Our mission is to serve, provide for, and champion individuals with disabilities.

Evergreen Life Services (ELS) is a charitable, non-profit organization that provides a full range of professional services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in the 1950s, today we are proud to serve more than 1,100 individuals with disabilities in 8 states.

Working at Evergreen Life Services isn’t just a job; it’s a rewarding career. Whether you provide direct care in our adult day care or in a group home, or you serve in a support or corporate office role, you will be an important part of the Evergreen team.

If you are looking for a place where you can make a difference, at Evergreen Life Services you will change lives. Every employee is a valuable part of the team because, at Evergreen, everyone matters.

Position Description: Direct Support Specialist (DSS)

FSLA Classification: non-exempt

Reports To: Community Home Manager or Program Supervisor

Created: November 29, 2013

Revised: December 21, 2020

Job Summary

Responsible for maintaining a healthy, safe, and therapeutic environment for individuals and following through on their plans of care. Assist Community Home Manager or appropriate Program Supervisor as required. Administer medication as allowed by appropriate State medication administration guidelines.

Essential Job Functions

Ensure the health and welfare of the individual(s) served.
Assist individual(s) served with medication and treatment plans as needed. Count and dispense appropriate medications as outlined in State medication administration guidelines.
Train individuals in the care and cleaning of their living area or home by performing and modeling simple task such as making bed, cleaning floor, and other basic housekeeping task.
Clean living area and assist individuals with laundry.
Report general maintenance needs of living area or home unit.
Assist individuals with money management including budgeting, banking, and shopping
Assist individuals with daily life activities(when applicable) such as: meal preparation, reading usage, use of telephone, use of community services (post office, mass transportation), housekeeping, clothing care, self-care, and personal hygiene.
Participate in the development and implementation of the Active Treatment Plan and Nutritional, Behavior, and Physical Support plans.
Accompany and transport individuals to activities such as medical/dental appointments, church services, recreation areas, work, and shopping as requested.
Complete all required documentation (i.e. daily notes, incident reports, medical information such as seizures, vital signs as trained medication errors, etc.) in accordance with applicable state agency(ies) and Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, Inc. policies and procedures
Implement behavioral and other programs as trained and requested.
Assist individuals with their goals as outlined in their plan of care document(s)
Identify potential behavior triggers and defuse or redirect as needed to ensure safety and well-being of all involved.
Report accidents/incidents and suspected cases of abuse or neglect of individuals per Evergreen policies and procedures.
Provide instruction to individuals involved in work activities associated with vocational opportunities.
Provide supervision to staff in absence of the manager and monitor the needs of the home(s) as required during shift. Assist with emergencies and urgent matters as they arise and make appropriate notification to management.

Qualifications/Experience/Job Knowledge

Effectively read, write and communicate verbally in English and must be able to read and understand instructions, perform record-keeping and write reports
One year of experience in providing care, guidance or training to individuals with developmental, physical, or psychiatric disabilities
Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record per Evergreen policy for insurance purposes and proof of liability coverage if a vehicle is owned
Meet and maintain all requirements of the applicable state agency(ies), including good standing with state abuse and neglect registry
Submit to and pass drug screen and criminal background check
Ability to learn basic computer skills (i.e. turn on/off, log in/out, input data, approve timesheet)
Successful completion of appropriate State medication administration certification and up to date training

Physical Requirements

Constantly moves about to coordinate work
Regularly moves and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds while assisting individual(s) served in home, workshop, or job site.
Regularly assist individual(s) served physically by lifting and positioning them as appropriate
Constantly alert and aware to individual(s) served needs
Occasionally exposed to viruses and infectious conditions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities or a medical condition to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Requirements

Will not supervise

Special Requirements

Constantly moves about to coordinate work
Regularly moves and positions objects weighing up to 50 pounds while assisting individual(s) served in home, workshop, or job site.
Regularly assist individual(s) served physically by lifting and positioning them as appropriate
Constantly alert and aware to individual(s) served needs
Occasionally exposed to viruses and infectious conditions

Employment Variables

Must have a good driving record which meets the minimum requirements for Evergreen and reliable transportation. Must pass drug screen and criminal background check. Must be able to work some evenings when required. May be asked to work some evenings when required.

Working Environment

May be required to work in a variety of settings and environments both indoors and outdoors

Evergreen is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Evergreen Life Services

I want more than just a job.
I want to make a difference in people’s lives.
I want to make a difference in my community.

We want to make a difference too. Working at Evergreen Life Services isn’t just a job; it’s a rewarding career. Sometimes that reward is a smile or a song from a resident, sometimes it’s the reward of knowing you helped a resident to learn daily life skills, like setting a table or preparing a meal. It could be watching a resident make beautiful artwork in one of our studios. Every day you will have opportunities to help those with intellectual or physical disabilities feel that they are a part of a community that cares.

Whether you provide direct care in our adult day care or in a group home, or you serve in a support or corporate office role, you will be an important part of the Evergreen team.

We have nearly 2000 employees and more than 1100 individuals served in seven states, including Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida.

If you are looking for a place where you can make a difference, at Evergreen Life Services you will change lives. Every employee is a valuable part of the team, because at Evergreen, everyone matters.

Evergreen, in it's mission is to serve, provide for and champion individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is looking for qualified, caring individuals to work with us.