CLE, Direct Support Professional

A group of concerned parents joined forces in 1953 to provide better lives for their children who, because of developmental delays and intellectual disabilities, were not able to participate in everyday society. At the time, little was known about intellectual disabilities. It was very common for doctors to counsel parents to place their children in institutions for most of their lives.

Emboldened by their collective desire to raise their children in the home and their refusal to accept that institutionalization was the only option, groups around the country organized and implemented action plans at the local level to give their children fuller lives in the community.

Our independent local 501(c)(3) nonprofit is known as Arc of Greater New Orleans. We currently serve in Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and St. Tammany parishes.

Our CLE (Community Life Engagement) service professionals work to assist our participants with becoming a part of their local communities and becoming more independent. They work to integrate participants into the community by helping with daily activities, finding employment, providing transportation, and advocating for the rights and services of individuals with disabilities.

• Training and supervising assigned participants (work/non-work, community access, volunteerism)
• Assists in planning and developing methods and procedures for implementing individual programs
• Submits an initial assessment and continuous annual assessments on their participants' progress
• Hold consistent meetings regarding an individual's programming/services
• Implements and documents outcomes and methods per ISP and/or Behavior Management
• Completing all service documentation (attendance, interaction, work/non-work activities)
• Completing scheduled training and continued education
• Provides confidential feedback to participants and other appropriate individuals. Advocates for all participants, as appropriate
• Transports participants to designated locations following all safety and transportation guidelines
• Drives a morning or afternoon route, including picking up participants from their homes or dropping off at their home

• GED or High School Diploma, bachelors degree in human services or related discipline preferred
• Previous experience working with persons with intellectual disabilities preferred
• Must have a valid LA Drivers License and autoinsurance
• Must have and be willing to use reliable transportation daily that passes agency inspection

• Excellent time and priority management
• Ability to collaborate with participants and their families as well as colleagues
• Experience with Microsoft, including Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving evidenced by past experiences

The Arc of Greater New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability-protected veteran status, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Individuals who require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify the Human Resources department.