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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

As a Direct Support Professional at Devereux, you will learn more than you ever thought possible while you work with other dedicated professionals who share your passion for helping kids in a Mental ...

As a Direct Support Professional at Devereux, you will learn more than you ever thought possible while you work with other dedicated professionals who share your passion for helping kids in a Mental ...

Being a Direct Support Professional DSP has its advantages! As a DSP at Devereux, you will learn more than you ever thought possible while you work with other dedicated professionals who share your ...

We are currently looking for Direct Support Professionals who are reliable, fun and willing to try new things! ABOUT THE JOB - You will provide support, guidance and coaching to assist the person to ...

We are currently looking for Direct Support Professionals who are reliable, fun and willing to try new things! ABOUT THE JOB - You will provide support, guidance and coaching to assist the person to ...

Direct Support Professional Tifton, GA | $13.50 / Hour A facility that provides services for those with disabilities is looking for a direct support professional to help ensure the implementation of ...

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Direct Support Professional information

See Georgia salary details

$8

$13

$17

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Georgia is $13.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.16 and $14.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a direct support professional?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are caregivers who assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their daily lives. They help with personal care, medication management, meal preparation, and transportation, while also supporting clients in achieving personal goals and participating in community activities. DSPs play a vital role in promoting independence, dignity, and quality of life for those they support.

What are some common challenges direct support professionals face when supporting individuals with disabilities, and how can they effectively handle them?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) often encounter challenges such as managing behavioral outbursts, ensuring effective communication with nonverbal individuals, and balancing the need for independence with safety. Handling these situations requires patience, empathy, and strong problem-solving skills. Many DSPs find it helpful to use individualized behavior support plans, maintain clear communication with team members, and participate in ongoing training. Building trust and understanding the unique needs of each individual also play a key role in overcoming daily challenges.

What is the difference between Direct Support Professional vs Personal Care Assistant?

AspectDirect Support ProfessionalPersonal Care Assistant
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, sometimes specialized trainingCPR, First Aid often required
Work EnvironmentAssisting individuals with disabilities in community or residential settingsProviding personal care in private homes or facilities
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, government agencies, healthcare providersHome care agencies, private clients

Both roles involve assisting individuals with daily activities, often requiring similar certifications like CPR and First Aid. However, Direct Support Professionals typically work in community or residential settings supporting people with disabilities, while Personal Care Assistants mainly provide personal care services in private homes. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the role that best matches their skills and career goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a direct support professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Direct Support Professional, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic caregiving knowledge, and an understanding of developmental disabilities. Familiarity with documentation systems, incident reporting tools, and sometimes CPR/First Aid certification is typically required. Patience, strong interpersonal skills, and empathy are crucial soft skills for effectively supporting individuals and building trust. These skills are vital for ensuring client safety, promoting independence, and delivering compassionate care tailored to each individual's needs.

Where do direct support professionals get paid the most?

Direct Support Professionals tend to earn higher wages in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for healthcare and social services, such as certain metropolitan areas. States or cities with a strong focus on healthcare, social services, or specialized care often offer higher pay rates for this role. Factors like experience, certifications, and the specific employer also influence salary levels.
What are popular job titles related to Direct Support Professional jobs in Georgia? For Direct Support Professional jobs in Georgia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Georgia look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Georgia are:
What cities in Georgia are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities in Georgia with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Georgia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $28,600 per year, or $13.8 per hour.

Direct Support Professional

Devereux

Kennesaw, GA • On-site

$20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago


Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 239 rated social care providers


Job description

Description
Are you looking for an entry-level employment opportunity as a segue to further your career in social work, psychology, behavioral and mental health? Do you want to make a positive impact on the lives of children and adolescents in a fun, active environment? If so, you could become a part of a team creating meaningful, independent and productive lives for those individuals that we serve!
Starting pay: $20.00 /hr (Additional $$$ for Experience)
Being a Direct Support Professional has its advantages.
As a Direct Support Professional at Devereux, you will learn more than you ever thought possible while you work with other dedicated professionals who share your passion for helping kids in a Mental Health setting. We offer:
  • Opportunities to learn and grow in Behavioral & Mental Health.
  • Growth opportunities that allow you to expand your career and your skills.
  • Being part of an interactive and supportive team that includes; nursing, education, therapists, psychiatrists and you!
  • The ability to have influence in our clients' treatment plans
  • Evidence based and trauma informed practices
  • We offer Payactive - access up to 50% of your earned wages between pay periods

