Direct Support Professional (Youth)

Albertina Kerr; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Albertina Kerr is seeking a Direct Support Professional to work with youth ages 10-17 in group homes in Salem, Oregon. You will join a multidisciplinary team to support dual-diagnosis youth and help them build daily living skills, social abilities, and community connections.

Responsibilities include routines, school prep, and collaborative care with families; training is provided and a focus on trauma-informed support.

Qualifications

• At least 18 years old.
• Great social skills.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Ability to lift, push and pull 50 pounds.
• Knows basic cooking skills and willing to learn new recipes.
• Knows basic cleaning skills.
• Willing to be flexible and learn new skills.
• Licensed driver with at least two years' driving experience required for day and swing shifts.
• Preference for applicants who can work at least one weekend day.

Responsibilities

• Build safe, trusting relationships with youth.
• Support daily living needs, including personal care.
• Help youth develop skills for independence and adulthood.
• Follow behavior support plans and ensure safety.
• Collaborate with families, medical professionals, and team members.
• Monitor health and well-being.
• Support youth in the community and across program needs.

Skills

Great social skills

Background check

Lift 50 pounds

Cooking skills

Cleaning skills

Flexibility

Weekend availability

Licensed driver

Background clearance readiness

Job description

At Albertina Kerr, we believe that all people thrive in nurturing and inclusive communities. Our mission is to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges to lead self-determined lives in their communities.

As a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in our youth group homes, you'll work alongside a collaborative, multidisciplinary team - including DSPs, Behavior Specialists, Therapists, Skills Trainers, and Psychiatrists, to support youth ages 10-17 with both developmental and mental health needs (dual diagnosis). Each home supports up to four youth, each with unique backgrounds, strengths, and goals.

You'll help youth:

• Build social, emotional regulation, and advocacy skills
• Develop independence in daily living
• Strengthen relationships and community connections

Daily responsibilities vary but often include supporting morning and bedtime routines, school preparation, after-school activities, meals, and household tasks.

You'll also collaborate with families and care teams to ensure consistent, high-quality support.

At times, you may support youth who are dysregulated due to trauma or skill gaps. In these moments, you'll model emotional regulation, use approved strategies to maintain safety, and focus on relationship-building and repair.

We believe all people do well if they can, and your role is to support youth in building the skills they need to succeed.

We're looking for people who:

• Center youth and meet them where they are - on both good and challenging days
• Provide consistency and positive adult support
• Are open to learning strategies for supporting dual diagnoses
• Understand the impact of trauma on behavior

In this role, you will:

• Build safe, trusting relationships with youth
• Support daily living needs, including personal care
• Help youth develop skills for independence and adulthood
• Follow behavior support plans and ensure safety
• Collaborate with families, medical professionals, and team members
• Monitor health and well-being
• Support youth in the community and across program needs

Although assigned to a primary group home, support may be needed at other group homes. Other duties as assigned or needed.

Position covered under SEIU Local 503 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Benefits

• Paid 2-week training program to teach you the skills you need
• 100% paid medical/dental/vision plans
• Paid holidays and generous paid time off

Qualifications

• At least 18 years old
• Great social skills
• Ability to pass a background check
• Ability to lift, push and pull 50 pounds
• Knows basic cooking skills and willing to learn new recipes
• Knows basic cleaning skills
• Willing to be flexible and learn new skills
• Licensed driver with at least two years' driving experience required for day and swing shifts
• Preference for applicants who can work at least one weekend day