Direct Support Professional Instructor

Job Purpose

The Direct Support Professional Instructor guides students through available curriculum resources designed for achievement of the Certificate of Initial Proficiency (CIP) through the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (OADSP) as well as the Certificate of Completion for Pre-Apprenticeship. The Direct Support Professional Instructor also develops supplemental teaching materials as needed to promote learning; coordinates all student assessment / progress activities, module testing, and earning of e-badges.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary job duties and responsibilities:

• Provides students with daily briefings on work to be completed during class or the day’s activities.
• Instructs students through work assignments/monitors and coaches their progress toward assignment / credential completion.
• Creates a learning plan that paces student learning to achieve credentialing in a reasonable amount of time and consistent with curriculum expectations.
• Periodically evaluates students learning and provides specific, accurate and substantive feedback as to each student’s progress.
• Prepares progress reports and report cards as required by school policy or law.
• Ensures all teaching materials, supplies, and equipment are readily available and in good repair with any updates downloaded in a timely manner so that students have access to all 20 modules as e-badge activities as needed.
• Develops Project-Based Learning (PBL) activities in which students learn to provide skills of professionalism, especially the providing of dignity and respect to individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.
• Instructs subjects in an effective manner relative to the multiplicity of cultures and ability levels.
• Uses sound instructional strategies, techniques, activities, media, and demonstrate skills consistent with student needs and instructional goals.
• Establishes professional rapport with students by demonstrating their worth and dignity while communicating responsibility and citizenship expectations.
• Vigilant in protecting the confidentiality of students, guarding against inappropriate statements or release of information.
• Maintains professional certification and/or licensure through ongoing training and education as needed.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, committees and scheduled training as required.
• Completes required documentation and responds to specific internal informational requests in a timely and complete manner.
• Manages classroom/worksite activities in a manner that stimulates learning, teamwork, and developmental skills including punctuality and attendance.
• Maintains standards of appropriate behavior through fair and just progressive corrective actions.
• Refers formal disciplinary issues to counselors and/or administrators for disposition.
• Conducts themself in a manner which demonstrates positive role model attributes of responsible adulthood in all realms of employment, including punctuality, reliability, professional behavior, emotional stability, and sound judgment as part of teaching ethics and community relations.
• Behaves in a cooperative and constructive manner; participate and contribute to team meetings, follow all policies, state, local, federal, and other applicable laws, and guidelines; comply with any and all job-specific requirements.

Qualifications, Education and Experience

Necessary and desirable qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Must have a passion for improving educational opportunities for urban students and for building a strong, mission-driven organization.
• Commitment to continued personal and professional growth, and a commitment to the company’s mission, vision, and growth.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• No restrictions in securing an Ohio Department of Education vocational teacher license or permit.
• Stays current regarding innovations and advancements in the field to help prepare students to appropriately enter the workforce.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum development, instructional strategies, and educational trends.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Familiarity with relevant educational standards and regulations.
• Education Preferred:
• Associate or bachelor’s Degree in a related field, such as social work, psychology, special education, or human services.
• Experience Preferred:
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a setting that serves individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.
• Preferred experience in teaching, case management, coaching or human services field.

Working Conditions

This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment. The employee may be required to deal with students with behavioral risks.

Physical Requirements

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; and significant fine finger dexterity.

Reasonable accommodations can be made to employees with qualified disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the job, so long as there is no undue hardship created upon the organization or other employees within the organization.

Supervision Received

Occasional, minimal guidance, but follows established work methods.

Direct Reports

None.

Conclusion

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed within this job. However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, qualifications, or physical demands associated with the position.