Direct Support Staff – Annapolis County
Common Ground Supported Living Inc.
Location: Annapolis County, Nova Scotia
Positions: Full-Time & Casual Direct Support Staff
Wage: $22.50–$25.00/hour, based on experience and role
Start: September 2026
ABOUT COMMON GROUND
Common Ground Supported Living Inc. supports adults with disabilities and complex support needs to live meaningful lives in their own homes and communities.
Our work is part of Nova Scotia's movement away from institutional models of care and toward real homes, meaningful relationships, greater independence, and genuine community belonging.
At Common Ground, support is about more than supervision or completing a list of tasks.
It is about getting to know the person, understanding what works for them, building trust and consistency, and creating opportunities for people to have greater choice and control over their own lives.
Our work is guided by dignity, independence, steadiness, accountability, inclusion, care, and respect.
THE OPPORTUNITY
We are building a new support team in Annapolis County for an autistic adult who will be supported in a community-based home setting.
We are looking for people who understand that a strong support relationship takes time.
The right staff will be patient, dependable, consistent, and willing to learn the individual—not simply arrive with a predetermined idea of what support should look like.
Previous experience supporting autistic adults is strongly preferred.
Experience supporting people with developmental disabilities, behavioural support needs, mental health challenges, or other complex support needs is also considered a strong asset.
Training, orientation, and ongoing support will be provided.
WHAT THE WORK LOOKS LIKE
Direct Support Staff will help create the consistency, structure, relationships, and opportunities needed for the person they support to be successful at home and in the community.
Responsibilities may include:
- Building a respectful and trusting support relationship.
- Supporting daily routines, life skills, and increasing independence.
- Helping create predictable and consistent routines.
- Supporting personal care where required.
- Supporting medication and health routines where trained and authorized.
- Supporting appointments, recreation, outings, and meaningful community participation.
- Recognizing that behaviour is communication and responding with patience, curiosity, and respect.
- Supporting emotional regulation and using established strategies during difficult moments.
- Following individualized support plans, routines, and safety protocols.
- Completing clear and accurate documentation.
- Communicating changes, successes, concerns, and emerging needs to the team.
- Maintaining a safe, respectful, and welcoming home environment.
Some days may involve getting out into the community, trying a new activity, or developing a new skill. Other days may be about maintaining routine, providing reassurance, or simply creating the stability needed for someone to have a good day.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Experience matters, but who you are when supporting another person matters too.
You may be a strong fit if you:
- Have experience supporting autistic individuals or genuinely want to develop that skill.
- Are calm and steady when situations become challenging.
- Understand that trust is earned over time.
- Are patient enough to work at someone else's pace.
- Value routine and consistency without losing sight of individual choice.
- Look for strengths and possibilities rather than focusing only on limitations.
- Promote dignity and independence rather than doing everything for someone.
- Communicate clearly and professionally with participants, families, coworkers, and leadership.
- Are dependable and understand how much consistency matters to the people we support.
- Can accept feedback, continue learning, and contribute positively to a team.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Valid driver's licence.
- Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.
- First Aid & CPR Level C, or willingness to obtain.
- Human Services, Disability Support, CCA, Social Services, Psychology, Nursing, Child & Youth Care, or related education/experience is considered an asset.
- Experience or training in autism support, behavioural support, NVCI, Mandt, trauma-informed practice, or similar approaches is considered an asset.
WHAT COMMON GROUND OFFERS
- $22.50–$25.00/hour, based on experience and role.
- Full-time and casual opportunities.
- Benefits for eligible employees following probation.
- Mileage reimbursement when a personal vehicle is required for approved work travel.
- Training and ongoing professional development.
- Support from an approachable leadership team.
- Opportunities to grow into additional responsibilities and leadership roles.
- A workplace where good ideas and individual strengths are valued.
- The opportunity to do work that has a visible impact on another person's life.
OUR VALUES
Dignity Independence Steadiness Accountability Inclusion Care Respect
We want people who can bring those values into everyday support—not simply repeat them.
HOW TO APPLY
Send your résumé and a short note telling us a little about yourself and why this kind of work interests you.
Logan McCullough
Common Ground Supported Living Inc.
[email protected]
Subject: Annapolis County Support Worker – Your Name
Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $22.50-$25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
