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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Brunswick, ME

Direct Support Professional

Lewiston, ME ยท On-site

$16 - $17/hr

Direct Support Professional Classification: Nonexempt Hourly Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range: $16.00 - $17.00 Reports to: Program Supervisor Summary/Objective The Direct Support Professional is ...

Direct Support Professional Location: Lewiston Auburn and Turner, ME, 04210Skills Required: Direct Support ProfessionalClassification: Nonexempt HourlySalary Grade/Level/Family/Range: $16.00 - $17 ...

Direct Support Professional

Auburn, ME ยท On-site

$17.50 - $20.50/hr

As a Direct Support Professional at Pine Tree Society, you will assist and encourage participants to functional life skills and exercise-related goals while gaining independence in our day center as ...

Direct Support Professional

Auburn, ME ยท On-site

$38K - $44K/yr

As a Direct Support Professional (DSP), you'll make a difference every day by helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full, independent, and meaningful lives. DSPs ...

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Direct Support Professional information

See Brunswick, ME salary details

$10

$16

$21

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Brunswick, ME is $16.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $17.88 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 job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Brunswick, ME look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Brunswick, ME are:
What cities near Brunswick, ME are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities near Brunswick, ME with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Brunswick, ME 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 $34,531 per year, or $16.6 per hour.

Direct Support Professional

Happy Haven

Lewiston, ME โ€ข On-site

$16 - $17/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Direct Support Professional Job Description
Location: Lewiston Auburn and Turner, ME, 04210
Skills Required: Direct Support Professional
Classification: Nonexempt Hourly
Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range: $16.00 - $17.00
Reports to: Program Supervisor
JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary/Objective
The Direct Support Professional is responsible for the safety, care, and support of adults with developmental disabilities ("consumers"). Duties include supporting consumers with goals established in their person-centered plans (PCP), community inclusion for the consumer, documenting events and activities that occur throughout the day with the consumer through the use of several State of Maine and proprietary forms, and in some instances personal care.
Must have COVID 19 Vaccination with copy of card provided at time of interview.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Consumer Care
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) will support consumers at home and in the community with activities of daily living (ADL). DSPs should know each member's PCP goals and work actively to achieve or work towards those goals on a regular basis. DSPs need to communicate with their supervisors if they are going into the community and immediately notify the Program Supervisor or Team Lead if there is a change in plans. Every change of plan should be approved by the Program Supervisor or Team Lead. Assure consumers access the community daily. Provide personal care as needed, including bathing, helping to go to the bathroom, changing adult diapers, etc.
Documentation
Therap documentation done every hour. Behavioral/ Minor incident documentation. All daily logs must be completed fully for the shift the DSP worked. Daily reports on behaviors and minor incidents that occurred must be documented and filed in the electronic records. All Reportable Events should be communicated immediately within the hour of their occurrence to the Program Supervisor or Team Lead.
Medications and Medical
DSPs will ensure consumers are on time for all medical appointments. DSPs will verify with Program Supervisors or Team Leads that all Mainecare funded appointments are entered into Therap beforehand. A Physician order form must be filled out for all appointments and filed appropriately in the medication book. DSPs will follow all treatment plans (Positive support plan, behavioral management plan, etc) while at home and in the community.
Program Administration
Money Management. Activity money should only be spent on activities for the consumer. No activity money should be spent for the benefit of the DSP. Receipts are required for all uses of activity money and should be turned into the Program Supervisor. Cleanliness. The consumers' home (including consumers' rooms) should be cleaned every day, dishes should be washed after every meal, consumers should always have clean, appropriate clothing available. Assure at all times that there is a great environment for your consumer. Report all damages and house maintenance issues immediately to the Program Supervisor or Team Lead. Fire Drills. DSPs will help conduct fire drills with consumers, twice a month. Mileage reimbursement staff paperwork. All mileage reimbursement requests for the month are due no later than the first Monday of the following month. Failure to do so may result in not being reimbursed for mileage.
Communication
Communicate with your consumers and co-workers every day. Open and honest professional communication is the key to building trust and good teamwork.
Timekeeping
It is the DSPs responsibility to accurately keep track of all hours worked in Paycor.
Characteristics of an ideal candidate:
  • Positive attitude; creates a good environment around them
  • Effective communicator; speaks up about needs and clarifies any miscommunication, able and willing to interact with and work to understand individuals with regressive or expressive language challenges
  • Caring and compassionate; can empathize with individuals and ensure all people are cared for the way they would want to be cared for
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibility.
Work Environment
This job typically operates in the shared home of two adults with developmental disabilities, although there may be periods of time where only one adult with developmental disabilities is living in the home. This role routinely involves multiple community settings.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 50 pounds. This position may require lifting or helping with the mobility of adults with developmental disabilities with or without support devices and/or multiple staff.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is an hourly position with various scheduled available.
Travel
Travel is generally not expected for this position due to the hours but may be required and will be reimbursed at $0.42 per mile as long as all travel policies are followed.
Requirements
  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • Driver's License (US or International), Insurance, and Reliable Vehicle
  • Current State of Maine DSP License (or will obtain within 3 months of hire)
  • Current Adult First Aid/CPR Certification (or will obtain before starting work)
  • Current Safety Care v.6 Certification (or will obtain within 60 days of hire)
  • Ability to stay awake the whole shift (no sleeping)
Preferred Education and Experience
  • At least 1 year of experience as a DSP
  • CRMA Certification (or willingness to obtain)
Work Authorization/Security Clearance
Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.