Direct Support Professional II

Texas Health and Human Services; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in Austin is seeking a Direct Support Professional II to join a team serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. The role involves morning, evening, and night shifts at the Sunrise - Residential Care facility, providing routine and emergency care, training, and life-skill support.

The DSP II works under supervision, documents daily activities, and may mentor new staff.

Qualifications

• Ability to speak and read English.
• Ability to make decisions and use good judgment in critical incidents.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in an emergency.
• Knowledge of care techniques and treatment programs or ability to learn them through training.

Responsibilities

• Attends work regularly and may work specific or rotating shifts.
• Implements habilitation and behavioral programs.
• Teaches life skills such as feeding, dressing, and personal hygiene.
• Participates in developing the individual’s treatment plan.
• Observes individuals for signs of health changes and reports observations.
• Provides assistance in transporting individuals and in emergencies.
• Administers first aid and oversees healthcare needs under supervision.
• Evacuates individuals in emergencies and supports disaster readiness.

Skills

English fluency

Decision making

Emergency response

Observation & reporting

Teamwork

Training/mentoring

Lifting techniques

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Date: Oct 9, 2026

Location: AUSTIN, TX

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

• Functional Title: Direct Support Professional II
• Job Title: Direct Support Professional II
• Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
• Department: Sunrise - Residential Care
• Posting Number: 22255
• Closing Date: 01/07/2027
• Posting Audience: Internal and External
• Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
• Salary Range: $3,047.58 - $4,149.83
• Pay Frequency: Monthly
• Salary Group: TEXAS-A-12
• Shift: Evening
• Additional Shift: Days (First); Evenings (Second); Nights (Third)
• Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
• Travel: Up to 5%
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Full Time/Part Time: Full time
• FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
• Facility Location: Austin State Supported Living Center
• Job Location City: AUSTIN
• Job Location Address: 2203 W 35TH ST
• MOS Codes: No military equivalent

Brief Job Description

This position is available for Morning, Evening and Night shifts on multiple homes.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.

The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers

If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) II works as part of a team that helps people with intellectual disabilities achieve their goals. This includes routine and emergency care, treatment, and training for people with intellectual disabilities in various settings. Responsibilities can vary, and may include such duties as grooming, bathing, feeding, observing and reporting individual’s conditions and behaviors, providing meaningful interactions with individuals, and participating in individualized training and/or active treatment programs for both males and females. The DSP documents information on the person’s life, such as things that occur throughout their daily schedule, how they respond to activities on the home, training, and unusual incidents. Completion of work requires use of simple and/or routine duties, while decision making is based on guidance that will be provided to you as you are prepared for the job and from other professional staff on your team. Work is in a team environment with guidance provided through supervision and training. May provide training/mentorship to new DSP Is and/or volunteer to serve as a shift/team lead. This position may be required to drive a state-owned vehicle.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Implements habilitation and rehabilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, and treatment programs with individuals specifically related to the individual’s programs.
• Teaches life skills such as feeding, dressing, and personal hygiene to individuals.
• Participates in the development of the individual’s treatment plan.
• Observes individuals for signs and symptoms of disease, injury, reactions to medications, or other conditions which warrant medical intervention and properly documents observations.
• Reports significant changes in individual’s physical condition or behavior and records information on individuals as appropriate.
• Provides assistance in the transporting of individuals going on scheduled activities and in emergency situations, as needed.
• Administers first aid to individuals as appropriate.
• Attends to healthcare needs of individuals under supervision of medical personnel.
• Evacuates individuals in the event of a fire, natural disaster, emergency situation, or drill.
• Prevents or manages aggressive behavior among individuals and administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in emergency interventions.
• Performs direct care and support services to individuals.
• May provide training/mentorship to new DSP Is and/or volunteer to serve as a shift/team lead.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to speak and read English
• Ability to make decisions and use good judgment when dealing with critical incidents.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in an emergency situation.
• Ability to demonstrate proper body mechanics, good posture, and proper lifting techniques.
• Knowledge of individual care techniques and of treatment, therapy, and developmental programs or to learn these through training.
• Ability to provide individual care, to administer first aid and/or CPR, to perform Ukeru (once trained), and to conduct Safe Use of Restraint (SUR).
• Ability to communicate effectively and to train/mentor/coach others.
• Ability to work effectively with others and as a member of a team.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

Valid Texas driver's license or ability to obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date, is [preferred OR required.] Applicants with an out-of-state driver's license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Certification in CPR, First Aid, Ukeru, and/or Safe Use of Restraint (SUR) is preferred.

Required

• High School diploma or equivalent, or previous employment experience.

Preferred

• 6 months of work experience.
• Experience in writing reports.
• Experience in behavior programs for persons with intellectual developmental disabilities.
• Experience in working with people who have mental health/intellectual developmental disabilities.

Additional Information

• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities (LEIE).
• Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, And Veterans

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks And Work Eligibility

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.

Nearest Major Market: Austin