LEAD DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

About the Role

The Direct Support Professional Lead (Lead DSP) provides direct care, mentorship, and operational support within residential programs serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to delivering person-centered services, the Lead DSP serves as a role model and resource for Direct Support Professionals by providing on-site training, guidance, coaching, and oversight to ensure quality service delivery and regulatory compliance. The Lead DSP promotes independence, community inclusion, health, safety, and overall quality of life for individuals served while supporting implementation of individualized service plans, behavior support plans, and daily program operations. This position functions with professionalism, autonomy, and leadership while supporting the mission, values, and standards of Advancing Opportunities and the Inperium Family of Services.

Responsibilities

• Assists individuals with activities of daily living including personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, dressing, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, and household maintenance.
• Supports individuals in achieving goals identified in Individual Service Plans (ISP), Behavior Support Plans (BSP), and other individualized service programs.
• Promotes independence, dignity, self-determination, and community integration.
• Models optimism, positive reinforcement, and person-centered support.
• Provides supervision and guidance to help individuals develop life skills and increase independence.
• Creates and maintains a safe, therapeutic, and supportive living environment.
• Monitors and responds appropriately to actual or potential crisis situations.
• Utilizes trauma-informed care principles and behavioral interventions.
• Recognizes and reports suspected abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or exploitation according to agency policy and regulatory requirements.
• Assists with medication administration and medication-related documentation.
• Supports individuals in accessing medical, behavioral health, recreational, educational, vocational, and community resources.
• Provides transportation to appointments, community activities, employment opportunities, recreational activities, and other approved destinations.
• Assists individuals in developing personal care, housekeeping, meal planning, budgeting, and community living skills.
• Documents services, interventions, and individual progress in accordance with agency requirements.
• Maintains communication with Residential Managers regarding individual needs, concerns, and program issues.
• Completes required daily documentation and service records.
• Serves as a positive professional role model for staff and individuals served.
• Documents time worked accurately.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

Leadership & Staff Support Responsibilities

• Provides mentoring, coaching, and on-site training to Direct Support Professionals.
• Assists with onboarding and training of new staff.
• Monitors staff adherence to policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Provides ongoing feedback and guidance regarding service delivery and program expectations.
• Identifies compliance concerns and communicates issues to the Residential Manager.
• Supports implementation and consistency of individualized services and behavioral interventions.
• Assists with staff scheduling needs and operational coverage as requested.
• Promotes teamwork, professionalism, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Serves as a liaison between residential staff and management.
• Encourages a culture of accountability, communication, and service excellence.

Residential Program Responsibilities

• Oversees and supports implementation of individualized treatment, habilitation, and skill development programs.
• Ensures consistency of behavior support interventions and teaching strategies.
• Supports medical appointment coordination and follow-up activities.
• Assists with medication audits and medication administration oversight.
• Reviews documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Prepares monthly reports and communicates service outcomes as required.
• Ensures homes maintain a clean, safe, organized, and home-like environment.
• Assists with inventory management, household supplies, clothing, and personal needs.
• Supports fire drills, safety inspections, vehicle inspections, and risk management activities.
• Ensures compliance with licensing standards and residential regulations.
• Participates in quality assurance reviews and program audits.
• Acts as an advocate for individuals served and their rights.

Additional Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, and person-centered supports.
• Implements structured skill development programs including: self-care skills, independent living skills, social skills, community integration, vocational readiness, and family living skills.
• Supports implementation of motivation systems and positive behavior supports.
• Assists with crisis prevention and intervention activities.
• Communicates effectively with families, guardians, support coordinators, healthcare providers, schools, employers, and community stakeholders.
• Participates in staff meetings, trainings, supervision sessions, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Promotes organizational values and ethical conduct.
• Supports emergency response and on-call activities as required.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by Residential Leadership.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum one (1) year experience supporting individuals with disabilities, developmental disabilities, behavioral health conditions, or mental illness required.
• Supervisory, leadership, or mentoring experience preferred.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Valid non-provisional driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Ability to meet agency and regulatory background screening requirements.

Required Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong documentation and recordkeeping abilities.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office applications, email, electronic documentation systems, and timekeeping software.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and behavioral intervention practices.
• Knowledge of developmental disabilities and community-based support services.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and train staff.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work flexible schedules as required.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & Staff Development: Provides coaching, mentoring, support, and leadership to Direct Support Professionals while promoting accountability and service excellence.
• Person-Centered Support: Promotes dignity, choice, independence, and self-determination for individuals served.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Applies trauma-informed principles to create safe and supportive environments.
• Behavioral Support: Implements and monitors behavior support plans and intervention strategies effectively.
• Community Integration: Supports individuals in developing relationships and participating fully in community life.
• Communication: Communicates effectively with individuals served, families, team members, healthcare providers, and community partners.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintains accurate, timely, and compliant documentation consistent with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Crisis Prevention & Intervention: Recognizes risks, responds appropriately to crisis situations, and supports prevention planning.
• Organization & Time Management: Effectively manages responsibilities, documentation requirements, program tasks, and competing priorities.
• Professionalism & Ethics: Demonstrates integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and respect in all interactions.

Vehicle & Equipment Requirements

• Current driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Current vehicle registration and insurance as required.
• Ability to safely operate agency vehicles.
• Ability to transport individuals served.
• Ability to safely operate wheelchair lifts and adaptive transportation equipment when required.
• Ability to operate: agency vehicles, wheelchair lifts, adaptive equipment, cellular and multi-line telephones, computers, copiers, fax machines, calculators, residential appliances and household equipment.
• Proficiency with: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, electronic documentation systems, HRIS and payroll platforms, and agency-specific software applications.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, kneel, reach, and climb stairs throughout the workday.
• Ability to assist individuals with mobility, personal care, and daily living activities.
• Ability to drive vehicles and transport individuals safely.
• Ability to assist during emergencies and crisis situations.
• Ability to inspect facilities, complete safety reviews, and support household operations.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move more than 50 pounds when necessary to safely support individuals and perform duties.

Working Conditions

• Residential group homes and supervised apartment programs.
• Community-based environments throughout New Jersey.
• Medical appointments, recreational settings, employment sites, educational locations, and community programs.
• Indoor and outdoor environments.
• Flexible schedules that may include evenings, overnights, weekends, holidays, and emergency coverage.