Direct Support Professional

Starbright Connections LLC; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Paid time off

401(k)

Medical and dental benefits for 30+hrs

Documentation time

Pre-shift communication time

Job summary

Starbright Connections LLC is hiring Direct Support Professionals to assist adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a community-based day program in the Denver metro area. DSPs provide hands-on support, transport participants, and help with daily activities while documenting progress.

Schedule options vary, including Wednesday-Saturday, Monday-Thursday, and on-call shifts. Benefits include holidays, paid time off, and 401(k).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Reliable personal vehicle and valid driver's license.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain).
• QMAP certification when administering medications (if applicable).

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support and supervision to adults with disabilities.
• Transport participants to activities throughout the Denver metro area.
• Support participants with communication, social skills, independence, and community engagement.
• Complete accurate daily documentation and follow participant plans.

Skills

Dependable

Positive attitude

Reliable attendance

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Direct Support Professional (DSP) – Community-Based Day Program

Starbright Connections LLC

Denver Metro Area

$21.00 per hour | Multiple Schedules Available

Starbright Connections LLC is looking for dependable, positive, and motivated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community.

We are a 100% community-based day program. Instead of spending the day in a facility, our participants are out exploring the Denver metro area, participating in activities, building relationships, developing skills, volunteering, trying new experiences, and being active members of their communities.

We're looking for DSPs who understand that our participants are the reason we're here and who are comfortable with the hands‑on, active, and flexible nature of direct support work.

Available Schedules

We are currently hiring for three schedule options. Please indicate which schedule(s) you are available to consistently work.

Schedule 1 – Wednesday through Saturday

• Wednesday: Afternoon/evening
• Thursday: Afternoon/evening
• Friday: Daytime, with evening availability when scheduled
• Saturday: Daytime, with evening availability when scheduled

Schedule 2 – Monday through Thursday

• Daytime hours

Schedule 3 – On-Call / Fill-In

• Flexible coverage for employee absences, scheduled time off, special activities, and additional staffing needs
• Days and hours vary based on available shifts

Pay & Benefits

$21.00 per hour

• Paid Holidays
• Paid Personal Time
• 401(k)
• Medical and Dental benefits available for employees working 30+ hours per week
• Paid documentation time
• Paid 30‑minute pre‑shift communication period

What You'll Do

As a DSP, you will:

• Provide direct support and supervision to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Transport participants to activities and locations throughout the Denver metro area.
• Participate in community activities such as museums, recreation centers, parks, shopping, volunteering, restaurants, community events, and more.
• Support participants with communication, social skills, choice‑making, money management, independence, and community engagement.
• Provide hands‑on toileting, hygiene, changing, and personal‑care assistance when needed.
• Assist participants who use wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility equipment.
• Assist participants with safely entering and exiting vehicles.
• Load and unload wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility or medical equipment.
• Assist participants with meals and safe‑eating needs.
• Follow participant‑specific service plans, supervision requirements, health and safety protocols, and Starbright policies.
• Complete accurate daily documentation.
• Work as part of a team while also being able to work independently, use good judgment, and take initiative without constant supervision.

Transportation Requirements

Reliable personal transportation is required.

Applicants must

• Have a reliable personal vehicle capable of safely transporting at least 3 participants.
• Have a valid driver's license, current vehicle registration, and automobile insurance.
• Be comfortable transporting participants throughout the Denver metro area and surrounding communities, including Denver, Aurora, Parker, Littleton, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, and other locations.
• Be comfortable independently using GPS/maps and navigation apps to locate participant homes and community activities.

Starbright provides company vans as needed based on participant, route, accessibility, or vehicle‑capacity needs.

This Is an Active, Hands‑On Position

Applicants must be comfortable:

• Providing toileting, hygiene, and other personal‑care assistance.
• Assisting participants with wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility needs.
• Bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, standing, and walking throughout the workday.
• Occasionally lifting and handling mobility or medical equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Providing hands‑on mobility assistance or stabilization to adult participants who may weigh more than 100 lbs.

Employees are not expected to independently lift or carry adult participants.

Reliability Is Important

Excellent and dependable attendance is an essential expectation of this position.

Our staffing is based on the supervision, transportation, health, safety, and support needs of the people we serve. When a DSP is unexpectedly absent, those responsibilities cannot simply be postponed until another day.

We're looking for employees who can consistently report for their scheduled shifts, arrive on time, and understand the importance of being dependable in a direct‑support position.

A Positive Attitude Matters

Our activities are planned for our participants, and DSPs are expected to support those activities with a positive and encouraging attitude—even when an activity isn't something the employee would personally choose.

Staff attitudes can influence participant experiences and choices. We expect DSPs to avoid complaining about assigned activities in front of participants and instead help create a positive environment where participants can form their own opinions and make their own choices.

Participants always have the right to express their own preferences. Legitimate concerns about safety, accessibility, participant needs, or an activity should be communicated to a Lead or supervisor.

Additional Workday Expectations

DSPs clock in and are available for work‑related communication 30 minutes before their first scheduled participant pickup. This is paid time and allows employees to receive route changes, attendance updates, participant information, and other important communication.

Employees are responsible for planning their commute so they arrive at their first participant pickup on time. Depending on distance and traffic, this may mean beginning the commute more than 30 minutes before the first pickup.

Daily service notes are completed after direct participant services are finished. Documentation time is paid.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred
• Reliable personal vehicle capable of transporting at least 3 participants
• Valid driver's license
• Current vehicle registration and automobile insurance
• Comfortable driving throughout the Denver metro area
• Comfortable using GPS and navigation apps independently
• Able to use a smartphone, tablet, or computer for communication and documentation
• Able to complete clear and accurate written documentation
• CPR/First Aid certification or ability to complete required certification
• QMAP certification when administering medications
• Ability to successfully complete required orientation and training

Previous DSP or IDD experience is helpful, but reliability, willingness to learn, a positive attitude, good judgment, and genuine interest in supporting adults with disabilities are extremely important to us.

Who Will Be Successful at Starbright?

This position may be a great fit if you are someone who:

• Enjoys being out in the community and having variety in your workday.
• Is dependable and takes being on time seriously.
• Is comfortable providing hands‑on support and personal care.
• Can work independently without needing constant direction.
• Can adapt when schedules, activities, routes, or participant needs change.
• Is willing to participate in activities based on participant interests rather than your own preferences.
• Enjoys helping people build independence, relationships, skills, and community connections.
• Understands that being a DSP means being actively engaged with the people you are supporting.

If you're looking for meaningful, active, community‑based work and believe you would be a great fit for Starbright Connections, we'd love to hear from you!