DSP: College to Career Instructor

Tierra’s mission is to empower people with disabilities to fulfill their potential and desire to become productive citizens who are accepted, included and valued for the contributions they make to the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the community. No one plays a more important role in our mission than our DSPs, who work as partners, teachers, ambassadors, advocates, supporters, and so much more to our clients.

One key group of DSPs are our College to Career Instructors, who work specifically in Tierra’s college to career training curriculum (NEXUS). We support clients on local college campuses (LAVC, Pierce, Mission, COC, CSUN) as well as various internship sites located throughout the San Fernando Valley. (MTA travel may be required for some locations.)

Job tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Provide small group and one-on-one training of individuals in specific educational supports, job skills and general college/work behaviors
• Ensure that all assigned academic projects and priorities are consistently completed according to college standards and expectations
• Maintain regular communication with professors regarding their satisfaction with the student’s performance
• Conduct educational analysis of needed study, writing, and executive functioning skills in cooperation with the SSD office and/or college professors
• Organize and plan a week, monthly or semester of scheduled activities and training opportunities in accordance with a pre-set NEXUS curriculum
• Assist in conduct workshops as designed by the NEXUS curriculum
• Assist with all transition activities between the phases of NEXUS as well as out into the workforce
• Assist with the celebrations of successful curriculum mastery and/or transitions including but not limited to presenting to large audiences
• Provide supervision and training to clients in community access skills
• Provide supervision and training to clients in self-advocacy and social/leisure skills
• Provide mobility training
• Assist clients in accessing a variety of community locations using company/personal vehicles/public transportation
• Other duties as assigned

Specific Job Requirements:

• Clear communication and the ability to write notes, interact with managers, clients and client’s family, maintain and develop Individual Service Plans and facilitate client self-advocacy and choice making opportunities.
• The ability to lead small group and one-on-one training,
• Flexibility in accommodating the client’s schedule,
• Three years of good driving experience, a valid California driver’s license, personal vehicle with seatbelts to safely accommodate up to 4 passengers, and vehicle insurance is also required.
• Candidate must have a sincere desire to help others be successful.
• This position requires dedication, good judgement, and quick problem solving skills.
• High School Diploma or higher. A Bachelor’s degree in the field of Social Service/Rehabilitation is a plus.
• The ideal candidate will also have experience in supporting and training clients in areas of community integrated employment, volunteerism, access, inclusion, and relationship building, and have skill in conducting job analysis, in cooperation with employers.
• The ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment while teaching clients skills in critical areas required for successful access to the community (including: vocational training, customer service, public transportation training, etc.)

DSPs are typically scheduled to work 37 hours per week. Hours and duties are subject to change based on program needs and may include weekends, holidays and evening hours to meet client, employer and stakeholder expectations. Staff will have a 30 minute working lunch when actively supporting clients with a working lunch agreement on file.

WHAT WE OFFER

STARTING RATE OF $22.00 PER HOUR

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• 403B Savings

PAID TIME OFF

• Two weeks’ vacation
• Personal
• Sick

OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH

Tierra offers a wide variety of DSP and management-level opportunities

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Tierra is committed to ensuring each and every staff member feels focused, recognized, and challenged via:

• Weekly check-ins via Stand Out platform
• Monthly Department meetings
• Annual DSP Week celebration
• Annual New Year Kickoff party
• Annual Health Fair

BONUS OPPORTUNITIES

Bonus opportunities are available for employees who refer others to work for Tierra del Sol.

INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TRAINING/TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS, INCLUDING:

• First Aid/CPR Training
• NADSP E-Badge Academy: Tierra proudly offers all staff members who are interested, an opportunity to advance in their professional development and showcase their accomplishments with this accredited online training program through The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals Foundation.
• Open Future Learning: Accredited online training recognized by The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals.
• Handle with Care Behavior Management System: This federally approved two-part training system provides staff with verbal-intervention and physical-intervention techniques that focus on empowering individuals experiencing a crisis to regain control through support from trained personnel.
• Therap Experience: National leader in Web-Based Developmental Disabilities Software. Therap is a web-based application suite that was designed to provide a comprehensive solution for organizations supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

JOIN TIERRA DEL SOL FOUNDATION AND HELP MAKE A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTION EVERYDAY WHILE WORKING IN A FRIENDLY AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT!