Mission: Advancing community support and opportunities for people living with disabilities

Core Values: We believe each person should:

• Be included, respected, and valued.
• Have ongoing information, experiences, and expectations from which to make choices.
• Have a variety of relationships.
• Live and participate in the communities of their choice.
• Have a career, dreams for the future, and make meaningful contributions.

JOB TITLE: Support Specialist, Residential

Grade:  1

FLSA:  Non-Exempt

Revised: May 4, 2016

SUPERVISED BY: Team Leader I, Residential

Job Summary:  Provides support to individuals with disabilities in developing and/or maintaining skills that will enhance the quality of their lives in the community; assists with personal care, household tasks and daily routines; performs other job related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

1. Observe and respond to individuals physical, social, behavioral and personal needs;
2. Provide adequate supervision to individuals to facilitate their health and safety;
3. Will:

• Administer medication to consumers; ensure that administration is timely and in the right dosage;
• Transport consumers to and from appointments, community sites, etc.;
• Document consumer responses to programming
• Assist consumers prepare for their appointments, community activities, employment, etc.;
• Assist with the planning and implementation of daily activities;
• Prepare meals or assist with the preparation of meals;
• Assist with the daily household chores, to include but not limited to laundry, meal preparation and cleaning up;

1. Attend and participate in all relevant agency events, workshops, training and meetings;
2. Ensure responsible usage of consumer and agency resources, e.g. vehicles, buildings, finances, etc and
3. Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

1. Ability to gain working knowledge of St. John’s Community Services policies and procedures;
2. Ability to act as a representative of St. John’s Community Services to the public;
3. Ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with other staff members and individuals from diverse backgrounds;
4. Ability to pass a criminal background check;
5. Knowledge of acceptable food preparation and safety practices and procedures; and
6. Skilled in the operation of relevant computer systems, including hardware and software, and office machines.

Education and Experience:

1. High school diploma or G.E.D. required
2. Experience in community based programs preferred
3. Must meet SJCS and funding jurisdiction current requirements for criminal background/records check.
4. Valid health certificate to meet current funding jurisdiction requirements;
5. Valid state-issued driver’s license with current driving record in good standing preferred.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work may require lifting heavy objects up to 30 pounds.

Work environment involves risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions e.g. safely operating a motor vehicle; lifting, transferring and/or positioning consumers; exposure to aggressive human behavior; practices with office equipment; and/or avoidance of trips and falls.