DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL-HOURLY

Make a Difference Every Day

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Trenton, NJ
Part-Time
$17.16 per hour | $18.16 per hour on 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’re seeking compassionate, dedicated professionals who are looking for more than a paycheck. We’re looking for individuals who want to make a difference, build rewarding careers, and become part of a team committed to helping others succeed.

Whether you’re beginning your career, changing professions, or bringing years of experience, we provide the training, support, and opportunities needed to help you thrive.

Paid training provided.

About Advancing Opportunities

Advancing Opportunities provides high-quality services and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our employees play a vital role in helping individuals achieve greater independence, confidence, and success while promoting dignity, respect, inclusion, and personal choice. Every day, our team members make a meaningful impact by supporting individuals in reaching their goals, developing important life skills, and becoming active members of their communities.

Why Join Our Team?

Competitive Pay & Benefits

• $17.16 per hour
• $18.16 per hour for weekend hours
• DailyPay, access your earned wages before payday
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness programs
• Employee referral bonuses
• Company-paid training
• Benefits eligibility may vary based on employment status and applicable plan requirements

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
• Support individuals in achieving greater independence
• Build meaningful and supportive relationships
• Promote dignity, inclusion, and personal choice
• Help strengthen the communities we serve
• Join a mission-driven organization

What You’ll Do

As a Direct Support Professional, you will provide compassionate care and assistance to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, you will help ensure the health, safety, independence, and overall well-being of the individuals in our care.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assist individuals with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, meal preparation, housekeeping, shopping, and household maintenance
• Support individuals in developing skills that promote greater independence and improve their quality of life
• Provide supervision, guidance, and encouragement in accordance with each individual’s service plan
• Help individuals develop relationships and participate in recreational, educational, religious, and community-based activities
• Transport individuals to medical appointments, day programs, community activities, family visits, and other approved destinations
• Administer medications and carry out prescribed healthcare programs after completing all required training
• Follow Individual Service Plans, Individual Habilitation Plans, Behavior Support Plans, and established supervision requirements
• Implement behavioral programs using approved methods and materials
• Monitor and respond appropriately to crisis situations while following organizational policies and established best practices
• Maintain a safe, respectful, supportive, and trauma-informed environment
• Protect the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of every individual served
• Accurately complete daily logs, medication records, goal logs, incident reports, seizure records, vehicle logs, financial records, and other required documentation
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment in accordance with organizational policies and applicable requirements
• Assist with annual community residence licensing and regulatory compliance activities
• Attend required staff meetings, training sessions, and competency-based programs
• Work collaboratively with the Lead DSP, Residential Manager, clinical team, families, and other support professionals
• Maintain accurate timekeeping records through the designated HRIS system
• Assist with emergency and on-call activities when requested
• Follow all organizational, DDD, OSHA, HIPAA, fire safety, and personnel policies and procedures
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned

Who We’re Looking For

You may be a great fit if you are:

• Compassionate
• Dependable
• Patient
• Team-oriented
• Service-focused
• Professional
• Positive
• Respectful
• Safety-conscious
• Committed to helping others achieve their goals

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent certificate
• At least 21 years of age
• Valid driver’s license
• Clean motor vehicle record
• Current vehicle registration and insurance, when required
• Ability to successfully complete all required background checks and screenings
• Ability to complete required training, including CPR and First Aid
• Ability to read, write, communicate, and complete documentation in English
• Basic computer literacy, including experience with email, Microsoft Office, electronic timekeeping, and related applications
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to fulfill the physical requirements of the position
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements
• Schedule flexibility based on program and business needs

Preferred

• Associate or bachelor’s degree
• Six months to one year of direct experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Previous experience in human services, residential services, behavioral health, or a related field
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and the creation of trauma-informed environments
• Experience with medication administration, behavioral support plans, or service-plan documentation

Skills and Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent documentation skills
• Sound judgment and problem-solving abilities
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately during stressful or crisis situations
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals, families, coworkers, supervisors, funding sources, and community partners
• Ability to identify, respond to, and report safety or security concerns
• Ability to manage basic financial and mathematical documentation accurately
• Ability to provide respectful, age-appropriate, and person-centered support

Schedule

• Part-Time
• Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday
• 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Weekend availability is required
• Working schedules may be adjusted based on program or business needs
• Flexibility with working hours and location may occasionally be required

Compensation

• $17.16 per hour for Tuesday hours
• $18.16 per hour for Saturday and Sunday hours

Physical Requirements

The Direct Support Professional must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• Lift more than 50 pounds when required
• Stand or work for six to eight hours
• Sit for two to three hours per shift
• Drive a company vehicle for approximately one to four hours per shift
• Bend, reach, stand, stoop, twist, and climb stairs
• Assist individuals with personal care, mobility, and other daily needs
• Safely operate adaptive equipment, wheelchair lifts, telephones, computers, and common household equipment

Apply Today

Some jobs pay the bills. Some jobs build careers. This job changes lives.

If you’re looking for meaningful work where your compassion, dedication, and hard work make a real difference every day, we encourage you to apply today.

Join our team and become the reason someone has a better day.

About Our Organization

Advancing Opportunities is part of the Inperium family of companies.

Employment for this position is administered through Apis Services, Inc.

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, including nondiscrimination in hiring and employment.

All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

This policy of nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity extends to every phase and aspect of hiring and employment. [Job Postin...8.24.docx | Word]

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• Removed page numbers, document-control fields, signature lines, and the DocuSign envelope number.
• Consolidated repeated responsibilities, qualifications, physical requirements, and policy statements.
• Converted the internal position description into candidate-friendly recruiting language.
• Clearly separated the weekday rate from the weekend rate.
• Preserved the attached template’s section order, recruiting tone, organization statement, and equal opportunity language.