Direct Support Professional - Residential

DDRC; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental

Vision

401(k) match

Life Insurance

FSA

Vacation/Sick

Holiday pay

PSFL program

NADSP Badge Academy

Job summary

DDRC is seeking a Direct Support Professional to assist adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a shared residential home in Colorado. You will support daily routines, meals, personal care, and community inclusion, promoting independence and person-centered choices.

This role offers a pay rate of $20.50/hour plus benefits including medical, dental, vision, a 401(k) match, life insurance, FSA, paid time off, and holiday pay.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable MVR.
• Able to pass criminal background checks and Colorado CAPS.
• Maintain current training requirements as defined in rules and regulations.
• Willingness to travel and operate agency vehicles up to 15-passenger wheelchair-accessible vans.
• Computer literate and able to document supports via a web-based system.
• Comply with applicable public health and infection control requirements as required by law or regulation.

Responsibilities

• Supports individuals living in a shared residential home in accordance with their Person‑Centered Support Plans (PCSPs), promoting personal choice, independence, dignity, cultural identity, and self‑directed routines.
• Protects and promotes individual rights, including privacy, autonomy, self‑advocacy, and informed choice, consistent with person‑centered and rights‑based practices.
• Promotes meaningful participation in community and home life by supporting individuals to engage in age‑appropriate, integrated activities that align with their interests and goals.
• Assists individuals with activities of daily living and household routines, such as personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, medication management, budgeting, and use of adaptive equipment, in alignment with individual preferences and approved support plans.
• Builds and maintains respectful, professional relationships with individuals supported, coworkers, and stakeholders to support a welcoming, collaborative household environment.
• Supports health and safety outcomes by following individual plans, established guidelines, and trauma‑informed, least‑restrictive approaches in a non‑medical residential setting.
• Completes accurate, timely, and compliant documentation using the agency's electronic documentation system to support service delivery, monitoring, and regulatory requirements.
• Responds calmly and appropriately to challenging situations using approved de‑escalation and positive support strategies consistent with training and individual plans.

Skills

Driving license

Background checks

Computer literacy

Regulatory compliance

Vehicle operation

Tools

Electronic documentation system

Job description

Join a Mission That Matters

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) plays a vital role in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who live together in a shared residential home. In this role, the DSP supports the daily rhythms of a shared household, assisting individuals with self-directed routines such as planning and preparing meals, household activities, personal care, and community inclusion. Individuals living in these homes may require hands‑on support. DSPs provide various degrees of direct support while still developing independence and encouraging personal choice.

The DSP supports individuals in the place they call home by helping create a safe, respectful, and welcoming household environment. The DSP balances the needs of the household while ensuring each person's preferences, rights, and choices are respected. This role also promotes regular opportunities for the people living in the home to engage in age‑appropriate and typical community living activities such as exploring hobbies and interests, visiting with friends and family and accessing a variety of community activities that are integrated with non‑disabled community members.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Rate of pay - $20.50/hour
• Medical Benefits - $30/month for an individual (opportunity to add dependents) $750 deductible, 100% covered after.
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) - 3% employer match
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Vacation/Sick Accrual
• Holiday Pay
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Program
• Partner with NADSP Badge Academy program

Essential Functions:

• Supports individuals living in a shared residential home in accordance with their Person‑Centered Support Plans (PCSPs), promoting personal choice, independence, dignity, cultural identity, and self‑directed routines.
• Protects and promotes individual rights, including privacy, autonomy, self‑advocacy, and informed choice, consistent with person‑centered and rights‑based practices.
• Promotes meaningful participation in community and home life by supporting individuals to engage in age‑appropriate, integrated activities that align with their interests and goals.
• Assists individuals with activities of daily living and household routines, such as personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, medication management, budgeting, and use of adaptive equipment, in alignment with individual preferences and approved support plans.
• Builds and maintains respectful, professional relationships with individuals supported, coworkers, and stakeholders to support a welcoming, collaborative household environment.
• Supports health and safety outcomes by following individual plans, established guidelines, and trauma‑informed, least‑restrictive approaches in a non‑medical residential setting.
• Completes accurate, timely, and compliant documentation using the agency's electronic documentation system to support service delivery, monitoring, and regulatory requirements.
• Responds calmly and appropriately to challenging situations using approved de‑escalation and positive support strategies consistent with training and individual plans.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Must be at least 19 years of age
• Have a valid driver's license with an acceptable MVR
• Able to pass criminal background checks and Colorado Adult Protective Services (CAPS)
• Maintain current training requirements as defined in rules and regulations.
• Ability to meet the travel and transportation requirements of the position, including operating agency vehicles up to and including 15‑passenger wheelchair‑accessible vans as assigned
• Must be computer literate with the ability to document supports through a web based electronic documentation system
• Must comply with applicable public health and infection control requirements as required by law or regulation.

Work Environment:

Our team demonstrates dedication to creating an environment where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are supported and empowered. We are committed to ensuring every person is treated with dignity, every interaction reflects respect, and every individual is offered meaningful choice in their daily lives. As a mission-driven organization, we value collaboration and long‑term growth evidenced by our impressive average employee tenure of nine years.

DDRC is an equal opportunity employer. DDRC employees and job applicants are protected from discrimination on basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. DDRC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This job description is not exhaustive and may be revised, with or without notice, based on funding, program needs, or organizational requirements. Additionally, job descriptions are subject to annual review and revision, as needed, to maintain accuracy, regulatory compliance, and alignment with operational requirements. Changes will not be discriminatory, retaliatory, or violate laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).