Direct Support Professional

Name/Organization: PCDI

Title: Direct Support Professional (Life Skills Coach)

Location: Princeton, NJ 08540

Salary: minimum of $51,000

About PCDI:

In 1986, Princeton Child Development Institute (PCDI) embarked upon the development of a model for adult programming. Today, the Life Skills program provides personal and career-development services to young adults with autism. Individuals enter the work force in jobs such as building maintenance, food service, merchandising, and data entry. Our program also promotes expansion of skills in areas such as physical fitness, money management, leisure and recreation, speech and language, self-care, and home and community skills.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Survey, December 2022: 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed or underemployed. As of July 2022, 79% of PCDI adults are employed for 20 hours or more per week.

Description: PCDI seeks a Direct Support Professional (Life Skills Coach) for our supported-employment program for adults with autism in Princeton, NJ and the surrounding area. The Direct Support Professional (Life Skills Coach) will teach new skills using Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) principles and teaching strategies, and will receive support from a trainer/consultant who ensures consistent implementation of programming. This position includes opportunities for long-term growth including career advancement, conducting and publishing research, and presenting at professional workshops and conferences.

Responsibilities of Direct Support Professional (Life Skills Coach):

• Ensure the safety of those we support
• Establish comfortable and supportive relationships with learners and colleagues
• Create and maintain a supportive and professional work environment for learners
• 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, language and communication skills, physical fitness, and employment skills
• Drive residents to and from employment sites in a company-owned vehicle
• Effectively manage time and productivity
• Communicate effectively with parents, siblings, work-site employers and employees, 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 of Direct Support Professional (Life Skills Coach):

• Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, education, or related field, 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, SFA, and professionalism
• Regular work hours are weekdays from 8:00am – 4:00pm. Occasional availability for late afternoons and evenings on weekdays and some daytimes and evenings on weekends.

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 (approximately 10 days per year)
• Relocation assistance
• Tuition discount
• BCBA supervision
• Professional mentoring

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 learners.