LEAD DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Lead Direct Support Professional

New Jersey Full-Time Sunday–Thursday 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. $19.35 per hour $20.35 per hour for weekend hours DailyPay Available

Looking for More Than Just a Job?

At Advancing Opportunities, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, fulfilling, and independent life.

We are seeking a compassionate and dependable Lead Direct Support Professional to provide hands-on support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting. In this important leadership role, you will help individuals build independence, participate in their communities, maintain their health and safety, and achieve their personal goals.

You will also mentor Direct Support Professionals, provide on-site guidance and training, support regulatory compliance, and maintain communication with the Residential Manager.

This is an opportunity to build a rewarding career while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

About Advancing Opportunities

Advancing Opportunities provides residential and community-based services that promote independence, dignity, inclusion, personal choice, and an enhanced quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Our employees help individuals develop important daily living skills, build meaningful relationships, participate in their communities, and live as independently as possible.

Why Join Our Team?

Competitive Pay & Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• $19.35 per hour
• $20.35 per hour for weekend hours
• DailyPay, allowing access to earned wages before payday
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness programs
• Employee referral bonuses
• Company-paid training

Career Growth & Development

• Paid training programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Certification opportunities
• Leadership development
• Career advancement opportunities
• Experience mentoring and guiding residential support staff
• Opportunities across multiple programs and service lines

Meaningful Work That Matters

• Make a difference every day
• Support individuals in achieving greater independence
• Build meaningful and respectful relationships
• Help create safe, welcoming, and home-like environments
• Strengthen connections between individuals and their communities
• Join a mission-driven organization

What You'll Do

As a Lead Direct Support Professional, you will:

• Provide direct support and supervision to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting.
• Assist individuals with daily living activities, including personal hygiene, grooming, meal planning, cooking, housekeeping, laundry, home maintenance, and other personal care needs.
• Encourage independence by helping individuals develop self-care, social, community, academic, pre-vocational, and independent living skills.
• Support individuals in developing relationships, participating in recreational activities, and becoming more involved in their communities.
• Help maintain a safe, supportive, therapeutic, respectful, and home-like residential environment.
• Mentor Direct Support Professionals and provide on-site training, guidance, assistance, and direction.
• Help ensure staff follow organizational policies, treatment plans, safety requirements, licensing standards, and applicable regulations.
• Communicate staff performance, compliance concerns, individual needs, and program issues to the Residential Manager.
• Accompany or arrange transportation for individuals attending medical, behavioral health, psychological, recreational, and community appointments.
• Review appointment documentation, communicate information received from providers, and assist with required follow-up.
• Assist individuals with medications in accordance with organizational policies and completed training.
• Monitor medication records and help ensure medication administration documentation is accurate and complete.
• Observe and communicate changes in an individual's health, behavior, personal care needs, or level of functioning.
• Recognize potential crisis situations and respond using approved behavioral support and crisis-intervention practices.
• Assist team members in identifying strategies that may help prevent future crises.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with organizational policies and applicable requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow HIPAA, ethical, and professional standards.
• Complete accurate and timely daily documentation, progress notes, data collection, medication records, critical logs, incident documentation, and other required reports.
• Help prepare monthly reports for referring agencies, guardians, or parents when assigned.
• Support implementation of treatment plans, motivational systems, house meetings, recreational activities, and evening or weekend programming.
• Ensure individuals have appropriate food, clothing, personal supplies, and access to needed services.
• Help ensure menus are followed and that meals meet individuals' health, nutritional, and personal needs.
• Conduct or assist with residential inspections, fire drills, safety checks, and required follow-up.
• Identify and report facility, vehicle, equipment, utility, or safety concerns promptly.
• Safely operate company vehicles, wheelchair lifts, adaptive equipment, household equipment, and other assigned devices.
• Use safe driving practices when transporting individuals.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, evaluations, and required internal or external training.
• Maintain current required certifications and annual competencies.
• Support the organization's mission, values, policies, and commitment to person-centered services.
• Perform additional duties assigned by residential leadership.

Who We're Looking For

You may be a great fit if you are:

Compassionate and respectful Dependable and responsible Patient and service-focused Comfortable taking a leadership role Skilled at mentoring and guiding team members Organized and attentive to detail Able to remain calm during challenging situations An effective verbal and written communicator Committed to confidentiality and professional boundaries Comfortable working independently with limited supervision Flexible and responsive to the needs of the individuals served Committed to helping people achieve greater independence

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities or mental illness.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid, non-provisional driver's license.
• Current vehicle registration and insurance, as required for the position.
• Ability to complete and maintain CPR, First Aid, and all other assigned training.
• Ability to successfully complete required criminal background, registry, and pre-employment checks.
• Ability to comply with pre-employment, random, and for-cause drug-testing requirements.
• Basic computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office, email, electronic timekeeping, and documentation systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals, families, coworkers, supervisors, service providers, funding sources, and community partners.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to work the assigned schedule and meet the position's attendance requirements.

Preferred

• Previous supervisory, lead, or staff-mentoring experience.
• Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health conditions.
• Experience in a group home, residential program, or community-based setting.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and trauma-informed environments.
• Experience with medication documentation, treatment plans, behavioral supports, or regulatory compliance.

Schedule

• Full-Time
• Sunday–Thursday
• 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
• $19.35 per hour
• $20.35 per hour for weekend hours
• Regular weekend availability is required as part of the Sunday–Thursday schedule.
• Flexibility may be required based on program needs, including evenings, holidays, emergency coverage, or other assigned hours.
• The position may require responding to residential or on-call matters during weekends or after hours when assigned.