LEAD DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Abraxas Youth & Family Services; Woodland Park (NJ); On-site; USD 55,104,000 - 60,614,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

DailyPay Available

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness programs

Employee referral bonuses

Company-paid training

Job summary

Advancing Opportunities is seeking a Lead Direct Support Professional in New Jersey to mentor staff and lead a residential team to provide compassionate, person-centered care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The role focuses on safety, independence, and community participation within a home-like setting.

You will supervise daily activities, coordinate programming, and ensure compliance with regulations while supporting residents in achieving personal goals and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities or mental illness.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid, non-provisional driver’s license.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and adaptive transportation equipment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to complete and maintain CPR, First Aid, and all required training.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals with daily living activities including personal care, grooming, meal planning and preparation, housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and home maintenance.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and assistance that promote independence, personal choice, dignity, safety, and quality of life.
• Help individuals develop self-care, independent living, social, academic, pre-vocational, and vocational skills.
• Support individuals in building relationships and participating in recreational, social, and community activities.
• Transport and accompany individuals to medical, psychological, behavioral health, and other appointments.
• Communicate appointment information and ensure required follow-up is completed.
• Assist individuals with medications in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, and training.
• Review and audit medication administration records, medication counts, logs, and related documentation.
• Monitor individual health, behavioral, and personal care needs and communicate changes or concerns to the Residential Manager and treatment team members.
• Recognize potential crisis situations and respond using approved behavioral support and crisis intervention techniques.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate, timely, concise, and legible service documentation, progress notes, data records, medication records, logs, and other required reports.
• Assist with the preparation of monthly reports for referring agencies, guardians, and parents, as required.
• Mentor Direct Support Professionals and provide on-site guidance, coaching, and training.
• Help staff understand and consistently follow individual treatment plans, behavioral plans, and program procedures.
• Provide direction to staff regarding work performance and communicate concerns to the Residential Manager.
• Help coordinate evening and weekend programming, including house meetings, recreation, and skill-building activities.
• Ensure menus are followed and individuals receive balanced meals.
• Help ensure each individual has adequate clothing, personal supplies, and resources.
• Maintain a safe, therapeutic, home-like residential environment.
• Complete safety inspections, fire drills, and facility checks per policy.
• Report facility, vehicle, equipment, and maintenance concerns.
• Operate organizational vehicles safely and practice safe driving.
• Maintain professional boundaries and model ethical conduct.
• Promote teamwork, open communication, accountability, and cooperation among residential staff.
• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, required training, and evaluations.
• Provide weekend and after-hours leadership support and on-call responses.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and safety regulations.
• Support the organization’s mission, values, and person-centered services.

Skills

Compassionate

Dependable

Patient

Hands-on support

Mentoring staff

Team-oriented

Detail-oriented

Communication skills

Crisis management

Confidentiality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Lead Direct Support Professional

Make a Difference Every Day

New Jersey

Full-Time | Tuesday through Saturday, 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

$19.35 per hour | $20.35 per hour weekends

DailyPay Available

Looking for More Than Just a Job?

At Advancing Opportunities, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, fulfilling, and independent life.

We are seeking a compassionate and dependable Lead Direct Support Professional who wants to make a difference, build a rewarding career, and become part of a team committed to helping others succeed. In this leadership role, you will provide direct support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities while mentoring staff, promoting regulatory compliance, and helping maintain a safe, supportive, and home‑like residential environment.

As a Lead Direct Support Professional, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills while helping individuals increase their independence, participate in their communities, and achieve their personal goals.

Why Join Our Team?

Competitive Pay & Benefits

• Competitive weekday and weekend compensation
• DailyPay, allowing access to earned wages before payday
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness programs
• Employee referral bonuses
• Company-paid training

Career Growth & Development

• Paid training programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Certification opportunities
• Leadership development programs
• Career advancement opportunities
• Opportunities across multiple service lines

Meaningful Work That Matters

• Make a difference every day
• Help individuals build independence and life skills
• Support meaningful community participation
• Build positive and supportive relationships
• Mentor and guide Direct Support Professionals
• Join a mission-driven organization

