Direct Support Professional

If you are a current YAI employee, please click this link to apply through your Workday account.

About the Position: 

We are hiring a Direct Support Professional for our residential Cypress Hills (Brooklyn) and Ozone Park/Howard Beach (Queens) locations. The ideal candidate possesses a wide range of skills and is eager to promote YAI's mission of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, love, work, and learn in their communities. 

DSPs work closely with people of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Depending on the support needed, DSPs may work in a person’s home, in their family’s home, in a YAI residence, at a day habilitation center, or out in the community. 

Our employees are our most valuable assets. You will take part in strengthening and evolving our workplace culture, and we hope you will feel welcomed and supported from the moment you join our team. We offer work-life balance, growth opportunities, and innovative benefits. 

YAI's Mission: 

Ready to join our 4,000+ employees in a career at YAI? 

Working at YAI means effecting real change in people's lives. It means going home at the end of the day knowing you have helped someone accomplish a goal. If you want a career supporting others, creatively finding solutions to life's challenges, and building a more inclusive community, YAI is the place for you!  

Join us in our mission to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, love, work, and learn in their communities. Learn more at yai.org/careers. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• To provide direct care services as needed. This includes, but is not limited to, the provision of counseling, training in ADLs (Assisted Daily Living skills), assistance with personal care, medical, dietary, social, sexual, recreational, financial, habilitative and other needs within the program and in the community. 

• Ensure the health, safety, and wellness of the people we support. 

• Support with intimate care functions. 

• Build and maintain positive relationships. 

• Participating in development of treatment plans. 

• Crisis intervention and management. 

• Completing mandatory training based on the program and position (AMAP, CPR/First Aid, SCIP-R, Defensive Driving, etc.), as well as applying soft skills. 

• Meeting, demonstrating, and modeling OPWDD Core Competencies. 

• Assist the people we support in maximizing their strengths, interests, and abilities through teaching, self-advocacy, and emotional support. 

• Facilitate community integration, recreational activities, and socialization. 

• Completing documentation to ensure compliance and billing. 

• Training/presenting to a team. 

• Taking on additional tasks outside of basic DSP work and completing job related tasks as needed. 

Education and Experience:   

• High School Diploma or GED preferred 

• Valid NYS Driver’s License required for most positions 

• Work or life experience in the I/DD field is a plus, but not mandatory (for DSP 1 positions). For DSP 2 positions, at least 2 years’ work experience in the I/DD field.  

• Good written and verbal communication   

• Basic computer knowledge   

• Tuberculosis test and background check mandatory 

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:   

• Interpersonal and problem-solving skills   

• Willing to take initiative   

• Ability to support people with I/DD through patient and compassionate care 

Schedule: 

• Full-time (40 hours/week) or Part-time (8-32 hours/week) 

• Weekday and/or weekend positions available 

• Morning (7a-3p), evening (3p-11p), and overnight (11p-7a) schedules available 

Benefits: 

• DailyPay available - Work today, get paid today! 

• Tuition reimbursement 

• Medical and dental insurance - with options for family and more extensive medical plans, as well as vision (for full-time positions) 

• Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time (depending on time type) 

• 403(b) retirement with employer matching contributions 

• Life insurance and long-term disability 

• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more. Check out our benefits page to learn more! 

Compensation: 

• $18.50/hour (starting) to $19.05/hour (depending on experience – see Education & Experience above) 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.