EOS - Direct Support Professional

United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento; California (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Sacramento is hiring a Non-Medical Direct Support Professional (DSP) to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You will provide direct support, teaching, and facilitation to help participants engage in meaningful activities aligned with their PCPs across programs, community, and virtual settings.

The role focuses on promoting independence, self-advocacy, and safety, with responsibilities including personal care, supervision,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; some college preferred.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain certification within timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Provides person-centered supervision and instruction to promote independence and PCP goals.
• Develops curriculum for individualized learning, social, pre-vocational, and community activities.
• Assists with activities of daily living and safe use of adaptive equipment as needed.
• Implements PCP goals and behavior support strategies.
• Ensures safety during transportation and adheres to dietary orders.
• Maintains accurate progress notes and reports changes in participant health or safety.

Skills

Communication

Person-Centered Support

Organization

Interpersonal Skills

Judgment and Problem Solving

Composure

Education

High School Diploma

Some College Preferred

Job description

Job Details

• Job Location: EOS - Sacramento, CA 95841
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: Not Specified
• Salary Range: $20.00 - $24.00
• Hourly Travel Percentage: None
• Job Shift: Day
• Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

Position Summary

The Non-Medical Direct Support Professional (DSP) plays a vital role in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful, self-directed lives. Under the direction of the Program Manager, the DSP provides direct support, teaching, coaching, and facilitation to help participants engage in meaningful activities that align with their Person-Centered Plans (PCP). This includes fostering independence, promoting self-advocacy, supporting skill development, and encouraging community participation. The DSP works in a variety of settings including program facilities, the community, and occasionally through virtual or technology-assisted platforms. This position is central to ensuring that each individual receives high-quality, person-centered support that honors their rights, preferences, and goals while maintaining a safe and inclusive environment.

Participant Support and Service Delivery

• Provides person-centered individual and group supervision and instruction that actively engages participants and promotes independence, choice, dignity, inclusion, communication, social engagement, and progress toward Person-Centered Plan (PCP) goals.
• Develops and facilitates curriculum for individualized learning, social, pre-vocational, and community-based activities using appropriate technology and other resources.
• Provides personal care and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), including hygiene, toileting, dressing, eating, mobility, lifting, transferring, and positioning. Safely uses adaptive and assistive equipment as required.
• Implements PCP’s, individualized goals, and non-aversive behavior support strategies, as applicable.
• Ensure the safety of all participants specifically with loading and unloading of vehicles and adhering to dietary orders.
• Assists with medication administration or support in accordance with authorized direction, agency policy, and applicable requirements.
• Contributes observations and feedback to the development and review of Person-Centered Plans (PCP); and participates in meetings as needed.

Documentation and Compliance

• Completes accurate, objective, and timely progress notes, incident reports, and other required documentation.
• Observes and promptly reports changes in participant health, behavior, safety, or well-being.
• Protects participant rights, privacy, dignity, and confidentiality and reports suspected abuse, neglect, injuries, and other required incidents in accordance with agency policy and applicable requirements.
• Complies with UCP policies and procedures, applicable Title 17 and Title 22 regulations, Regional Center requirements, and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Responds appropriately to emergencies, accidents, and safety concerns.

Communication and Collaboration

• Maintains professional and effective relationships and communication with participants, families, coworkers, supervisors, interdisciplinary teams, Regional Centers, and community partners.
• Advocates for participant rights and person-centered practices as needed.

Other Essential Duties

• Maintains regular and predictable attendance to support participant services and required staffing ratios.
• Participates and actively engages in required meetings and trainings (in person or online).
• Assists with routine cleaning and upkeep of program facilities and work areas, including taking out trash, disinfecting surfaces, laundry, and washing dishes, to maintain a clean and safe environment.
• Provide direct care support to other programs when needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; some college preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain certification within the timeframe established by UCP.

Conditions of Employment

• Successfully complete DOJ fingerprint clearance and all other required pre-employment screening requirements.

Required Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

• Communication: Communicates and collaborated clearly, professionally, and respectfully with participants, families, coworkers, supervisors, and community partners, both verbally and in writing.
• Person-Centered Support: Demonstrates the ability to support participant choice, independence, dignity, inclusion, and progress toward individualized goals.
• Organization and Documentation: Maintains accurate and timely documentation, follows established procedures, and manages assigned responsibilities effectively.
• Interpersonal Skills: Builds professional, respectful, and supportive relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Judgment and Problem Solving: Exercises sound judgment and responds appropriately to participant needs, safety concerns, emergencies, and changing situations.
• Composure: Remains calm, professional, and responsive during challenging, emotional, or high-stress situations.