Experienced Direct Support Professional (Behavioral Support)

Behavioral Support DSP

Behavioral Support Direct Support Professionals provide one-on-one support to individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and complex behavioral needs. This position is designed for experienced professionals who are confident supporting individuals with challenging behaviors while promoting safety, dignity, independence, and quality of life. This is not an entry-level DSP position. We are seeking candidates with previous experience supporting individuals with significant behavioral challenges in residential, crisis, behavioral, or similar direct support settings.

A successful candidate:

• Has a passion for supporting individuals with complex behavioral needs.
• Remains calm, confident, and professional during high-stress situations.
• Has strong critical thinking and de-escalation skills.
• Is physically active, engaged, and comfortable providing hands-on support throughout the shift.
• Understands behavior as a form of communication and responds with patience, consistency, and professionalism.
• Displays the company's core values of Service Excellence, Person-Centered Care, Nurturing Relationships, Ownership, Value in Every Voice, and Authenticity.

This position provides one-on-one support to an adult who is primarily non-verbal and requires consistent supervision, structure, and behavioral support throughout the day. The individual enjoys community outings, daily routines, and engaging with familiar staff. Because communication is limited, staff must be observant, proactive, and able to recognize behavioral cues before situations escalate. The individual has significant behavioral support needs and may display physical aggression during periods of frustration or dysregulation. Staff must be comfortable working in an environment where challenging behaviors are expected and be prepared to respond using positive behavior support strategies, approved crisis intervention techniques, and individualized behavior plans. This is an active position that requires staff to remain engaged throughout the shift, participate in community activities, redirect behaviors, maintain structure, and provide continuous supervision to promote safety and success.

Behavioral Support DSPs have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day. Through consistency, patience, and relationship-building, staff help individuals develop skills, increase independence, reduce behavioral challenges, and experience success in their homes and communities.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide one-on-one behavioral support in home and community settings.
• Implement individualized behavior support plans and therapeutic interventions.
• Utilize positive behavior support techniques and approved crisis intervention strategies.
• Maintain safety during behavioral incidents while using the least restrictive interventions appropriate to the situation.
• Support communication, emotional regulation, and skill development.
• Assist with personal care, daily living activities, meal preparation, medication administration, and household responsibilities.
• Encourage meaningful community participation and social engagement.
• Accurately document behaviors, interventions, and progress using electronic documentation systems.
• Work collaboratively with supervisors, behavior professionals, medical providers, and team members.

Required Qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have at least one year of professional experience supporting individuals with significant behavioral challenges in a residential, crisis, behavioral health, mental health, or developmental disability setting.
• Have experience implementing behavior support plans and responding appropriately during behavioral incidents.
• Be comfortable supporting individuals who may become physically aggressive.
• Be physically able to maintain an active work environment, including frequent walking, standing, bending, lifting, and participating in community activities.
• Possess excellent observation, communication, and documentation skills.
• Hold a valid driver's license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and have access to an insured vehicle.
• Successfully pass a Minnesota DHS background study.
• Possess basic computer skills.

Preferred Experience:

• Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
• Crisis prevention and intervention
• Developmental disabilities
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Mental health services
• Crisis or intensive residential programs
• Non-verbal communication supports
• One-on-one behavioral services

Working Conditions:

This position requires flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts based on program needs. Behavioral Support DSPs work in both residential and community settings and should expect a physically active workday. The role includes frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, and transporting individuals to appointments and community activities. Staff regularly work with individuals who may experience emotional or behavioral crises, including physical aggression, property destruction, or other challenging behaviors. Candidates must be able to remain calm, follow individualized support plans and company procedures, and maintain a safe environment while providing respectful, person-centered care.

Synova Group offers a competitive salary and a full list of benefits, including PTO, paid holidays, health, dental, life insurance, and disability insurance. Paid training is conducted in our Brooklyn Park office and is led by Synova Group employees.

You will work in an environment that makes you feel proud of what you do and work with others who have a strong desire to support individuals with disabilities. Synova Group focuses on person-centered planning to provide the best care to our individuals.

Synova Group provides many growth opportunities for those looking to advance their career and places value on internal promotion!

This position reports to the House Supervisor. The position is classified as non-exempt.

Synova Group is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.