Direct Support Professional - (Mornings 7:45am - 3:45pm)

Job Title: Direct Support Professional - Education
Reports to: Support Staff Supervisors & Director of Education
Department: Education
Compensation: Starting at $20 per hour

Company Overview:
Shrub Oak International School (www.shruboak.org) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co-occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers unparalleled educational opportunities for autistic students in a family-centric, supportive environment. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of students across the spectrum, and our curriculum is based on the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education.

Job Summary:
The Education Direct Support Professional (DSP) position is a year-round position reporting to the Supervisors and Director of Education and working directly with classroom teachers over the course of the academic day. They provide front line direct care to either a group of students or as a one-to-one in the educational environment. The education DSP is responsible for guiding and mentoring a student, providing academic support, handling crisis management, assisting with emergency response procedures, and collaborating with all members of the Shrub Oak staff. As a coach and mentor, they work closely with colleagues to create and maintain an inclusive community and foster specific skill development to meet the individualized needs of Shrub Oak’s student population. Having access to confidential information regarding Shrub Oak and its students, discretion and independent judgement is required.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Supports students under the direction of a Certificated Special Education Teacher
• Sets up and adapts materials, equipment, and assistive devices for use by students as directed
• Facilitates and supports students’ progress toward independence
• Monitors and assists students during educational and recreational activities
• Assists student with routine physical and/or personal care not required to be performed by a nurse
• Monitors and assists students in meeting IEP goals and objectives
• Maintains confidentiality of student information
• Participates in professional development meetings as needed and required
• Assists with administering, scoring, and recording of assessments
• Participates in crisis intervention as needed and appropriate, and proactively works with students in crisis to de-escalate situations as needed and required using SOIS protocol
• Attends to and reports all emergencies and/or other situations requiring immediate attention in a timely manner to the appropriate staff member(s) in accordance with Shrub Oak policies/procedures
• Works effectively in a team environment
• Attends IEP team meetings and staff meetings as directed and/or scheduled
• Ensures safety procedures are followed

• Required:
  • 1 year of work experience in a high-volume/demanding customer service or human service position (Required)
  • Crisis management and de-escalation experience (Preferred)
  • Customer service experience (Preferred)
  • High school diploma/GED or equivalent (Required)
  • At least 3 years of experience in a high-volume/demanding customer service or human service position; special consideration given to those with EMT/EMS, CNA/HHA/PCA, or similar experience (Preferred)
  • Experience handling aggressive clients/customers (Preferred)
  • Experience assisting with hygiene and personal care activities (Preferred)
  • Background working with adolescents/young adults on the autism spectrum or with developmental disabilities. (Preferred)
  • Experience managing challenging behaviors and applying crisis prevention-intervention strategies (Required)

• Exceptional written communication skills, specifically involving documentation, progress notes, incident reports, and other related administrative tasks
• Exceptional verbal communication skills
• Skilled in managing challenging behaviors and executing de-escalation techniques
• Ability and willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to display grit and resilience and maintain composure
• Strong ability to build relationships with students and peers
• Strong ability to process and retain information and to think critically and analytically during crisis
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced, unpredictable environment
• Ability to handle highly challenging behaviors, including those aggressive in nature
• Ability to get TCIS trained and complete/maintain all required trainings

• Insurance coverage: Health, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Paid time off (PTO)
• 401k w/ company match
• Tuition/Professional development assistance
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Employee discounts

Physical Requirements/Demands:
A workday regularly includes multiple or conflicting demands, deadlines and time pressures; work regularly requires sustained concentration. Standing for sustained periods of time, bending, stretching, walking up and down stairs (building has 6 floors), around a hilly campus as needed, may also require walking between floors or between buildings at a moment’s notice. May need to lift/move boxes up to 25 pounds and move/rearrange furniture.

Work Environment:
Located in Mohegan Lake, NY. We are a boarding school located on a 127-acre campus. The work environment will include both indoor and outdoor spaces, mostly inside the classroom or educational environment. May include work within the residential setting. The building has 6 floors accessible by staircases and elevators.

EEO Statement:
Shrub Oak is an equal employment opportunity employer. Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of their job. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.

Please note:
SOIS maintains a smoke-free environment to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees, and community. Smoking or vaping of any kind is strictly prohibited indoors, outdoors, and during off-campus activities, with enforcement measures in place including smoke/vape detectors. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.