For more than six decades, Familylinks has been dedicated to serving the diverse individuals and families of Western Pennsylvania. In the past year alone, we extended our care to over 9,000 people spanning all age groups, residing in various neighborhoods, representing different income levels, and holding diverse beliefs. Our mission is to positively impact lives through integrated community, behavioral, and social programs. We can only achieve this with dedicated and passionate individuals who want to make an impact in the community and in the lives of the individuals we serve. To achieve this unwavering support, Familylinks provides a wide range of family-centered services in the areas of Behavioral Health, Service Coordination, Youth and Family, and Aging Services. 

The Direct Support Professional is part of our Youth & Family Services department. The role of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) encompasses fostering independence, aiding youth with daily living activities, executing individualized goals determined by each youth, maintaining precise records, supporting activities that promote a healthy lifestyle, and offering transportation for appointments and community excursions.

Extras of joining our team:

Insurance

• Four Highmark insurance plans for you and your family to choose from
• Free vision insurance with the option for additional coverage
• Free dental insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Employer sponsored life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Insurance

Professional

• $2,000 sign on bonus (full-time only)
• Extensive Employee Training
• Three weeks of PTO in your first year
• Eight paid holidays
• Employee referral bonus program
• 403(b) retirement plan matching contributions
• Tuition reimbursement and educational stipend
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  

$15.00 - $18.00 + $2,000 Signing Bonus

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed care and supervision to youth, with an emphasis on maintaining a home-like atmosphere that promotes youth development and safety while complying with facility and property maintenance standards as defined by the agency and by external regulatory and contractual parties.
• Work with multi-systems youth ages 9-21 in a specialized setting.
• Promote healthy, professional, and teaching relationships with youth in all daily living activities, within the residential facility and in the community.
• Participate in the deployment of all service components, including referral and intake, assessment, service planning and delivery, and discharge, as indicated and/or as directed.
• Complete requisite documentation in a timely and accurate manner, in accordance with all governing policies and procedures.
• Anticipate and/or intervene directly in crises, using approved behavior management and crisis intervention techniques, including but not limited to: de-escalation techniques, active listening, conflict resolution, proximity control, body language, and individual and/or group strategies.
• Provide transportation to appointments, in accordance with agency policies and legal mandates.
• Comply with all licensing regulations, contractual requirements, accreditation standards, and agency policies and procedures related to behavior supports and management and to staff training, practices and documentation involving use of emergency measures, restrictive procedures and alternatives to coercive treatment of youth.
• Maintain confidentiality and sensitive information in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and other privacy laws.

Working Conditions

• May be required to travel to Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) for in-person trainings.
• Work directly with youth ages 9 – 21 that are currently involved with child protective services, and have been identified as having experienced or at-risk of experiencing commercial sexual exploitation and/or sex trafficking.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and or carrying objects weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Position may involve pushing, pulling and reaching as well as long periods (four to eight hours) of walking and standing.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays; overtime opportunities apply to this position.

• Working knowledge of child/adolescent development.
• Experience working directly with youth preferred.
• High school diploma/GED required.
• Valid driver’s license.

Working Conditions

• May be required to travel to Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) for in-person trainings
• Work directly with youth ages 9 – 21 that are currently involved with child protective services, and have been identified as having experienced or at-risk of experiencing commercial sexual exploitation and/or sex trafficking.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and or carrying objects weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Position may involve pushing, pulling and reaching as well as long periods (four to eight hours) of walking and standing.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays; overtime opportunities apply to this position.

Familylinks takes pride in its status as an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policies, applicable to both current team members and prospective candidates, prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, transgender identity, gender transition, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status.

Familylinks is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider

Not quite a fit for you? Check out our other openings at https://www.familylinks.org/careers