Are you currently in the industry but ready to make a change of culture? LEAP has been in the Farmington Maine area for over 40 years and has an embedded culture of employee centric practices.

Are you looking for a career not a job? LEAP has an average tenure of 8.5 YEARS! We have a history of promoting (and filling open positions in other departments) from within and value each employee as the individuals they are.

Are you seeking to make a career change or are you just starting out your career? LEAP provides 100% of the training you need to have a successful career as a Direct Support Professional. In fact, we pay for over $1,200 in training and certifications that become part of YOUR resume for the rest of your life.

Are you ready to work each day for a cause versus a quota? At LEAP, you’ll not only have fun but you’ll also directly help other human beings live a more full and rewarding life. The impact of your daily tasks will be meaningful and significant to our supported individuals.

What’s it like to work with co-workers and management who have overflowing Karma bank accounts due to their good work? Why don’t you come find out? Apply today!

Organization:

For over 40 years, Life Enrichment Advancing People (LEAP) has been supporting people with developmental, cognitive and intellectual disability's to be actively involved in their communities. To this end we provide small group and individualized residential services, adult case management and training services. LEAP is a private nonprofit organization with a mission to empower people with disabilities to lead joyful lives with dignity, independence, and autonomy by providing comprehensive and individualized support. Our fundamental operating principle is to strive for each supported individual's fulfillment of physical wellbeing, self-expression, and experiences of joy.

Role: Direct Support Professional

As a Direct Support Professional with LEAP, you will provide support to a group of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These individuals live full time at one of our residential housing programs and you will deliver direct habilitation services in cooperation with managers and coworkers. This position will provide exceptional service to our supported individuals and engage in comprehensive and accurate reporting and record keeping. This position requires attention to detail, dependability, and a willingness to take on additional responsibilities as requested.

Success Factors for Direct Support Professional:

The key qualifications to be successful in this position will include the interest and ability to assist adults with IDD in day-to-day activities. A valid motor vehicle operator’s license and clean driving record allowing you to provide transportation in a company provided vehicle is required, and an ability to integrate with technology to complete reports in a timely and accurate manner is essential. The key soft skills used every day in this position will include reliability to work the shifts you commit to, dependability to arrive on time, ability to exercising good judgment in a variety of situations, an ability to consistently demonstrate empathy and patience, and the ability to build and maintain sustainable professional relationships with co-workers.

Essential Functions for Direct Support Professional in Farmington, Maine:

Note: Percentages are for illustrative purpose only and estimated using typical monthly averages.

90% of Time – Deliver direct habilitation services to the persons residing in the community home to include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supervise, assist, and instruct supported individuals in activities designed to enhance their independence.
• Protect individual’s rights by following proper procedures and regulations regarding interactions, behavior management, medications, etc.
• Participate in the person-centered planning (PCP) process for supported individuals and facilitate, attend, or supervise the activities to achieve the goals found within.
• Ensure appropriate provision of care and accurately document the implementation and results in a timely manner.
• Facilitate individual’s use of medical, therapeutic, and professional services by providing supervision and assistance during assessments and treatments as well as assisting individuals to follow through on recommendations.
• Assist supported individuals to care for their homes and personal possessions. When needed/directed, perform housekeeping tasks for resident’s who fail to do so. Report any unsafe conditions.
• Report any situations that might be interpreted as abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or exploitation of supported individuals.

5% of Time – General housekeeping, snow removal, vehicle upkeep and meal preparation.

5% of Time - Paperwork/reporting/attending meetings, participating in trainings and other tasks as assigned.

Position Context for Direct Support Professional:

This is a front-line position with no direct reports however providing guidance to supported individuals is required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Highschool degree or GED.

Experience:

• REQUIRED: Regulatory requirements state that individuals in this role must be 18 years or older.
• Preferred: 1 or more years’ experience in the exact role or similar role such such as Ed tech, CNA, BHP, PSS, Etc.,.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Always communicate to staff and supported individuals in an appropriate and positive manner.
• Consistently be reliable in your attendance and punctuality.
• Ability work with a diverse population and strong communications skills that enhance team morale.
• Complete work and articulate concerns to appropriate personnel in a timely and concise manner.

Benefits:

- Medical / Dental / Vision / Life and AD&D / Short- and Long-Term Disability / HSA (if working over 30hrs/wk)

• 401k with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off

- Tuition Reimbursement and over $1,000 of Company Paid Certification Training. - Employee referral bonuses and other variable compensation opportunities.

Work Conditions:

• Primary work will be at one or more of our residential sites in the Farmington & Turner areas.
• Our residential program at LEAP is a 24/7, 365-day operation. Various schedules are available based on the needs of the residential programs and requirements of the supported individuals who live there.
• There are no remote working opportunities for this role.
• No overnight travel required, some local travel within scheduled workday required.

Physical Requirements:

• Typical Work Conditions. Work is performed predominantly in a residential environment (e.g., single family home, apartment, etc.). Required to stand, walk, sit; talk to hear, both in person and on telephone; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects or controls; ability for visual and gestural communications; reach with hands and arms. Regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, twist torso and climb stairs.