DDS Summer Urban Youth | Metro Region | Direct Care Worker - (26000142)

Metro Residential Services (MRS), and agency within the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), operates residential group homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The residential group homes are scattered throughout the Metro Region in Boston, Metro West areas and towns south of Boston as far as Wrentham.  Individuals supported range in age from 22 to 90. MRS, in partnership with the Urban Youth Collaborative Program (UYCP), is offering paid seasonal recreational and a limited number of office/administrative internships to college bound high school seniors and students enrolled in college, up to age 24.

 Each year, through this partnership, MRS and UYCP provide young people from all over the state with hands-on opportunities in a fun and interactive setting in the human services field. It is with the hope that this will inspire students to ultimately pursue a career in human services. 

Seasonal Recreation Interns work under the direction of the Residential supervisors and are responsible for planning, setting up, and leading a variety of activities at the individual’s residences. Activities include, but are not limited to: music and movement, arts & crafts, cooking and baking, and social events such as coffee and ice cream get togethers. Interns are able to use their imagination and creativity to plan events and activities that interest the individuals in the home. Seasonal Recreation Interns work a 40 hour week, including early evening hours and some weekend days. 

Seasonal Office/Administrative Interns work under the direction of Office Administrators and perform a variety of clerical and administrative tasks to support the mission of DDS’s Metro Regional Office. 

The human services field has career opportunities as lawyers, accountants, program directors, residential staff, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and a wide range of other roles. The Metro DDS Region is seeking hard working and compassionate candidates to serve as interns in direct care role.

The Metro Regional Office is located in Waltham and covers four Area Offices: Grater Boston (Hyde Park), Charles River West (Somerville), Newton/South Norfolk (Walpole) and Middlesex West (Framingham).

 The program opens in the middle of May and runs to Labor Day Weekend, this Summer session is restricted to a maximum 90-day appointment. It will be necessary for participants to be available for the entire summer, and unfortunately no vacations will be granted. All participants must have a valid drivers' license.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

- Provide and support participants in the involvement of the individuals into the community.
- Support & encourage interaction and integration into the community for the individuals.
- Accompany the individuals on frequent community outings and day trips such as attend concerts, Patriot’s training camp, trips to aquariums, restaurants, libraries, and local coffee shops.
- Planning, setting up, and leading a variety of activities at the individual’s residences. Activities include, but are not limited to: music and movement, arts & crafts, cooking and baking, and social events such as coffee and ice cream get togethers.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Ability to assist and facilitate activities of daily living, such as household maintenance, self-care and hygiene, food shopping and preparation, budgeting, leisure activities and social skill development.
- Capability to assist/lift individuals with physical disabilities and/or limited mobility.

Urban Youth Collaborative Requirements:

- Applicant must be between 18-24 years old.
- Have a valid driver's license.
- Must have a reliable form of transportation.
Please Note:
Schedule: These positions will be on either the first and second shifts with specified days off and may include some evening and weekends.
Pay: All State employees are paid bi-weekly through direct deposit.

 Current Urban Youth Collaborative pay rate is $22.98/ hour.

About the Department of Developmental Services:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-developmental-services
For more information about the Urban Youth Collaborative visit: www.mass.gov/info-details/dds-urban-youth-collaborativeinternship
Pre-Offer Process