Direct Support Professional

Be a Tar Heel!

The Direct Support Professional for IDD position is located at the Carolina Living and Learning Center (CLLC), just north of Pittsboro and next door to Chatham Park, where a variety of new amenities are now available (e.g., Lowe’s Foods, People’s Coffee, Greek Kouzina, the Refuel station). We’re at the intersection of peaceful country living and busy modern life, where we can take advantage of both lifestyles. On our 79 acres, we serve 15 autistic adults with higher support needs. They live in two homes on our beautiful farm, where we also have a barn, a potting shed, and a greenhouse to provide plenty of year-round activities. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to serve this unique, vulnerable population, while collaborating with our dedicated and compassionate staff. We are a diverse community, united by our desire to make a difference in the lives of our residents. There is no more meaningful way to use your professional skills. Plus, we have plenty of free parking and a commitment to work-life balance. Come and join our community!

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The TEACCH Autism Program began in 1972 as a system of university-based regional centers to serve children, adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. As part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the program has an active clinical, teaching, and research program. TEACCH operates seven community regional clinics across the state. Each center offers a set of core services along with unique demonstration programs meeting the needs of individuals with ASD, their families, and professionals across the state of North Carolina. Also, part of TEACCH are the Carolina Living and Learning Center, a residential/vocational training facility for autistic adults as well as an Employment Services program providing Job Coaching and related services to adults on the spectrum.

TEACCH is part of the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program and faculty are actively involved in student and professional training activities within the state, nation, and across the world. All TEACCH programs are coordinated through a central administration and research unit in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

TEACCH provides clinical services such as diagnostic evaluations, psychotherapy, speech language therapy, and parent support groups. In addition, TEACCH conducts training nationally and internationally and provides consultation for teachers, residential care providers, and other professionals from a variety of disciplines. Research activities include clinical trials intervention and implementation studies.

This position is located at the Carolina Living and Learning Center in Pittsboro, NC.

Position Summary

A SIGN-ON BONUS OF $1,200 IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID IN 2 INSTALLMENTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF HIRE $600.00 WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE AND $600.00 12 MONTHS AFTER HIRE DATE.

**See Eligibility for Sign-On Bonus in Special Instructions

This position is a direct care staff member who works hands-on with autistic adults with higher support needs in this residential/vocational facility to provide active treatment in the areas of self-help, communication, social and leisure skills, vocational skills, behavioral support and independence.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Since this position is a direct care staff member who works with autistic adults with higher support needs, individuals in this position must have the highest standards for ethical care of this vulnerable population, demonstrating integrity, reliability, and a deep commitment to maintaining the best possible quality of life for our residents. This position also requires the skill and desire to work well as part of a team, the demonstrated capacity to give and receive clear communication, and the emotional maturity to benefit from constructive feedback. We will provide the necessary training specific to our context so that the staff member becomes competent in person-centered care and the day-to-day implementation of the TEACCH model.

The essential skills needed for this position include the ability to directly supervise adults with autism, the ability to provide assistance to them with all their daily needs including personal care, the ability to provide active treatment in the home and on the farm, the ability to protect clients’ rights, the ability to prevent and respond to problem behaviors, the ability to document clients’ activities and behaviors, and the ability to help with upkeep of the house and grounds. This position requires the staff member to supervise and participate in both indoor and outdoor recreation activities on the farm and during community outings. The selected candidate may be required to undergo fingerprinting and a national background check.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Professional and/or caregiving experience with autistic, disabled, and/or senior adults is preferred. The ideal candidate has experience with both autism and dementia.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

This position requires the ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions and the ability to assist with the upkeep of the houses, gardens, and grounds, with or without accommodation. It should be noted that there is a great deal of physical effort involved in this position; it requires staff be able to stoop, bend, travel across distances on uneven ground, push, pull, and lift with or without accommodation.

This position has been designated as essential to University operations. Employees in this position are considered Mandatory Employees of the University, meaning they are required to work during adverse weather conditions. This position is also a CDME (Communicable Disease Mandatory Employee) and required to work during a State of Emergency Order.