Residential Direct Support Professional

An opportunity to provide leadership and service to others while gaining invaluable professional experience in Human and Disability Services.

Interested candidates must complete our online application in order to be considered: https://ramapoforchildren.org/about/jobs-careers/ramayear/ramayear-application/

Partake in an immersive, residential experience working for the Staff Assistant Experience program, a residential transition-to-independence program for young adults with disabilities on our beautiful, 250-acre campus in Rhinebeck, NY. DSPs work directly with participants to help them gain the skills necessary to move on to college, employment, and/or independent living. This is a full-time, residential position involving shifts 5 days/week that could be from either 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. or 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. on weekdays and/or weekends.

Responsibilities:

• Support participants in improving lagging social, emotional, independent living, and job skills.
• Build positive relationships, model appropriate behaviors, adapt activities and experiences for individual needs, and respond to issues that arise.
• Teach appropriate social skills and independent living skills
• Facilitate skill-building and educational workshops for participants.
• Teach job skills by orienting Staff Assistants to vocational tasks on and off campus (gardening, farm animal care, food service, maintenance, housekeeping, sales/retail, clerical support, camp counseling/youth recreation, etc.).
• Help organize, lead, and supervise on- and off-campus recreation activities and transport participants to off-campus activities or perform errands to obtain supplies/materials using a Ramapo vehicle.

What You'll Gain:

• A foundation for careers in Human Services, such as Social Work, Special Education, and Occupational Therapy.
• Access to Ramapo’s professional network that includes year-round staff members, staff alumni, and board members in related fields.
• Intensive, hands-on experience with young adults with disabilities.
• Exceptional facilitation, coaching, and relationship-building skills.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in a related field, or interest in pursuing education in a related field.
• Ability to live in residence on Ramapo’s Rhinebeck, NY campus for a minimum of 12-15 months.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Motivation and interest in Ramapo’s mission.
• Experience in youth development, special education, community development, and/or adventure education is a plus.