Direct Support Professional/Residential Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Reports To: Operations Manager/House Manager

Job Summary

The Direct Support Professional/Residential Counselor is a support role responsible for providing direct, hands-on support to youth transitioning to independent living. The incumbent works daily with residents to support activities of daily living, encourage community inclusion, ensure program compliance, and foster peer leadership. In this capacity, you will supervise and mentor residential staff—including direct support professionals and residential counselors—while maintaining mandated resident-to-counselor ratios and overseeing food safety protocols through Food Handler oversight.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Resident Support & Daily Living Assistance:
  • Work directly with residents to support daily activities, personal development, and independent living skills.
  • Provide one-on-one and group guidance, facilitating activities that promote community inclusion, skill development, and peer leadership.
• Program Compliance & Quality Assurance:
  • Ensure all program operations and client services adhere to DC CFSA guidelines and ILP policies.
  • Maintain meticulous documentation on resident progress, program compliance, and staff performance.
  • Lead the implementation of quality improvement initiatives and prepare for audits/reviews as required.
• Emergency Preparedness & Safety:
  • Coordinate and execute regular fire drills and emergency preparedness drills.
  • Ensure staff and residents are well-trained on safety protocols and emergency response procedures.
• Food Safety Oversight:
  • Supervise Food Handling and ensure all participant are preparing food with food safety protocols.
  • Monitor and enforce hygiene standards to support resident health and well-being.
• Community Engagement & Peer Leadership:
  • Establish and foster relationships with community partners to expand resources and opportunities for residents.
  • Empower youth by facilitating peer-led initiatives and leadership opportunities.
• Additional Responsibilities:
  • Assist with the management of resident personal funds and budgeting as part of holistic support.
  • Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and program planning discussions to continuously enhance service delivery.

Qualifications

• Educational Requirements:
  • Required: High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
  • A degree in social work, psychology, or a related field may be substituted for the required experience.
• Experience:
  • A minimum of five (5) years of experience in human services delivery, preferably working with adolescents and young adults.
• Operational & Supervisory Expertise:
  • Demonstrated ability to oversee residential operations and maintain specialized staffing ratios.
  • Prior experience supervising direct support professionals and residential staff in a human services or independent living setting.
• Additional Competencies:
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for managing documentation, compliance, and emergency procedures.
  • Familiarity with food safety standards and experience supervising Food Handlers is preferred.
  • A commitment to promoting community inclusion, peer leadership, and comprehensive support for youth transitioning to independence.