Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the world? Are you compassionate, patient, and understanding? Do you have excellent communication and interpersonal skills? Do you have problem-solving and decision-making skills?

If YES, we are looking for people like you to join our team!

** ABOUT US:**

ARCO, A COMMUNITY RESOURCE is a nonprofit United Way agency dedicated to providing support and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families throughout northeast Louisiana since 1954. Our mission is to empower individuals with I/DD to lead fulfilling and independent lives through our supported living services, vocational services, and community ventures services. We recognize our participants can learn and enjoy growing their skills and knowledge. When provided the correct supports in their overall day-to-day needs, functions, and activities they can live their lives as full community citizens and with fully vested rights.

** JOB DESCRIPTION:**

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Direct Support Worker (DSW) employee to join our team. DSWs are responsible for providing support and assistance to individuals with I/DD. The DSW provides participants with the support needed to learn to become self-supportive, to engage in activities and to provide repetition of learning opportunities helping to develop communication, self-care, and decision-making skills. DSW employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our goals and make a positive impact by increasing the participants’ independence and involvement in the community.

To be a successful you must:

Be available to work a part-time set shift during the 24-hours Monday-Sunday. The days worked and number of hours per shift may vary, but will be the same each week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure participants receive support to safely complete their day-to-day schedules
• Assist with personal hygiene and grooming, light housecleaning, meal preparation, shopping and errands, medical appointments, medication administration and other activities
• Assist in maintaining an organized, clean and safe household for the well-being of participants
• Plan and implement engaging activities to promote socialization and community involvement
• Handle and use adaptive equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, lifts, etc.
• Document participants’ daily activities

** HIRING REQUIREMENTS:**

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Able to pass a complete criminal record/background check and pre-employment drug screen
• Provide a current, valid driver’s license (no suspensions or blocks) and social security card
• Have a dependable vehicle for use on the job and be able to provide evidence of insurance, registration, and vehicle inspection
• Possess good writing skills and have the ability to use a computer (PC) and tablet
• Be comfortable working with various participants who may have a variety of disabilities and various levels of competency and dependency
• Must have a general knowledge of community resources, personal health and personal/home safety, financial matters (i.e. general banking/budgeting skills), as well as basic nutrition with the ability to cook
• Be able to perform the physical requirements of the job
• Previous DSW experience preferred, but not required

** TO APPLY:**

• Visit the ARCO office at 3101 Mercedes Drive in Monroe, Monday-Friday from 8:30am – 4:00pm
• Bring your driver’s license and social security card
• Fully complete the paper ARCO application

Thank you for considering this opportunity to join our team and contribute to our mission, please submit your application today. We look forward to hearing from you!

(A full Job Description and list of Essential Functions are available at ARCO's Human Resource Department, 3101 Mercedes Dr., Monroe, LA. ARCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.)