Direct Care Worker II

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Danvers (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Danvers, MA seeks a Direct Care Worker II to provide direct care services and support daily living and community participation for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The role involves implementing programs, assisting with rights, supervising and training staff as needed, and may require evening hours and overtime in emergencies. Competitive benefits and state employment protections apply.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of full-time direct care experience with persons with developmental/intellectual disabilities or related settings.
• Associate’s degree or higher in human services or related field; substitutions allowed.
• Must possess current and valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s License; MAP certification; CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push or pull heavy objects.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing habilitative, behavioral and recreational programs; perform related cooking/housekeeping duties; dispense medications per law.
• Communicate with individuals served to promote growth, rights, and community integration.
• Support individuals in understanding and exercising their rights to their fullest potential.
• Report abuse/neglect to residential supervisor and complete required paperwork; maintain confidential records.
• May drive individuals to work, appointments, and recreational outings.
• Perform crisis intervention as needed; maintain confidential records.

Skills

MAP Certification

CPR First Aid

Driver's license

Communication skills

Education

Associate’s degree or higher in human services

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description - Direct Care Worker II (260005F3)

Job Description

Direct Care Worker II - ( 260005F3 )

Description

This position is located in Danvers, MA

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) seeks a caring and compassionate applicant for the role of DIRECT CARE WORKER II (DSW II) who is committed to building meaningful relationships in order to provide outstanding care and service. The DSW II provides direct care services and aid to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing for the participants' needs in daily living and those skills necessary for community life.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Assist in the implementation of habilitative, behavioral and recreational programs; perform program-related cooking and housekeeping duties; dispense medications in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations;


• Communicate about, and with, the individuals served in a manner which promotes their growth, human rights and integration into the community;


• Assist, instruct and support individuals in understanding and exercising their rights to their fullest potential;


• Report, as mandatory reporters, all abuse and neglect to the residential supervisor and to the Director of Residential support all incidences of abuse in accordance with regulations; and complete required paperwork;


• May drive individuals to work, appointments and recreational outings;


• Perform crisis intervention; and maintain confidential records of individuals.

Incumbents at this level, based on assignment may act as a shift supervisor, and are responsible for duties including the following:

• Monitor Developmental Service Worker I's (DSW I's) to ensure that they are acting as advocates and demonstrating respect and positive regard for individuals with developmental disabilities.


• Function as a working supervisor, providing daily supervision and training to DSW I's through instruction in the daily routines and schedules of individuals with developmental disabilities, through demonstration, and role modeling, in order to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities receive appropriate services and opportunities within a normalized environment.


• As a shift supervisor, implement services that ensure the safety and health of individuals by maintaining a safe and clean home environment: Observe, evaluate, and take appropriate and timely action in notifying pertinent medical staff of health-related issues, and performing other related assignments for the purpose of providing optimal care to persons with developmental disabilities.


• Make staff assignments within residence, as shift supervisor.


• Assist in the evaluations of DSW I's.


• Must be able to lift, carry, push or pull heavy objects.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the comprehensive service needs of persons with developmental/intellectual disabilities and their families/guardians.


• Ability to give written or verbal instructions in a clear and understandable manner, and to plan, assign and coordinate the activities of others.

Agency Requirements:

• Must possess current and valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s License;


• Applicants must pass the Medication Administration Program (MAP) certification;


• After successfully completing a training program, the selected candidate must acquire and maintain; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid (FA) certification.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is designated as an \"EMERGENCY\" position in the Department of Developmental Services Emergency Plan. This means that whenever the Governor declares that the Commonwealth is in a state of emergency, selected applicant will be required to report to work. This is a 24hour/7 days a week staff position. Candidates must be able to be flexible in their work schedule. The Department of Developmental Services requires employees in this position to be able to perform \"MANDATORY OVERTIME\" when circumstances dictate the need.

Scheduled Hours:

Hours: 40 Full Time- 3pm-11:30pm
Days off: Sunday and Monday

About the Department of Developmental Services

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

• Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:

Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:

• Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities (CPPD) Abuse Registry Search: https:cppdmass.gov


• Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at:

For technical help with Mass Careers, including logging into your profile and/or resetting your password, please call the Employee Service Center at617-979-8500for assistance.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4.

AL L EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS AND MUST HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have (A) at least one (1) year of full-time or equivalent part-time, experience in providing direct support services to persons with developmental/ intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

An Associate’s degree or higher with a major in a human services field, including sociology, special education, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or other related field may be substituted for the required experience.

Incumbents are required to possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (\"Regulation\") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affiantive Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Primary Location

Danvers, MA

Job

Direct Care

Agency

Department of Developmental Services

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Evening

Job Posting

Aug 14, 2026, 5:22:53 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

52,178.36 - 67,380.30 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affiantive Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Kendy Derival, [e-mail] - 8572835867

Bargaining Unit : 02-AFSCME - Service/Institutional

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : No