Direct Support Person – Supported Independent Living
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR)
Do you have a passion for people, relationships, inclusion and belonging? Do you want to work towards a community that welcomes and accepts everyone?
So do we!
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR) was founded on the values of working with people with disabilities to grow their social relationships and be seen and valued as full contributing citizens in our community.
If this sounds exciting to you, come join our dynamic team to help bring these values to life in our community.
Role:
As a Direct Support Person (DSP), you are one of the key front line support providers who engage in establishing a positive relationship with the people we support. You are motivated to help people reach their goals and foster their independence while also respecting the person’s thoughts and feelings and dignity. You are guided by compassion, care and responsibility. You readily display these attitudes and ideals in your relationship with the person being supported and in your representation of EAFWR as an organization wherever you are.
We are looking for a DSP who is resilient, emotionally intelligent, and experienced with mental health support to support 3 young women in our Supported Independent Living program individually. The individuals are all in their early 20s, live independently, and would benefit from a DSP who is patient and flexible with an awareness of mental health and harm reduction. Support will be required in-person, over the phone and over text.
Qualifications:
The qualifications for DSPs vary based on the person that the DSP supports and their needs and goals. The general requirements that we look for in all DSP roles are as follows:
- Secondary school diploma OR some secondary school with related experience
- Minimum eighteen years of age
- Valid G2 license and a reliable vehicle is required for this role
- Experience working with individuals experiencing challenges with their mental health, and an awareness and appreciation of harm reduction are assets to this role
- Experience working with individuals in the Developmental Services Sector and/or working with individuals with a developmental and/or a physical disability is an asset
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrated persistence, resilience and follow through
- Must be reliable and dependable, punctual and committed
- Ability to work well independently as well as part of a team
- Able to commit a minimum of 1 year to this role and to people and families served
- Demonstrate threshold and core competencies outlined for DSP’s
We, at Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR), recognize that people from underrepresented populations and intersecting identities often face increased discrimination or systematic barriers, and may choose not to apply for a position if they do not exceed the requirements listed in a job posting. The requirements listed are guidelines, candidates do not have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification in order to apply.
Core Competencies:
Display Evolving level competency which is defined as “intentional growth of oneself and valuing other’s perspectives. They exhibit the competency consistently in more than one context and promote positive opportunities for change beyond themselves.” Competencies required in this role:
- Advocacy - How can I get others to understand the importance of this issue and support this point of view?
- Building Relationships - How do I nurture cooperative relationships to build rapport and trust with others?
- Facilitating Growth & Development - How can I help others reach their goals and embrace their independence and their autonomy?
- Problem-Solving & Decision Making - How can I/we think about or do this differently?
- Resilience - How am I staying optimistic about our goals and positively enhancing the situation?
EAFWR is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment. We recognize that people from underrepresented populations and intersecting identities often face increased discrimination or systemic barriers and may choose not to apply for a position if they do not meet/exceed the requirements listed in a posting. The requirements listed are guidelines, and candidates do not have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification to apply. Candidates are encouraged to seek accommodations to support their application.
Hours and Pay:
- These contracts offer a combined total of roughly 20 hours per month to start, with the possibility of increase. The schedule is as follows:
- Individual # 1: 2 hours bi-weekly; support will be structured and focused on specific tasks (ex: accessing community resources such as the food bank)
- Individual # 2: 8 hours per month, on weekends; support will be more flexible, in the form of companionship and community participation (ex: finding and attending an event or activity in the community)
- Individual # 3: 8 hours/month, on weekends support will be more flexible, in the form of companionship and community participation (ex: finding and attending an event or activity in the community)
- The pay rate is $20.34/hr + 6% vacation pay. Expenses such as car mileage are reimbursed.
Responsibilities and Functions:
Reporting to the person being supported, their family, and a designated EAFWR Support Coordinator, the contract support person could be asked to perform a variety of support activities, which varies based on the person/people that they are supporting. Overall, the DSP will be responsible for the following tasks:
Provide Support to the People You’re Supporting:
- Prioritize the tasks and needs of the individuals who require your support (details provided in the Hours and Pay section)
- Plan and implement supports /activities designed to assist the person being supported in achieving goals outlined in the funding contract
- Establish and maintain a respectful relationship with the person being supported
- Engage in open and honest communication with the person being supported, their family and the designated Support Coordinator
- Be aware of and adhere to EAFWR’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures and maintain a safe work environment for yourself and the person being supported
- Maintain awareness of and adherence to EAFWR procedures dealing with serious and/or unusual incidents
Provide Support to EAFWR Administration by:
- Maintain awareness of and adherence to relevant guidelines, policies and procedures
- Promote the growth of an organizational culture that is both inclusive and anti-oppressive
- Participate in training and staff development as requested/required
- Provide documents relevant to the position as requested by EAFWR
Extend-A-Family is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunity of access to employment.
To apply for this position, please follow the application process on ADP Workforce Now by no later than November 20, 2026. A resume is required, and you may also include a cover letter outlining your interest in the position.
