SAAGE - Direct Support Professional

Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: SAAGE

• Sacramento, CA, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Not Specified, Salary Range: $20.00 - $24.00Hourly, 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.

Essential Functions

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 in accordance with established policy. 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

Required Education and Experience 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. Working Conditions and Physical Demands The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. This position operates in program facilities, community settings, and other locations where participant services are provided. The environment and noise level may vary based on participant needs, activities, and location.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, communicate, hear, and use hands and fingers. Hand use may include providing personal care, assisting with mobility and positioning, operating adaptive or assistive equipment, writing, computer use, and completing documentation.

The position requires the ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds and to assist with participant mobility, transfers, and positioning, with or without assistive equipment, as appropriate. Sufficient visual and auditory ability is required to observe participants, identify safety concerns, and perform required duties.

These statements describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or working conditions.

Duties and responsibilities

may change based on operational needs.