Direct Support Professional - Day Program Focus

Sample Supports; Thornton (CO); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Sample Supports is seeking an energetic Direct Service Professional to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities during community-based activities and group outings.

You will help individuals explore communities, build relationships, and strengthen social and independent living skills, participating in activities reflecting their interests and goals.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services, psychology, social work, education, or related field preferred.
• 1–2 years supporting individuals with disabilities preferred.
• Must be at least 18 due to driving responsibilities.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Ability to meet motor vehicle record requirements and safely transport individuals.
• Ability to complete timely electronic documentation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to remain calm during escalations or emergencies.
• Willingness to complete CPR, First Aid, NVCI and other training.

Responsibilities

• Plan, lead, and support engaging group outings based on interests.
• Provide transportation and supervision in community settings.
• Support volunteers in activities like shopping, events, and exploration.
• Model appropriate communication, social skills, personal safety, and community behavior.
• Encourage participation, independence, choice, and self-determination.
• Complete daily service notes and documentation within 24 hours.
• Communicate progress and concerns to the team.
• Use crisis-prevention and de-escalation techniques as needed.
• Report mistreatment, abuse, neglect, or exploitation as a mandated reporter.

Skills

Communication

Patience

Teamwork

De-escalation

Documentation

Driving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Build Community Connections. Support Independence. Create Meaningful Experiences.

Sample Supports is seeking an energetic and dependable Direct Service Professional to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities during community-based activities and group outings.

In this role, you will help individuals explore their communities, build relationships, strengthen social and independent living skills, and participate in activities that reflect their interests and goals. Outings may include volunteer projects, recreation, shopping, social events, educational experiences, and other community opportunities.

This position may also include cross-training in Supported Employment and job coaching for employees interested in helping individuals develop vocational skills and succeed in community-based employment.

Culture Index Requirement

To be considered for this role, you must complete the Culture Index Survey. This is not a test, and there are no right or wrong answers. It helps us build well-balanced teams and match people with roles where they can thrive.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Plan, lead, and support engaging group outings based on individual interests and goals
• Provide transportation and required supervision in community settings
• Support activities such as volunteer work, recreation, shopping, social events, and community exploration
• Teach and model appropriate communication, social skills, personal safety, and community behavior
• Encourage participation, independence, choice, and self-determination
• Support individuals according to their service plans, behavior plans, supervision requirements, and safety protocols
• Help create an inclusive, positive, and engaging group environment
• Advocate for individuals and promote disability inclusion within the community
• Collaborate with team members to plan activities and respond to changing support needs
• Complete daily service notes, behavior tracking, and other required documentation within 24 hours
• Communicate progress, concerns, incidents, and changes to the appropriate team members
• Use trained crisis-prevention, de-escalation, and NVCI strategies when needed
• Report suspected mistreatment, abuse, neglect, or exploitation as a mandatory reporter

• Help individuals explore employment interests and career goals
• Reinforce workplace communication, reliability, and job-related skills
• Provide individualized job coaching in community employment settings
• Collaborate with Supported Employment team members to promote job success and retention

What You Bring to the Role

You enjoy being active and engaged in the community. You can organize group activities, manage logistics, provide safe supervision, and adjust when plans change.

You are patient, encouraging, and comfortable working with individuals who have different communication, behavioral, mobility, or personal support needs. You understand that community access is an important part of independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Bachelor’s degree in human services, psychology, social work, education, or a related field preferred
• One to two years of professional or volunteer experience supporting individuals with disabilities preferred
• Must be at least 18 years old due to driving responsibilities
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required
• Ability to meet motor vehicle record requirements and safely transport individuals
• Ability to complete timely electronic documentation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to remain calm and professional during behavioral escalations or emergencies
• Ability to meet the physical demands of supervising and assisting individuals in community and workplace settings
• Willingness to complete and maintain CPR, First Aid, Medication Administration, NVCI, and other required training
• Ability to pass required background and protection-services checks

Why Join Sample Supports?

At Sample Supports, we believe meaningful lives are built through relationships, opportunity, and access to the community. Your work will help individuals try new experiences, build confidence, develop skills, and create connections that matter.

We know you can choose to work anywhere, choose to work with an organization that makes a difference.

Health and Financial Benefits

• Flexible paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Postpartum wellness package
• Hospital indemnity coverage
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
• Monthly employer contribution to dependent care accounts
• Accident and short-term disability insurance
• 100% employer-paid life insurance
• Voluntary term life insurance
• Pet insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Discounted cell phone plans
• 401(k) with up to a 4% employer match

Well-Being and Professional Development Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program with free mental health, legal, and financial resources
• Paid professional development and certification opportunities
• Free clinical supervision for qualifying degrees and licenses
• Annual anniversary gifts and celebrations
• Bonus opportunities for all positions
• Dream Project
• Five- and Ten-Year Anniversary Trips
• Virtual Sleep Training and Night Nanny Services for Eligible Parents
• Weekly meal services for eligible new parents
• Supplemental parental leave pay for qualifying employees

Benefit eligibility may depend on employment status, hours worked, tenure, and applicable plan requirements.