There are a lot of great ways to help your community and do work that’s fun and rewarding. At Sunshine, we’re trying to find all the ways to make the most of what we can offer. You may be able to help us with that, when you join our team and work toward making a difference for the people around you.
Your neighbors need you, and there’s a lot you can do to make their lives better. Thinking about a career with Sunshine? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to working with us.
1. What do we do here at Sunshine?
At Sunshine, we’re committed to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all age groups. We have a lot of ways to do that, including vocational, residential, recreational, and therapeutic services and programs. Our community members who have disabilities aren’t always able to advocate for themselves. They (and their families) may not know where to find needed resources, or even what’s available. But we’re here to help.
2. What kind of people are we looking for?
We’re looking for people who want to make a difference, and people who are caring and enthusiastic. Skills and education are important, and some positions have more specific requirements than others, but mostly we want to hire people who are going to be dedicated to our community, our mission, and the people we’re working so hard to help. If you want to be a part of that, applying with us is the first step.
3. What geographic area would I work in?
Our main campus and office is located in Maumee, Ohio. Depending on the kind of work you’re doing with us, you might be working there. If you’re providing in-home services and support throughout the community, you’ll be traveling from one person’s home to the next. There’s also a coffee shop and gift store located in downtown Maumee and an art studio and gift store down the block from it, both of which are operated by Sunshine individuals and staff.
4. What types of community needs would I be handling?
The specific community needs you’d be working on would depend on the exact job you have with us. We hire a lot of different types of people, and there are a number of different areas where we need help and support. Our administrative staff work with many of the paperwork issues that are part of keeping Sunshine operating. We also have Direct Support Professionals, Nurses, Behavior Technicians, Cooks, Lifeguards and Therapists who support individuals in homes found in Fulton, Wood, and Lucas counties.
5. Do I need a medical degree or license?
Most of the people we hire don’t need specific degrees or licenses. Depending on the kind of work you’re doing for us, you may need licensing or additional training. Mostly, you need compassion for others and a love of helping people with developmental disabilities get the most out of life. There are plenty of opportunities for you to support people, create opportunities for play and work, and much more. Those who are providing direct medical care or therapy will have stricter requirements for education/licensing.
6. What is a direct support professional?
A direct support professional is someone whose days are spent working specifically with the individuals Sunshine works to help. That could involve helping at the coffee shop or art studio, going from home to home, providing therapy or medical assistance, teaching a vocational class, or just helping individuals with development disabilities in our community get their basic needs met. Working closely with the people in our community is a big part of what a direct support professional does.
7. What kinds of services do you offer?
We offer vocational, therapeutic, clinical, and recreational services for the individuals we help and support. That means we do everything from helping them learn new skills and find employment, to making sure they have the opportunity to engage in hobbies that make their lives fuller and more meaningful. We understand that our services can make a difference for our community, and want to give the people in it the highest and best chance for success in every area that’s important to them.
8. Are there age limits for applying?
We do require staff to be 18 or over. Other than that, there aren’t any specific age requirements. We encourage anyone who’s 18 or over and interested in our mission while wanting to make a difference in their community to apply for the jobs we have available.
9. Where can I learn more about what you do?
You can learn more about Sunshine on our About Us page, and you can see what jobs we’re hiring for on our Careers page. You can also contact us to ask questions if you’re not sure about a particular job’s requirements, or you’d like other information about our organization. We’re happy to answer your questions, and make sure you’re getting all the information you need to make an informed decision about applying with our organization.
10. How can I apply today?
You can apply for any of the jobs we have available from our Careers page. You can also see our current job openings, search for careers, and take a look at the schedule for upcoming hiring events. That way, you can decide what jobs you want to apply for, and which ones would be the best fit for your skills and talents. You can also come to one of our hiring events, where we can work with you to find the job that would be the best fit for all of us — and provide the biggest benefit to our community members.
Remember, you have the power to make a difference for people with development disabilities in your community. We’re hiring, and we’d love to have more talented and dedicated people as part of our team. Apply today!