What You’ll Do

• Support individuals with daily living activities, including personal hygiene, grooming, meal planning and preparation, housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and home maintenance.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and assistance that promote independence, personal choice, dignity, safety, and quality of life.
• Help individuals develop self-care, independent living, social, academic, pre-vocational, and vocational skills.
• Support individuals in building relationships and participating in recreational, social, and community activities.
• Transport and accompany individuals to medical, psychological, behavioral health, and other appointments.
• Communicate appointment information and ensure required follow-up is completed.
• Assist individuals with medications in accordance with organizational policies, approved procedures, and required training.
• Review and audit medication administration records, medication counts, logs, and related documentation.
• Monitor individual health, behavioral, and personal care needs and communicate changes or concerns to the Residential Manager and appropriate treatment team members.
• Recognize potential crisis situations and respond using approved behavioral support and crisis intervention techniques.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate, timely, concise, and legible service documentation, progress notes, data records, medication records, critical logs, and other required reports.
• Assist with the preparation of monthly reports for referring agencies, guardians, and parents, as required.
• Mentor Direct Support Professionals and provide on-site guidance, coaching, and training.
• Help staff understand and consistently follow individual treatment plans, behavioral plans, motivational systems, policies, and program procedures.
• Provide direction to staff regarding work performance and promptly communicate performance or compliance concerns to the Residential Manager.
• Help coordinate evening and weekend programming, including house meetings, recreation, socialization, treatment plan activities, and skill-building opportunities.
• Ensure menus are followed and individuals receive balanced and appealing meals that meet their identified health and nutritional needs.
• Help ensure each individual has adequate clothing, personal supplies, and access to necessary resources.
• Maintain a safe, therapeutic, respectful, and home-like residential environment.
• Complete and follow up on safety inspections, fire drills, and facility checks according to policy and procedure.
• Promptly report facility, vehicle, equipment, utility, security, and maintenance concerns.
• Operate organizational vehicles safely and use safe driving practices when transporting individuals.
• Maintain professional boundaries and model appropriate, respectful, and ethical conduct.
• Promote teamwork, open communication, accountability, and cooperation among residential staff.
• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, required training, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
• Provide weekend and after-hours leadership support and respond to on-call personnel when assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, OSHA, fire and safety, personnel, and organizational requirements.
• Support the organization’s mission, vision, values, ethical standards, and commitment to person-centered services.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Residential Manager, Residential Coordinator, Residential Specialist, Regional Director, or other authorized supervisor.

Who We’re Looking For

• Compassionate and respectful
• Dependable and accountable
• Patient and service-focused
• Comfortable providing hands‑on support
• Confident guiding and mentoring staff
• Team‑oriented and professional
• Organized and attentive to detail
• Able to remain calm during challenging situations
• Committed to protecting individual rights, dignity, and confidentiality
• Motivated to help people achieve greater independence

QualificationsRequired

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities or mental illness.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid, non-provisional driver’s license.
• Current vehicle registration and insurance, as required for the position.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and adaptive transportation equipment, including wheelchair lifts, when assigned.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer literacy, including experience with Microsoft Office, email, electronic timekeeping, and related applications.
• Ability to complete accurate service, medication, behavioral, safety, and program documentation.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to supervise or assist individuals within a residential program.
• Ability to complete and maintain CPR, First Aid, and all other required training and annual competencies.
• Ability to work flexible hours based on individual and organizational needs, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and other locations when required.
• Ability to meet all pre-employment and ongoing screening requirements.

Preferred

• Previous supervisory, lead, or staff-mentoring experience.
• Knowledge of developmental disabilities and mental health conditions.
• Knowledge of trauma, trauma-informed care, and trauma-informed environments.
• Experience with medication administration, documentation, or auditing.
• Experience implementing treatment plans, behavioral supports, or skill-development programs.
• Familiarity with residential licensing standards and community-based disability services.

Schedule

• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Regular Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday
• Shift: 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Weekday Rate: $19.35 per hour, Tuesday through Friday
• Weekend Rate: $20.35 per hour on Saturday
• Flexibility may be required based on program needs, including holidays, alternate hours, additional locations, or emergency coverage.
• Weekend or after-hours management support may be required through the on-call system.

Employment and Regulatory Requirements

• Criminal background screening
• Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities screening
• Child Abuse Record Information, or CARI, screening
• Pre-employment drug testing
• Random and for-cause drug testing during employment
• Cooperation with inspections, inquiries, or investigations conducted by the organization or the New Jersey Department of Human Services
• Compliance with applicable organizational policies, Division of Disability Services requirements, and residential licensing standards
• Completion of all required training, meetings, competency reviews, and employment documentation

Physical Requirements

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, stoop, twist, and climb stairs.
• Work in residential, office, community, and other program environments.
• Assist individuals with personal care, mobility, daily living activities, and emergency needs.
• Lift more than 50 pounds when required to perform assigned job duties safely.
• Drive a vehicle and operate vehicle or wheelchair lifts.
• Use adaptive equipment, telephones, computers, copiers, calculators, and common household appliances.
• Work in facilities that may include multiple floors, stairs, and elevator access.
• Follow required precautions related to bloodborne pathogens, fire safety, security, HIPAA, and workplace hazards.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apis Services, Inc., Inperium Inc., and affiliates provide equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment in compliance with all federal and applicable state and local laws and regulations,