Direct Support Staff - Developmental Services

Overview

Starting Rate: $19.00/hour

Schedule: Monday 3pm-11pm, Tuesday 3pm-11pm, Friday 9am-3pm, Saturday 9am-11pm

We’re looking for enthusiastic, compassionate, and motivated team players to provide meaningful support to individuals in a residential setting. If you’re ready to start—or grow! — your career in human services, this is a great opportunity to make a real impact every day. 

As a Direct Support Staff, you’ll provide hands-on support, guidance, and encouragement to adults with developmental disabilities. This is an entry-level role with meaningful responsibilities and the chance to build lasting relationships. In this role, you’ll assist individuals with daily living activities, such as personal care, meals, routines and community outings – while helping them build skills and independence. 

Direct support professionals at Advocates enjoy a supportive environment, opportunities for advancement, and a strong commitment to work-life balance. 

Who We Are 

At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges. 

We’re a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated. 

At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where everyone can grow and thrive.

Minimum Education Required

Shift

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in daily activities inside their home and in the community by promoting self-advocacy, decision-making and empowerment.  Provide guidance and role modeling as appropriate.
• Assist individuals with planning and implementation of daily activity schedules and routines.
• Assist individuals to identify and develop person-centered goals and plans to address any concerns, wants or needs.
• Encourage active participation in community events and other integrated activities.
• Assist individuals with home maintenance and perform cleaning responsibilities.
• Document shift notes summarizing any applicable occurrences, observations, concerns or progress.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent degree.  Experience working with the population preferred!
• Excellent interpersonal, judgement and coaching skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to utilize basic computer applications.
• Desire to thrive in a fast-paced, client-centered, team-oriented environment.
• Must hold a valid driver's license, have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport clients.
• Strongly prefer a candidate that will have a demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally diverse populations.

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.