contribute to, and participate in the Arizona State Retirement System
• Ride Share and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Critical Services Premium Pay Stipend

This position may be eligible to receive a temporary stipend of 10% in addition to base pay beginning in December 2021. If eligible, the temporary stipend amount will be calculated using the employee’s base rate of pay and will be reflected in each paycheck. It is anticipated that this temporary stipend will be available through June 24, 2022.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:
State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for the life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us:
For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Dimakatso Achioso on 480-338-1996 or [email protected]. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 480-338-1996 or [email protected].

Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.