Life’s WORC, a Garden City-based nonprofit that provides comprehensive support to people with intellectual disabilities and autism, is seeking a few good direct support professionals to work with their clients.
The agency seeks candidates with prior experience assisting persons with intellectual disabilities and/or autism who are able to support their clients with daily activities, lift an adult using a two-person lift and adaptive equipment, and complete the medication administration course and annual recertification.
“At Life’s WORC we know that in order to help people with disabilities live their best life, it takes a special staff,” the company said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that our staff are the best that they can be by providing paid training and a generous benefits package.”
The nonprofit has 42 residential locations across Long Island and New York City supporting more than 2,000 people with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Direct support professionals’ key responsibilities are providing oversight to people living in the residences, implementing person-centered residential habilitation plans, training and supporting each person in accordance with the individual personalized program plan, and safely driving agency vans.
Qualifications are a high school diploma or equivalent, valid New York State driver’s license, excellent verbal and written communications skills, willingness to learn electronic document programs and services, and having a flexible schedule that allows for working beyond a normal shift.
Life’s WORC offers a benefits packages worth up to $28,000, along with a comprehensive professional development program available to all employees, the agency said. Benefits include affordable health insurance, 100 percent company-paid dental insurance, a generous paid time-off policy, a pension plan/403(b) with a company match, student loan repayment, tuition and textbook reimbursement, opportunities for advancement, bonuses, and a paid professional development program.
Residents of the homes and their families have sung the praises of the staffers who go above and beyond for their clients.
“My daughter Jackie has such a wonderful one-on-one support professional to work with her,” the parent of a resident of one home said about staffer Sabine Cadet. “Sabine is so patient with Jackie and really understands what she is all about. This is the second summer that Sabine accompanied Jackie on her vacation, and Jackie feels very comfortable with her and they can have fun together.”
The parents of another resident named Peter shared a similar sentiment toward staffer Maria Turner.
“Maria has been accompanying Peter to his various physician appointments,” the parent said. ”She knows he loves music and will play tapes of various performers he likes as well as Broadway shows. They will sing together on their trips and this reinforces his speech. All of his physicians have remarked to me how Peter and Maria connect, which is fantastic. They all have mentioned how thorough her notes are, as it makes their job easier. When she leaves their offices, the staff will say they look forward to seeing her again. She is fantastic.”
To apply, visit lifesworc.org/career
Editor’s note: Life’s WORC was founded by Victoria Schneps-Yunis, president of Schneps Media, the parent company of Long Island Press.
