Direct Support Technician - Person County Recycling Center

Direct Support Technician

Join Our Team – Make a Difference Every Day! Position: Direct Support Technician Department: Person County Recycling Center Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM or 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Occasional Saturdays for 1 hour to close gates.

Person County Government is seeking a compassionate, motivated, and dependable Direct Support Technician to join our team at the Person County Recycling Center, a community rehabilitation program dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.

In this rewarding role, you will play a vital part in supporting our consumers by providing hands-on personal care, skills training, and vocational instruction at the recycling center — on-site and in the production setting. Your efforts will directly empower individuals to gain independence, improve their quality of life, and participate meaningfully in daily activities and employment.

Why Work with Us?

• Meaningful work that makes a lasting impact in the community
• Supportive team environment
• Competitive pay and benefits package
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

The starting salary will be determined with consideration given to both the candidate's educational background and relevant work experience.

Must possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record per County policy.

This is a non-exempt position working 40 hours weekly/2080 hours annually.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Supervises consumers/employees in an assigned production area often in a warehouse or outdoor setting; monitors work flow and makes changes to maximize production and to ensure work is flowing effectively; ensures quality of work and the safety of the work environment.
• Assists with contract work guidelines and recyclable materials sorting
• Orients and trains consumers/employees in work tasks; instructs employees on the proper use of materials and techniques for various jobs; teaches safety and good work habits
• Gives assignments to consumers; adapts and modifies jobs to suit specific needs of each employee; provides repetitive instruction as necessary; trains on soft skills, like attitude, work ethic, and communication
• Works alongside consumers to ensure that production goals are met; provides customer service by talking to citizens about services; serves as first contact for citizen complaints
• Counsels and assists program employees with behavioral and work problems; implements approved behavior plans; provides first aid and CPR; performs non-violent physical behavioral interventions (Crisis Prevention Intervention) when needed
• Works with other staff in developing new training methods and implementing consumer goal plans; provides feedback on program employee concerns and progress
• Provides physical care to consumers as needed
• Keeps accurate counts of work produced for each employee and submits timesheets; documents consumer activities, concerns, and progresses toward goals, including progress notes and incidents and accidents; documents work order progress and completion
• Collects money, write receipts, and documents charges
• Advocates for consumers; discusses activities with family members, caretakers, and other counselors
• Attends training and meetings to maintain core competencies and skills
• Operates fork lift and skid steer loader to move material at the Person County Recycling Center, plus empties hoppers into the sort line and bailer
• Person County Recycling Center duties:
  • Monitors liquid recycling station and tire recycling trailers to ensure proper disposal of recyclable commodities;
  • stacks and loads wooden pallets;
  • assists with bailing recyclable materials;
  • assists with electronic disassembly;
  • assembles and leads a team during recycling floor sort from material drop off;
  • works greeter door and assists vehicles with recycling drop off;
  • weighs bales of materials and sets up staging for loads to be picked up by vendors (the aforementioned duties are assigned in three rotations every two weeks)

Additional Job Duties

• Employees may be required to assist consumers with personal care; may need to intervene in safety situations; and may have to risk their exposure to human bodily fluids and infectious diseases, thus making the work subject to OSHA requirements for bloodborne pathogens.
• Performs related and other duties as required.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
• One (1) year of experience working with persons with disabilities, preferably including some experience in production; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Ability to obtain and maintain certifications in CPR, first aid, and CPI (non-violent crisis intervention)
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history.

Person County conducts pre-employment screening on candidates. Job offers are conditional pending the following:

• A pre-employment drug screen for all candidates. Positions designated by Person County as Safety Sensitive are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• A background check for all candidates. Some positions also require a credit check.
• Additional screening and testing required for some positions.
• Within 3 days of the start of your employment with the County, you must be able to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the US.

Person County Government is an Equal Opportunity/E-Verify Employer