CHOICES Lead Direct Support Professional - Residential

Default Brand; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 27,552 - 30,307; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting wage $20.50/hr

Job summary

The Lead Direct Support Professional (Lead DSP) at Volunteers of America, Dakotas provides hands-on support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mentors the DSP team. This role models positive behaviors, ensures safety, and assists with daily living skills under the Residential Supervisor.

It supports menu planning, compliance paperwork, and training new DSPs while fostering a respectful, empowering environment.

Qualifications

• Six months of residential experience or an equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Excellent communication and time management skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Read, understand and follow Individual Support Plans (ISP).
• Ensure safety for all people in all environments.
• Maintain safe and healthy living environments for people supported.
• Provide transportation as needed based on availability.
• Assist people supported in accessing and participating in community activities.
• Follow VOA policies and procedures at all times.
• Ensure data is documented daily.
• Submit monthly reports, including approved contacts, supply orders, fire/severe weather, maintenance and sanitation reports.
• Maintain a high level of communication with supervisor and support team.
• Utilize agency email, EMAR and agency documentation systems as needed for communication.
• Follow individual support plans and document daily.
• Recognize and support partnerships among individuals, families, communities, providers, and professionals.
• Attend meetings, including DSP meetings, house meetings and agency trainings.
• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness in facility and report maintenance issues.
• Maintain safe working conditions and vehicle safety and maintenance.
• Carry out other duties as assigned to support program operations and goals.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Time management

Job description

CHOICES Lead Direct Support Professional - Residential

Job Category: Direct Care

Requisition Number: CHOIC002216

• Posted : July 28, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

Description

**This position is eligible for a $20.50/hour starting wage!**

Department: CHOICES Residential

Job Status: Full Time

Reports To: Residential Supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lead Direct Support Professional (Lead DSP) provides hands-on support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric disorders and takes on a leadership role in mentoring the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) on the team. This position is responsible for modeling positive behaviors, ensuring the well-being and safety of all people supported, and assisting with daily living skills, such as personal care, meal planning, and household maintenance. The Lead DSP works closely with the Residential Supervisor to support menu planning, compliance paperwork, and overall program adherence.

In addition, the Lead DSP plays a key role in training new DSPs, leading by example to ensure program standards are maintained. Through effective communication, empathy, and professionalism, the Lead DSP fosters a supportive environment that promotes trust and teamwork. This position contributes to the people supported’s independence and helps create a positive, empowering atmosphere for both staff and people supported.

By maintaining a caring and supportive environment, the Direct Support Professional serves as a positive role model and advocate for those in their care. The individual in this role must also represent Volunteers of America, Dakotas, in a professional and respectful manner, ensuring that the agency’s values of compassion, commitment, and empowerment are reflected in their daily actions. Working in collaboration with individuals, families, and other staff, the Direct Support Professional helps create a safe, nurturing space where individuals can thrive, reach their goals, and lead fulfilling lives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Individual Services

A. Read, understand and follow Individual Support Plans (ISP).

B. Ensure safety for all people in all environments.

C. Maintain safe and healthy living environments for people supported.

D. Provide transportation as needed based on availability.

E. Assist people supported in accessing and participating in community activities.

F. Follow VOA policies and procedures at all times.

Documentation and Communication

A. Ensure data is documented daily.

B. Submit monthly reports, not limited to:

• Approved Contacts
• Supply orders
• Fire/Severe Weather
• Maintenance and Sanitation Reports

C. Maintain a high level of communication with supervisor and support team.

D. Utilize agency email, EMAR and agency documentation systems as needed for communication

Support Services

A. Follow individual support plans and document daily.

B. Recognize and support mutually respectful partnerships among individuals, their families, communities, providers, and professionals.

C. Attend meetings, to include but not limited to: DSP meetings, house meetings and agency trainings.

Facility

A. Maintain a high standard of cleanliness in facility and report all maintenance issues.

B. Maintain safe working conditions.

C. Ensure vehicle safety and maintenance.

Responsible to carry out other duties as assigned to support program operations and goals.

POSITIONS QUALIFICATIONS SKILLS & ABILITIES

Experience: Six months of residential experience or an equivalent combination of education/experience

Skills: Excellent communication skills, time management are necessary

Certifications & Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Other Requirements: Requires consistent exercise of discretion and judgment in the performance of duties

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

A. Ability to Stand, Walk, sit, manually manipulate, reach outward and above shoulders, speak, climb, crawl, squat, kneel, and bend on a daily basis

B. Capability to Lift, carry, push or pull up to 50 lbs on a daily basis

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.