DSP Caregiver & CNA Trainee (Paid Training) 2026-02161

State of Wyoming; Lander (WY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement: Pension and 457B

Flexible schedules with 12-hour shifts

Education Leave for CNA training

Hiring Bonus: $2,000

Job summary

The State of Wyoming is hiring a Direct Support Professional trainee at the Wyoming Life Resource Center in Lander. You will support residents with daily activities while you train for CNA certification and earn a paycheck.

No medical experience is required to start; the state covers CNA training costs. A $2,000 hiring bonus is offered and a comprehensive benefits package accompanies the role.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of progressive work experience (typically in Human Services).
• CNA Certification obtained within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Associate's degree in healthcare as an acceptable education path.
• Experience not strictly required for entry-level candidates.

Responsibilities

• Help residents with daily living activities and independence.
• Plan outings and participate in group activities with residents.
• Advocate for residents' needs and goals within the team.
• Attend team meetings and track resident progress.
• Follow safety plans and provide care during challenging moments.

Skills

Communications with residents

De-escalation techniques

Team collaboration

Education

Associate's degree in healthcare

CNA certification within 12 months of hire

Job description

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This position is eligible for a $2,000 hiring bonus

At the Wyoming Life Resource Center (WLRC), we help people with disabilities live full, happy lives. We are looking for caring, motivated people to join our team in Lander.

This is the perfect first step if you want to work in healthcare. You don’t need any medical experience to start. We will hire you as a Direct Support Professional and pay for your Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training while you are already earning a paycheck. We take care of the costs so you can focus on growing your career!

What will you be doing?

As a Caregiver and Trainee, you are a professional supporter and friend. You will help our residents with their daily activities. You might help someone with their morning routine, take a group to the movies or a Special Olympics event, or help a resident shop for their family. Your job is to make sure our residents feel included, heard, and happy. It is active work that makes a real difference in the lives of people in your community.

Why You Will Love Working Here

We know you have a life outside of work. Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement: Pension and 457B plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options: Work 12-hour shifts and enjoy 3 or 4 days off every single week.
• Education Leave: We pay for your schooling! We provide leave so you can continue your education while keeping your job.
• Hiring Bonus: Start now and be eligible for a $2,000 bonus!
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities

And MUCH MORE! Click here for detailed information, or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefit package!

Want to see the full value of your compensation beyond salary? Explore our compensationcalculator.wyo.gov

Human Resource Contact: 307-757-0268 / [e-mail]

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Daily Living Support: You will help residents with daily tasks and encourage them to try new things and be independent.
• Community Fun: You will go on outings with residents, such as dining out, going to the movies, or visiting family.
• Being an Advocate: You will help residents express their needs and goals to others.
• Teamwork: You will help plan fun events, attend team meetings, and keep track of resident progress.
• Safety & Care: You will provide a watchful eye to keep residents safe and follow plans to help them through challenging moments

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of how to be a positive and effective communicator with residents and their families.
• Ability to learn therapy plans and follow safety rules.
• Ability to remain calm and apply de-escalation techniques when a resident is experiencing challenging behaviors.
• Knowledge of how to be professional and keep healthy boundaries at work.
• Skills in using a computer for basic emails and notes.
• Knowledge of how to help with fun social activities and keep residents motivated.
• Ability to learn emergency steps like First Aid, CPR (BLS), and crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to work comfortably with people who have severe disabilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience Substitution: 1-3 years of progressive work experience (typically in Human Services)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: CNA Certification obtained within twelve (12) months of hire

OR

Education: Associate's degree (typically in healthcare)

Experience: No prior experience is required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: CNA Certification obtained within twelve (12) months of hire

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Must be able to:

• Safely move (twisting, bending, lifting, kneeling, pushing, pulling), position, and lift people with multiple and severe disabilities.
• Ability to monitor sounds, noises, locations of residents, etc,. to assure safety and assess imminent danger and emerging concerns.
• Ability to work alone and/or with multiple residents, including those who may display challenging behaviors.
• Ability to intervene and provide support and redirection during resident behavior episodes.
• Ability to work in a high-stress situation, if necessary.

NOTES

• FLSA: Non-Exempt
• A background check, including the taking of fingerprints, will be completed through the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Family Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for every successful applicant.
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing will be conducted on safety-sensitive positions. Drug testing will be conducted on any position if reasonable suspicion exists.
• The Wyoming Life Resource Center participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.
• The Wyoming Department of Health offers an excellent benefits package, including medical/dental/vision insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, a state retirement plan, a deferred compensation program, and longevity pay.
• Hiring Bonus eligibility and conditions
  • New state employees and temporary employees accepting a permanent position
  • Current state employees acceptinga promotional opportunity - recruitment must have been open to the public
  • One year of service in the position must be completed. Failure to complete this requirement will require reimbursement of the bonus with the funds deducted from the final pay.
  • Internal candidates will be required to remain in the position for a minimum of one (1) year from the promotion date.
  • Employees will only be eligible for one (1) hiring bonus in a 12-month period.

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Click here to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.

URL: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wyoming/default.cfm

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.

307-757-0268 / [e-mail]