Employment Opportunities

The Arc of King County has highly trained and dedicated professional staff that help to change public attitudes and set standards for quality programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc welcomes and encourages diversity in the workplace. 

Clearly indicate the position you are applying for in your cover letter and and email it to the contact person indicated in the position announcement. You may also fax or mail to:

The Arc of King County
233 Sixth Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
Fax:  (206) 364-8140

Employment Application Form 

Positions currently open:

1. Direct Support Professional DSP

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a staff member of the Arc Supported Living Program and provides one-to-one guidance and support to persons with developmental disabilities who live in their own homes throughout King County. The DSP also participates in weekly team meetings, monthly Supported Living meetings, all staff meetings, and regular consultations with the Coordinator of Direct Support. The DSP is responsible for record keeping and is a contributor in the development of program planning. The DSP works under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of Direct Support (CDS).

Major Responsibilities and Related Tasks 

1. One- to-One Guidance
• Participates in Individual Support Plan (ISP) with the CDS, client and other people chosen by the client, in order to outline goals, objectives and training plans. 
• Assists the CDS to engage the client in the translation and implementation of ISP goals and objectives into relevant activities that focus on the acquisition of daily living skills and promote social and community interactions through "real life" experiences. 
• Schedules appointments at mutual convenience for client and DSP. 
• Complies with policies addressing client rights and responsibilities, client confidentiality and client abuse. 

• Advocates effectively with significant contact services in the client's life: vocational, housing, mental health, DSHS and DDD, Social Security and others, in order to establish, maintain or expand services for the client. 
• Willing to alter usual job schedule as requested by the Program Coordinator to further the aims of the program or agency: meetings during "off hours", and responding to non-scheduled client emergencies. 
• Works cooperatively with parents and other family members. 
• Establishes a positive and considerate relationships with clients, being respectful of values and varying lifestyle of clients by being non-judgmental and non- interfering in all areas, especially where services have not been requested (i.e. areas not identified on the ISP) 
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use of supportive communication techniques, asking open-ended questions and employing exploratory probes that identify a client's feelings in conjunction with their behaviors and experiences. 
• Elicits client's ideas and perceptions by being non-directive in order to enhance the individual's ability to identify problems and problem-solving options. 
• Demonstrates an understanding of the differences between the professional and peer/friendship relationships, maintaining the former in order to facilitate the client's potential for self-sufficiency. 
• Provides support in areas where the client does not have or is not willing to use skills that maintain the client in a healthy and safe environment. 
• Intervenes on behalf of the client after determining that rights are being violated or the client is having difficulty getting their needs met by their own efforts. 
• Encourages clients to develop alternative support systems in order to use generic community services. 

2. Client Information Record Keeping 

• Accounts for all direct and indirect client contacts by fulfilling monthly contractual paperwork requirements: monthly summaries, safety reports, goal
  sheets and other documentation as requested by CDS. 
• Gathers information about client's resources and support network and enters said
  information into the client documents. 

3. Use of Supervision and Team Activities 

• Uses individual meetings with CDS to maximize the quality of services to clients by keeping CDS informed about both the progress and problematic areas that have developed. 
• Can demonstrate flexibility in accepting and implementing job assignments and/ or supervisory direction, demonstrates ability to self-initiate job-related activities and following through to completion. 
• Participates in weekly team meetings and is expected to actively contribute to a generally supportive process where case presentations are responded to in a non-judgmental and open manner, and by which the exchange of information and ideas serve to improve the knowledge and problem-solving capacities of the
  DSP. 
• Reports on situations both from the DSP and client perspectives, identifying
  where the problem is most acute from both points of view. 
• Keeps the CDS abreast of emerging or critical situations through the use of voice
  mail on a regular basis. 
• Demonstrates ability to work cooperatively with co-professionals and clerical staff. Is able to work out conflicts with other staff that affect work performance and arranges for consultation from supervisory staff as necessary. Is respectful to all agency staff members and interacts with a sense of teamwork. 

Knowledge and Skills

The DSP must demonstrate an ability to:

1. Respect client rights and confidentiality. 
2. Implement program planning. 
3. Advocate with public agencies in the best interest of clients. 
4. Work cooperatively with the support network of clients. 
5. Complete monthly record-keeping requirements in a timely and legible manner. 
6. Follow through on commitments made to clients. 
7. Effectively use the CDS recommendations and direction. 
8. Be flexible in order to respond to the demands of clients and agency. 

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to those who have:

1. One or more years of experience in providing direct service to people with
   developmental disabilities 
2. Skill in translating and implementing program planning 
3. Demonstrated an ability to advocate with public agencies to benefit the client 
4. An understanding and acceptance of people with various lifestyles and value systems 
5. Bachelor Degree 
6. Experience in Social Services Field 
7. Cultural Competence 

Required Qualifications

1. Washington State Drivers License 
2. Good driving record, reliable vehicle to use on the job and appropriate vehicle Insurance. 
3. Eighteen years of age. 
4. High School Degree. 
5. Able to pass FBI Background Check 

Starting pay is $11.50/hour with benefits. The Arc welcomes and encourages diversity in the workplace. If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter and resume to Dian Dare, ddare@arcofkingcounty.org. Position open until filled. To download the full job description, click here. 

Thank you for your interest in The Arc of King County.