Job Description

Access Services is hiring a Community Participation Supports Lead Direct Support Professional to work with a team that supports adults with intellectual disabilities and autism to build meaningful, connected lives in their communities

Community Participation Supports (CPS) is a person-centered service designed to help individuals develop interpersonal, communication, daily living, and work-related skills while exploring community connections, volunteer opportunities, educational experiences, and pathways to greater independence.

As a Lead DSP, you will serve as both a direct support professional and a key resource for your team. In this role, you will provide direct support in homes and throughout the community. Working closely with the Supervisor, you will assist with onboarding, training, coaching, staff support, and program compliance while helping to ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality, person-centered services. You will support the implementation of each individual's Plan of Care and Person-Centered Support Plan, promote a positive team culture, and collaborate with families, community partners, and fellow professionals to provide exceptional support.

This position offers a dynamic combination of community-based work, leadership responsibilities, and meaningful relationship-building.

Because services are provided in the community, regular travel is an essential part of this role. The primary service areas include Lehighton, Pottsville, and Bartonsville, and candidates must have access to a reliable personal vehicle and meet Access Services' driving requirements. Access Services provides mileage reimbursement for work-related travel.

Essential Functions

• Assist the Supervisor with onboarding, training, and client coverage needs.
• Promote, support, and encourage current trends and/or philosophies within the Human Services field in accordance with Access Services’ philosophies.
• Assist the Supervisor with ensuring compliance with all local, county, and state regulatory agencies.

• Collaborate with the Supervisor when coaching other DSPs on their performance.

• Foster a positive, team-oriented attitude among all fellow coworkers to facilitate work toward the completion of the agency’s goals.

• Evaluate potential risks in daily operations and develop proactive responses to avoid problems.

• Communicate effectively with the Supervisor and other staff members and continuously work on improving communication channels.

• Present a positive and professional image to others including funding sources, parents and families of the individuals served by Access Services, staff members of other agencies, representatives of other professional services, and the community at large.

• Work shifts to provide direct support, assigned by the Supervisor, with the highest degree of dependability. Provide personal care and support to individuals served when indicated.

• Facilitate and conduct the implementation of the Plan of Care and the Person-Centered Support Plan to help meet individuals’ needs as outlined.

• Provide the highest quality of care to individuals in helping them meet their needs and goals.

• Work cooperatively with the Supervisor in the areas of supervision of other employees and their development.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with personnel from other agencies for quality delivery of services to individuals we serve.
• Provide accurate, timely communication to The Supervisor regarding the individual and family to help ensure appropriate services and solutions.
• This position requires the ability to travel during the course of a normal workday to successfully carry out the expectations of this position.

Requirements

The selected candidate must meet all qualifying and ongoing job criteria including background checks, physical examination, and a driving history record.

Driving Requirements:

• A valid US driver’s license for at least two years, not including time with permit.

• No serious traffic convictions within the past three years. (Serious convictions include, but are not limited to, DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, or three or more traffic violations and/or at-fault accidents within that period).

• Access to a reliable vehicle during work hours. Vehicle must have valid registration and inspection stickers.

• Valid auto insurance. You will be asked to provide proof that you are a covered driver on the policy.

Education: High School diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, special education, counseling, social work or gerontology preferred.

Certification: Not required. Designation/certification as Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN), Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCABA) desirable.

Experience: Two years of direct care experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) field or Mental Health field.

• Ability to establish trusting relationships with individuals served. Commitment to consumer choice and empowerment.

• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting laws, rules, and policies governing the services provided by Access Services.

• Ability to express ideas succinctly, both orally and in writing. Ability to work independently. Excellent organizational and oral/written communication skills.

• Ability to effectively interact with all levels of staff.

• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technologies including Outlook, Microsoft Office Suite, and the electronic healthcare record system. Ability to navigate computers and work-related systems.

Essential Working Conditions/Physical Demands: Work in program sites and the community routinely providing direct care and support with individuals we serve. Stand, sit or run by self, or to provide proper care and supervision with an individual. Able to move and stay with an individual to keep them safe, both in home environment and community, both at near and far distances, even when an individual may struggle to meet identified expectations. Able to assist an individual who has fallen, regardless of weight or size. Walk, climb stairs by self, or to provide direct care ensuring individual’s safety, or to complete household and community tasks. Perform household tasks or tasks within the community such as laundry, cleaning, completing meal routines, shopping or dining out and, at the same time, ensuring individual’s safety and proper direct care and compliance with ISP.

Benefits

Compensation, Schedule, and Pay

This hourly rate starts at $19/hour, with increases based on education and experience. The schedule is Monday-Friday during regular business hours, with flexibility to meet program needs

This is a highly mobile and community-based leadership position. The primary service area includes Lehighton, Pottsville, and Bartonsville. The position may utilize our Bethlehem or Orwigsburg offices as needed.

What You’ll Gain at Access Services

When you join our team, you’re not just getting a job, you’re stepping into a career with real support, growth, and impact. We offer a benefits package designed to meet you where you are in life.

• Health & Security: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage, plus company-paid life insurance, disability protection and catastrophic sick leave. Access Services covers up to 88% of health premium with many employees paying less than $150/month.

• Time to Recharge: Full-time employees start their first year earning up to nearly 6 weeks of paid time off (20+ PTO days plus 9 paid holidays), with even more time added as you grow your career with us.

• Invest in Your Future: 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement program, and access to college tuition discounts.

• Built into the Job: Mileage & toll reimbursement.

• Support Beyond Work: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free, confidential resources for you and your family, including:

• Counseling and emotional support through in-person, telehealth and text therapy.

• Financial and legal guidance

• Grow With Us: Paid training, ongoing professional development, and opportunities to learn and advance across diverse roles and programs.

Access Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.