We are a private day and boarding school located in northern Westchester County, New York, serving the needs of an international coed population of children, adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum. Connect to a career, where passion & purpose combine...

If you’re passionate about working with and mentoring students on the Autism Spectrum --- Come join our team!

What are we looking for?

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a year-round, non-live-in position.  In collaboration with the Director of respective departments, the DPS provides front line direct care and administrative support for daily operations. The DSP is responsible for guiding and mentoring students, assisting with emergency response procedures, and collaborating with all members of the Shrub Oak staff. As an educator and mentor, the DSP works closely with colleagues to create/maintain an inclusive community and foster specific skill development to meet the individualized needs of Shrub Oak’s student population. Having access to confidential information regarding Shrub Oak and its students, discretion and independent judgement is required. The DSP also actively assists with other programs, events, and services administered through Campus Life or Education, and have the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of responsibilities. 

Required Skills – Competencies – Qualifications 

• Manage the day-to-day direct care needs, operations and programs.

• Serve as a liaison between department and other key offices pertinent to the day-to-day operations.

• Develop and maintain trusting, respectful relationships with students, including understanding his/her unique interests, needs and goals, as well as the student body generally, to maintain a positive and cooperative environment  

• Explain, enforce and support all policies and procedures to students ensuring an inclusive and respectful community, all to promote self-advocacy, collaboration, and independence  

• Complete administrative tasks, including but not limited to, assisting with shift logs, maintenance requests, incident reports, behavior intervention plans and progress tracking  

• Proactively work with students in crisis to de-escalate situations using SOIS protocol

• Attend to and report all emergencies and/or other situations requiring immediate attention in a timely manner to the appropriate staff member(s) in accordance with Shrub Oak policies/procedures  

• Facilitate on-campus and off-campus programming and community development based on the needs of each student outlined by the student’s ITEP, faculty, clinicians or Campus Life model  

• Advise, support and mentor students on various life skills and issues collaborating with faculty and clinicians as necessary and follow up with all issues regularly  

• Support the individualized ITEP and other developmental goals for each student, collaborating with the ITEP team including documenting efforts and progress  

• Serve as a campus and community resource for students and staff by advising and providing guidance in planning programs, activities, academic support  

• Develop, present, track, and evaluate educational programs for students  

• Collaborate with departmental staff to ensure all students maintain a regular and appropriate schedule of events and daily living activities  

• Attend all required meetings and seminars as scheduled, including all staff orientation/training   

• Support other department responsibilities as needed and determined  

Education and Experience 

• 1 year minimum of relevant professional experience required; previous experience working in a school and particularly a boarding program a plus. 

• Relevant combination of post-secondary education and/or experience working with special needs populations as a DPS, Social Worker, Recreational Therapist, Registered Behavioral Technician, Behavioral Specialist or a related position.  

• Experience working with adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum.

• Experience working with individuals exhibiting challenging behaviors.  

• Experience working cross-functionally in a transdisciplinary program to consistently support our students.

• Ability to speak multiple languages is a plus 

Location: Mohegan Lake, NY 10547

Pay: $23/hour

Perks: Benefits package including health*, vision, dental, and life insurance, tuition assistance, Paid Time Off (PTO), and more!

Physical Demands

Physical demands may include but are not limited to sitting and require walking or standing to a significant degree. Lifting/carrying boxes up to 25 pounds, and the ability to rearrange furniture for events is occasionally required.    

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Weekday mornings/afternoon/evenings/overnights and weekends shifts.  Full-time and part-time positions may be available.  Full-time staff work a traditional 40-hour work week. Your manager will discuss the shift hours, which could be day, evening and/or weekends.

EEO Statement

Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of his/her job. Please advise us if you require reasonable accommodation.

Shrub Oak International School maintains a smoke-free environment to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees and community. Smoking or vaping of any kind is strictly prohibited indoors, outdoors, and during off-campus activities, with enforcement measures in place including smoke/vape detectors. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action disciplinary action including termination. 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. A complete job description is available upon request.

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