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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Rochester, NY

Direct Support Professional

Webster, NY · On-site

$18.50 - $20.50/hr

Full AND Part Time Direct Support Professionals starting at $18.50/ hour up to $20.50/ hour for evening, overnight and weekends in complex homes. At CDS Monarch we value our Employees by offering:

What You'll Do As a Direct Support Professional, you will assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their community residential home with everyday tasks such as ...

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Direct Support Professional information

See Rochester, NY salary details

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How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Rochester, NY is $16.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $17.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)?

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.

What Is a Direct Support Professional?

Direct support professionals (DSPs) provide non-medical care and services to intellectually or physically disabled persons. These services may be in the patient's home, at assisted living facilities, or in government institutions. The primary duties of DSPs are to help the patient with everyday tasks, such as taking medication, providing transportation to doctor's appointments, and running errands. DSPs also aim to teach patients life skills, including light housework and meal preparation, to enable them to be a little more independent.

What are popular job titles related to Direct Support Professional jobs in Rochester, NY? For Direct Support Professional jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Rochester, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Rochester, NY as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 35% Part Time, and 6% Summer. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,435 per year, or $16.1 per hour.
Direct Support Professional

Direct Support Professional

Easterseals

Rochester, NY

$18.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

What You'll Do

As a Direct Support Professional, you will assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their community residential home with everyday tasks such as housekeeping, meal preparation, attending appointments and taking them to recreational/social activities and ensure proper supervision levels are maintained. 

Your Responsibilities Will Include: 

  • Providing ongoing daily supervision, attention, care, and support for residents in OPWDD certified homes. 
  • Maintaining a safe, comfortable environment that provides options for expanding interests and improving opportunities for skill acquisition and community inclusion.
  • Performing and/or assisting with routine household and property tasks including meal preparation, housekeeping, outdoor maintenance, and vehicle safety.
  • Ensuring that all individuals have ready access to clean clothing, hygiene supplies, food, activities, bedding, furniture, and personal property. Assist individuals with ensuring the above when individuals are unable or unwilling to assist with or protect those rights themselves.
  • Providing direct supervision and support to individuals in alignment with their treatment plans.
  • Supporting individuals in developing independence through community-based, center-based, job-related and residential activities.
  • Ensuring quality control standards are met in accordance with expectations.
  • Providing transportation for individuals to program activities and appointments using a personal vehicle or organization van.
  • Training individuals in daily living and independentliving skills such as selfcare, money management, cooking, social interaction and navigating transportation systems, as directed by the treatment team.
  • Assisting with personal care needs when necessary.
  • Adhering to all departmental and organizational policies and procedures.
  • Carrying out additional duties as assigned to support the organization's mission.

You're a great fit for this role if you have: 

  • High school diploma or GED (required)
  • Valid US driver's license for routine transportation of program participants (required)
  • At least two years of work experience (preferred)
  • Demonstrated commitment to delivering highquality support to individuals with disabilities in both community and residential environments
  • Successfully complete all Easterseals NY training requirements, including earning the necessary certifications
  • Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays

Compensation & Benefits

  • Compensation
    • $18.25 Per Hour
    • $500 bonus (for successful candidates and paid out at 3 months and at 6 months)
  • Benefits
    • Health insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
    • Paid time off (Vacation, Sick, Floating)
    • Retirement plan 403(b)
    • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
    • Commuter Benefits
    • Life/Accident insurance
    • Short-term Disability Insurance
    • Long-term Disability Insurance
    • Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

Shifts Available

  • 7AM - 3PM
  • 2PM - 10PM
  • 9:30PM - 7:30AM

Who We Are

The mission of Easterseals New York is to spread help, hope and answers.

We operate programs that enable people with special needs to achieve equality, dignity and independence in their own communities. We provide exceptional services to ensure that people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. We change the way the world defines and views disabilities by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day.

Easterseals New York joined The Fedcap Group in 2015.

Website: www.easterseals.com/newyork

The Fedcap Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are an EOE employer committed to diversity.

Mission: Easterseals New York's mission is to spread help, hope and answers.
Easterseals New York operates programs that enable those with special needs to achieve equality, dignity, and independence in their own communities. It provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. We change the way the world defines and views disability by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day. Easterseals has been an American Institution since 1919.   
Easterseals New York joined The Fedcap Group in 2015.    
Website: www.Easterseals.com/newyork