Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

New Jersey Per Diem $18.35 per hour | $19.35 per hour on weekends 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 compassionate and dependable Direct Support Professionals to assist individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health challenges in residential and community settings.

As a DSP, you will provide person-centered support that promotes independence, protects health and safety, and helps individuals reach their fullest potential. Working collaboratively with the residential and clinical teams, you will address the physical, environmental, psychosocial, and personal needs of the individuals in our care.

If you are looking for flexible, meaningful work where your compassion and commitment can have a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply.

About Advancing Opportunities

Advancing Opportunities provides residential and community-based services designed to help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence, confidence, inclusion, and success.

Our employees play an essential role in creating safe and supportive environments where individuals are treated with dignity and respect, encouraged to make personal choices, and empowered to participate in their communities.

Why Join Our Team?

Competitive Pay & Benefits

• $18.35 per hour
• $19.35 per hour on weekends
• DailyPay, allowing access to earned wages before payday
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee referral bonuses
• Company-paid training
• Flexible per diem scheduling

Benefit eligibility may vary based on employment status and applicable plan requirements.

Career Growth & Development

• Paid training programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Certification opportunities
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competency-based training
• Experience supporting individuals in residential and community settings
• Opportunities across multiple programs and service lines

Meaningful Work That Matters

• Make a difference every day
• Help individuals develop greater independence
• Protect the health, safety, privacy, and dignity of those you support
• Build meaningful and respectful relationships
• Help individuals participate in their communities
• Join a compassionate, mission-driven organization

What You'll Do

As a Direct Support Professional, you will:

• Provide compassionate, respectful, and person-centered assistance to individuals with intellectual, developmental, and behavioral health challenges.
• Assist with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, grooming, meal planning, cooking, housekeeping, laundry, shopping, cleaning, and household maintenance.
• Help individuals develop and maintain skills that support greater independence and an improved quality of life.
• Provide supervision, encouragement, and guidance based on each individual's needs and service plan.
• Follow the supervision requirements and support strategies outlined in each individual's Individual Service Plan and Behavior Support Plan.
• Teach skills using the methods and materials identified in the individual's habilitation or service plan.
• Implement behavioral support programs in accordance with individualized plans and completed training.
• Provide trauma-informed care and help maintain a safe, supportive, and welcoming residential environment.
• Support individuals in developing relationships and participating in recreational, community, educational, religious, family, and social activities.
• Transport and accompany individuals to medical appointments, day programs, community activities, family visits, and other approved destinations.
• Follow all motor vehicle laws and organizational transportation requirements.
• Assist with or administer medications in accordance with organizational policies, prescribed healthcare programs, and completed training.
• Monitor individuals' health and safety and communicate concerns to the Lead DSP or Residential Manager.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to crisis situations using approved intervention strategies.
• Remain calm and professional during emergencies or other high-stress situations.
• Protect individuals' privacy and dignity while assisting with personal needs.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, ethical standards, and organizational policies.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with policy and applicable requirements.
• Complete accurate and timely medication logs, daily logs, goal documentation, incident reports, sleep and awake charts, weight charts, seizure records, behavior-plan documentation, fire-drill logs, vehicle records, and other required paperwork.
• Document hours worked accurately through the designated timekeeping system.
• Assist in monitoring progress toward individualized goals and objectives.
• Help maintain individual and program files and assist with reports when assigned.
• Support annual residential licensing activities, inspections, inquiries, and investigations.
• Cooperate with authorized organizational and Department of Human Services personnel during program reviews.
• Work with the Lead DSP and Residential Manager to ensure that individuals' needs are met according to their service plans.
• Assist the Residential Manager with special projects, on-call activities, and emergency situations when requested.
• Attend required home and office staff meetings.
• Successfully complete assigned pre-service, in-service, annual, and competency-based training.
• Follow all agency, Division of Developmental Disabilities, OSHA, fire safety, personnel, confidentiality, and residential licensing requirements.
• Safely operate company vehicles, wheelchair lifts, adaptive equipment, household appliances, and other assigned equipment.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Lead DSP or Residential Manager.

Who We're Looking For

You may be a great fit if you are:

Compassionate and respectful Dependable and responsible Patient and encouraging Comfortable supporting people with personal care needs Able to remain calm during challenging situations Team-oriented and collaborative Organized and attentive to detail An effective verbal and written communicator Committed to confidentiality and professional boundaries Able to work independently with minimal supervision Flexible and responsive to changing program needs Committed to helping individuals achieve greater independence

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent certificate.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid driver's license and a clean motor vehicle record.
• Current vehicle registration and insurance, as required for the position.
• Proficiency in reading, writing, communicating, and completing documentation in English.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office, email, electronic timekeeping, and other assigned applications.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals, families, coworkers, supervisors, funding sources, and other service providers.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond calmly to emergencies or high-stress situations.
• Ability to complete and maintain CPR, First Aid, and all other required training.
• Ability to successfully complete all required employment screenings.

Preferred

• Associate or bachelor's degree.
• Six months to one year of direct experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or in a human services setting.
• Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and trauma-informed environments.
• Experience in a group home, residential program, or community-based service setting.
• Experience with medication administration, behavioral supports, service plans, or regulatory documentation.

Schedule

• Per Diem
• Flexible scheduling based on program and staffing needs
• $18.35 per hour
• $19.35 per hour on weekends
• Availability for a variety of shifts may be required.
• Hours may include days, evenings, overnights, weekends, or holidays.
• Work location and assigned hours may vary based on residential program needs.
• Assistance with on-call activities or emergency coverage may be requested.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand or work for six to eight hours per shift.
• Ability