As a Direct Support Professional, you will assist in daily living activities, including emotional and behavior support & management, health and hygiene management, cleaning, and recreational activities for the individuals we serve. You will actively mentor, coach, monitor, re-direct and support our individuals and maintain a safe and therapeutic treatment environment that meets the physical, emotional and personal needs of the population we serve. You will also be responsible for accurate documentation, including, but not limited to, shift reports, incident reports and individual progress reports.
Interested in advancing your career? Devereux is proud to offer ASCEND - the first career accelerator program exclusively designed to give behavioral healthcare workers - the career guidance, one-on-one coaching, skills and financial assistance you need to reach your full potential. Learn more here.
Learn about what our DSPs are saying about working with our population:
Learn More about Devereux Georgia - A Place of Hope:
#sponsored
Qualifications
The IDEAL candidate will... Be empathetic, a team player, energetic, creative, understand the theories of behavior management and positive reinforcement, and represent yourself as a positive role model; have a strong passion for working with and helping children and adolescents with behavioral differences.
Requirements:
  • HS diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree preferred in psychology, human services, sociology, social work, criminal justice, and/or education.
  • Previous experience working with individuals under the age of 21 with psychological, emotional and behavioral disorders, co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, and/or conduct disorders preferred.
  • Valid Driver's License and Satisfactory Drug Screen and Background Check results.
  • Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Strong technical skills and comfortable utilizing in-house computer applications for documenting and reporting purposes.
  • Must be able to complete a two-week, paid new hire orientation class; hours are approximately 8:30am to 5:30pm daily (lunch is included).

Devereux has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and maintains policies and procedures to systematically reduce the risk of abuse to occur in our organization. Devereux fosters a culture of reporting abuse, and will cooperate with the authorities to the fullest extent possible.
* For your protection, all DSPs will be fit-tested for the N95 mask. An N95 mask will be worn when working with children with infections. A medical evaluation will be completed, unless exempt under the standards.
Company Overview
Company Overview
Devereux is one of the nation's largest nonprofit organizations, providing services, insight and leadership in the evolving field of behavioral healthcare. Founded in 1912, Devereux operates a comprehensive national network of clinical, therapeutic, educational and employment programs that positively impact the lives of 10,000+ children, adults - and their families - every year.
Our Mission: Devereux changes lives - by unlocking and nurturing human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral or cognitive differences.
With nearly 6,500 employees working in programs across the country, Devereux is a trusted partner for families, schools and communities, serving individuals in the areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, education and foster care.
Our Culture, Our Expectations
At Devereux, Servant Leadership is embedded throughout our culture and every aspect of our organizational framework. Our mission-driven, people-first mindset is at the heart of the compassionate and high-quality programming we provide - every day - for the individuals and families we serve, and other key stakeholders. Devereux offers challenging and exciting work, and our team environment creates an empowering, positive and rewarding atmosphere. To be successful at Devereux, you will: put the needs of others first, feel called to serve and called to lead. As a member of our team, you will be a significant part of our commitment to providing a welcoming and supportive work environment across all programs and services, and within all policies and employee practices.
We believe a workplace rooted in inclusivity - offering a sense of belonging to all those who walk through our doors - is fundamental to delivering the highest quality healthcare services. Through open dialogue and the creation of brave spaces, we will engage in work that gives each of us a chance to change the world - one person, one family, one community at a time.
What Devereux Offers You
In addition to a competitive salary, Devereux provides a comprehensive health and welfare program to eligible full-time employees, family members and domestic partners. Eligible employees are eligible to start benefits after 30 days of employment. In addition, we offer;
  • Medical (including telemedicine via phone, web, app), dental, prescription drug, preventative care, and mental health services.
  • Student loan debt assistance, tuition reimbursement and continuing education assistance.
  • Generous time-off (start accruing 1st day), 403(b) retirement plan with matching benefit, and voluntary/employee paid supplemental life and accident coverage.
  • Employee assistance / work-life balance program.

Visit www.mydevereuxbenefits.org to see why Devereux is a great place to work!
Devereux is a drug-free workplace, drug screening required. EOE

What Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health employees say

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