Direct Support Professional (DSP)/Art Mentor

Artsify is seeking compassionate, dependable, and person-centered Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to provide Community Living Supports (CLS) services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the Portland metropolitan area.

DSPs play a critical role in helping individuals live meaningful, self-directed lives within their communities. Through relationship-building, skill development, community engagement, and individualized support, DSPs help individuals achieve the goals identified in their Individual Support Plans (ISPs) while promoting independence, dignity, choice, and inclusion.

This position is focused on supporting people. DSPs serve as advocates, coaches, teachers, and partners who help individuals build skills, navigate challenges, access their communities, and pursue the lives they choose.

Services are provided in homes, community settings, workplaces, educational environments, and recreational settings throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties.

Community Living Supports are person-centered services designed to help individuals develop, maintain, and enhance the skills necessary to live as independently and successfully as possible within their communities.

Services may include support with:

• Community participation and inclusion
• Relationship building and social engagement
• Daily living skills
• Household management
• Budgeting and financial literacy
• Communication and self-advocacy
• Transportation and community navigation
• Health and wellness goals
• Personal organization and time management
• Recreation, employment, volunteer, and educational activities
• ISP goal development and achievement

Essential Responsibilities

Person-Centered Support

• Support individuals in pursuing goals identified within their ISP
• Promote self-determination, informed choice, and personal autonomy
• Respect individual rights, preferences, values, identities, and cultural backgrounds
• Encourage independence while providing support when needed
• Assist individuals in developing confidence, self-advocacy, and decision-making skills
• Support individuals in exercising dignity of risk while maintaining health and safety

Skill Development & Independence

• Teach, model, and reinforce skills that increase independence
• Support development of daily living skills and community living skills
• Assist individuals with budgeting, scheduling, planning, and organization
• Support problem-solving and decision-making
• Encourage participation in household responsibilities and personal goal achievement
• Provide support using the least intrusive approach necessary

Community Inclusion & Engagement

• Support participation in community activities, events, recreation, education, volunteer opportunities, and employment-related activities
• Assist individuals in building and maintaining meaningful relationships
• Promote inclusion, belonging, and community participation
• Support transportation and community access as authorized

Health, Safety & Well-Being

• Follow individual support plans, health protocols, risk plans, and safety strategies
• Monitor and report changes in health, behavior, or support needs
• Recognize and respond appropriately to emergencies and safety concerns
• Report incidents, injuries, illnesses, abuse concerns, and other required events according to organizational and regulatory requirements
• Support individuals in maintaining healthy and safe routines

Documentation & Communication

• Complete service documentation accurately, professionally, and within required timelines
• Document progress toward ISP goals and identified outcomes
• Maintain confidentiality and protect client privacy
• Communicate professionally with clients, families, coworkers, leadership, case managers, healthcare providers, and other members of the support team as appropriate
• Report concerns, barriers, and changing support needs promptly

Professionalism & Team Participation

• Maintain professional boundaries at all times
• Follow organizational policies, procedures, and ethical standards
• Participate in required training, continuing education, and staff meetings
• Demonstrate accountability, reliability, and professionalism
• Work collaboratively with team members to support positive outcomes
• Represent Artsify professionally in all interactions with clients, families, community partners, and the public

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Successful DSPs demonstrate:

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Professional judgment and problem-solving abilities
• Patience, flexibility, and adaptability
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Commitment to person-centered practices
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Understanding of professional boundaries and ethical practices
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to safety concerns
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Willingness to learn and receive coaching and feedback

High school diploma or equivalent

Minimum age of 18 years

Ability to pass all required criminal background checks

Ability to use basic technology, including email, scheduling platforms, electronic documentation systems, and internet-based communication tools

Ability to provide person-centered support in community and home-based settings

Ability to safely perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation

Employees must obtain and maintain:

• Current CPR and First Aid certification (or obtain within the required onboarding timeframe)
• Successful completion of required orientation and training programs
• Completion of required continuing education and competency requirements

Employees who provide transportation must also maintain all driving-related qualifications required by Artsify policies and insurance requirements.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

This position requires regular work in community-based environments and may involve:

• Walking, standing, and participating in community activities
• Supporting individuals in a variety of home and community settings
• Assisting with mobility-related activities as needed
• Working evenings, weekends, holidays, or flexible schedules based on client needs
• Exposure to varying weather conditions during community activities
• Driving between service locations if transportation responsibilities are part of assigned duties

Work Schedule & Availability Expectations

Community Living Supports are provided based on the needs, preferences, and schedules of the individuals receiving services. As a result, work schedules may vary and can include mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional schedule changes.

Direct Support Professionals are expected to:

• Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality
• Arrive prepared and on time for scheduled shifts
• Communicate scheduling concerns, availability changes, and time-off requests in accordance with organizational policies
• Demonstrate flexibility when client needs, schedules, locations, or service priorities change
• Travel between service locations as required by assigned duties
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, and organizational activities as scheduled
• Accept that client assignments, schedules, and service locations may change based on organizational needs, client preferences, funding authorizations, staffing needs, and service requirements

While Artsify strives to provide consistency whenever possible, Community Living Supports are dynamic services that require flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to supporting individuals where and when services are needed.

Additional Qualifications for Employees Providing Transportation

Some DSP positions or client assignments may require transportation of individuals receiving services.

Employees who provide transportation as part of assigned job duties must maintain:

• A valid driver's license
• Reliable vehicle available for work-related transportation
• Current automobile insurance meeting organizational requirements
• An acceptable driving record as determined by organizational standards and insurance requirements

Employees who do not provide transportation may still be eligible to perform DSP duties based on client assignments and operational needs.