Disability Support Worker

Night Owl for

Disability Support:

Position Overview:

$30.00 Per Hour 2 - 3 evenings/week: Sunday, Friday and most Saturdays 6pm - 1am Possibility of some additional day/afternoon shifts if interested I am looking for people who will: See themselves as my partner in crime, not my caretaker Treat me with respect and empathy Prioritize my agency, dignity, and privacy Ask me what would help, rather than doing what they assume would be helpful Take time to get to know me and build a relationship with me Let me take the time I need to process, think, and communicate Have a nonjudgemental, body-positive attitude Pay attention to details Follow my lead and respect my boundaries, preferences, and quirks Be a calming, reassuring presence in my home Help me do the things I enjoy and live the life I want This job is a good fit for detail-oriented people looking for nontraditional work, college or graduate students, artists or activists, and night owls of all stripes. You do not need to have experience doing this kind of work before. Most of my current team does not! The most important qualifications are the things discussed above, and a willingness to learn and to listen to me. My chosen family and I will provide guidance on what I need and how I prefer to be supported, including a detailed written manual. This is a long-term position and includes shifts over the holidays, with the ability to schedule vacations in advance. This position requires simple cooking (think: pasta, eggs, pancakes, sandwiches), doing the dishes/loading and unloading the dishwasher, and light housekeeping like dusting or taking out the trash. I will occasionally need help with heavier tasks like changing the sheets on my bed. I need prompting to initiate some self-care tasks and stay on track with routines, but I do not usually need assistance in the bathroom or shower. I handle routine medications on my own, but benefit from reminders to take as-needed medications, use my heating pad, etc. I am independently mobile, but I have a movement disorder common with autism where I can get frozen in place and need prompts to get me moving again. Most of the assistance I need involves prompting me, helping me problem-solve, and helping me rest and conserve my energy. During evening shifts, there will usually be some periods of downtime when you can entertain yourself quietly while checking in with me periodically, but please do be prepared to help me with things throughout your shift. Day shifts may potentially be more active and involve more facilitation of daily activities and executive functioning. I am currently largely homebound due to fatigue, but would like to spend a little more time out of the house exploring DC and visiting friends when my health permits. I live with significant anxiety and PTSD, and have recently lost a close family member who was also my main support person for the last 12 years. I am a friendly person once I feel comfortable with someone, but it can take me a long time to feel safe with new people and warm up to them. I need people who can be a calming presence in my home, who won't take it personally if I am withdrawn, and who will take the time to build a trusting relationship with me. I currently live in Northeastern DC. I have a cat who is an important part of my life. I am supported by a sprawling network of friends and loved ones, and I may sometimes have 1 or 2 people visiting for part of a shift. Before I got sick, I ran a disability rights organization. You don't need to know anything about disability policy, but be prepared to hear some stories. A vehicle is not required for this position.

It is absolutely essential that you are queer-friendly and trans inclusive. Due to my health, all applicants must be able and willing to be up to date on their annualCOVID, flu, and other vaccinations. COVID-cautious applicants (for example, those who mask in public spaces and crowds) are preferred. Shared Support Maryland is facilitating this process. After you apply, you will be asked to answer some initial screening questions in writing. Following that, there may be an in-person interview. There will be a background check after a job offer is made. Thank you.

Job Type:

Part-time Pay:

From $30.00 per hour Application Question(s): Are you able to work in an environment where there are cats directly on the premises? Are you queer-friendly and trans inclusive? Are you available to work 2-3 evenings per week in Sunday, Friday and most Saturdays from 6 p.m. - 1 a.m.? Do you have up to date COVID and Flu vaccinations as well as other vaccinations?

Work Location:

In person