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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Jackson, MS (NOW HIRING)

Admin Support Specialist

Jackson, MS · On-site

$39K - $50K/yr

The Administrative Support Specialist works in conjunction with the Director of AbilityWorks to ... High level of professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information.

Community Director

Jackson, MS · On-site

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

... conduct support, professional collaboration with campus partners and overseeing residential ... The Community Director will be expected to fulfill the duties listed below in addi ion to other ...

CS NJ Addendum - Direct Support Professional _1001 _ MPA 3429 * * Employees must cooperate with the licensee and Department of Human Services staff in any inspection, inquiry, or investigation.

CS NJ Addendum - Direct Support Professional _1001 _ MPA 3429 * * Employees must cooperate with the licensee and Department of Human Services staff in any inspection, inquiry, or investigation.

Showing results 21-40

Direct Support Professional information

See Jackson, MS salary details

$8

$14

$18

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Jackson, MS is $14.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.55 and $15.29 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 Jackson, MS look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Jackson, MS are:
What cities near Jackson, MS are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities near Jackson, MS with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Jackson, MS 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 $29,495 per year, or $14.2 per hour.

Support Care Professional III

State of Mississippi

Jackson, MS • On-site

$24K - $37K/yr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


State Of Mississippi rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 50 rated states


Job description

Salary: $24,023.49 - $37,153.40 Annually
Location : 25 - HINDS COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9196-0301-20260731Hs
Department: 0301 - HEALTH BOARD
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $24,023.49
Agency Maximum Salary: $37,153.40
About the Agency: The Mississippi State Department of Health's mission is to protect and advance the health, well-being, and safety of everyone in Mississippi. Questions about this position can be directed to recruitment@msdh.ms.gov.
About the Position: Under the supervision of the County Coordinating Nurse, this position will serve mainly within the Crossroads Aids/HIV clinic by performing duties approved for CNA, including blood draws, stocking supplies, assisting with medical procedures, cleaning exam rooms and other duties as assigned. Communicates with doctors, patients, and families, and educates patients on care.
What you'll need to be Successful: Candidate should demonstrate good communication skills, leadership skills, customer service, good rapport with patients and the public.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires High School Diploma or high school equivalency, and 2-3 years of experience. May require a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) designation.
No available description
Health/Prescription InsuranceEligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state's health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick LeaveFull-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation's celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State's retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State's retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees' Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual's salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01
How many years of experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of related experience.)
  • No experience
  • 1 year of experience
  • 2 years of experience
  • 3 years of experience
  • 4 years of experience
  • 5 years of experience
  • 6 years of experience
  • 7 years of experience
  • 8 years of experience
  • 9 years of experience
  • 10 years of experience
  • More than 10 years

02
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?
  • None of the above
  • GED / High School
  • 1 year / 30 semester hours
  • Associate's Degree / 2 yrs / 60 semester hours
  • 3 years / 90 semester hours
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • Specialist Degree
  • Doctorate Degree

03
Do you possess a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) designation?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

What State Of Mississippi employees say

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About State of Mississippi

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Transparency in Mississippi Government is a concerted effort to provide visibility, openness, and accessibility to state government financial activity for Mississippi taxpayers as mandated by the State Legislature. As part of our continuing effort to set new standards for transparency and accountability in state government, the Department of Finance and Administration now provides access to a variety of financial data that is updated regularly. Revenue, expenditures, payments to city and county governments, contracts, and travel expenses are updated daily. Workforce information is updated monthly. Some of the expenditure data is considered private or protected under state and federal laws. If a payee/vendor/customer name is protected by law, the vendor name will be displayed as 'Confidential' throughout the queries.

Industry

Executive offices and legislative bodies

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Jackson, MS, US