Direct Support Professional

State of Iowa; Woodward (IA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Paid Time Off (96h vacation, 144h sick

Retirement Plans (IPERS, RIC)

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life Insurance & Long-term Disability

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Discount Programs

Job summary

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Woodward Resource Center is seeking Direct Support Professionals (DSP) to assist individuals in living more independent lives. No specific education or experience required; training provided.

You will be actively engaged in daily routines, personal care, and teaching skills to reach individual goals. We offer full-time positions with shift differentials for 2nd and 3rd shifts, opportunities for growth, and a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• No formal education or experience required—compassion, dedication, and desire to support individuals to live their best, most independent lives.
• This is hands-on, active engagement work.
• As a Direct Support Professional, you’ll be present with individuals throughout the day, helping with personal care and daily routines, while teaching and reinforcing skills toward individual goals.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals with daily living and independence skills.
• Promote person-centered goals through Individual Support Plans.
• Help individuals build communication and self-care skills.
• Use de-escalation techniques to support individuals during challenging moments.
• Maintain a safe, respectful environment and follow established procedures.
• Document services and progress, sharing updates with the team.

Skills

Compassionate

Patient

Dependable

Calm under pressure

Teamwork

Job description

Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can make a real difference every day? The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, is currently seeking Direct Support Professionals (DSP) to join the dedicated team at Woodward Resource Center (WRC).

No specific education or experience is required — just compassion, dedication, and a desire to support individualsin living their best, most independent lives. We’ll provide the training you need to be successful!

This is hands-on, active engagement work. As a DSP, you'll be physically present with individuals throughout their day, helping with personal care, daily routines, and using those moments to actively teach and reinforce skillsthat build toward each person's individual goals.

What We Offer

• Full-time positions with shift differentials for 2nd and 3rd shift
• Growth and advancement opportunities
• Supportive, team-focused environment
• Meaningful work helping individuals live more independently

• Outstanding benefits from day 1 – see below for more details

What You’ll Do

• Support individuals withdaily living and independence skills
• Promote person-centered goals through Individual Support Plans through daily routines, teaching and reinforcing skills
• Help individuals build and maintain skills like communication, taking care of themselves and coping with difficult moments
• Use de-escalation techniques to help individuals through moments of frustration or aggression
• Maintain a safe, respectful environment and follow established procedures
• Document services, progress and share updates with the team supporting each person

What We’re Looking For

• Compassionate, patient, dependable and calm individuals, even in difficult moments
• Resilience, strong communication and teamwork skills
• Commitment to dignity, respect, and high-quality care

• Willingness to create a warm, home-like environment for every individual
• Ability to work overtime as needed – paid at time and a half!

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

WRC provides a wide range of services, including ICF/IID residential care, supported community living, behavioral health, training, and more. Learn more about WRC: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/woodward-resource-center.

Benefits of Joining WRC

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation(96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

Woodward Highlights

Woodward is a city of approximately 1,300 located in central Iowa. The High Trestle Trail begins here and boasts 25 miles of paved surface running through five towns and four counties in the heart of Iowa. The trail includes an iconic, 1/2-mile, 13-story high bridge across the Des Moines River valley, one of the largest trail bridges in the world. The Iowa Arboretum & Gardens is just a quick drive away offering more trails, scenic overlooks and other amazing natural features.

Woodward is about 30 minutes away Ames, home of Iowa State University. Des Moines, Iowa’s capitol city, is also about the same distance away and home to Casey’s Center (host site of NCAA Basketball and premier concerts) and Lauridsen Skatepark, the nation’s largest skatepark. Additionally, Des Moines hosts one of the nation’s finest State Fairs and is home to professional sports teams the Iowa Cubs, Iowa Wolves, Iowa Barnstormers and Iowa Wild. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with "lived experience" and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

No specific education or experience is required.