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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Ruston, LA (NOW HIRING)

HGA

Director - Family Office & Corporate Tax

Ruston, LA · On-site

... professional polish required to serve as a trusted advisor to principals, their families, and ... Family Office & Closely Held Business Support * Serve as the primary owner of the quarterly and ...

Origin Bank

Director of Technology Governance

Ruston, LA · On-site +1

We're committed to helping you grow both professionally and personally in an environment where ... Here, you'll be supported by unique initiatives like our Dream Manager program, one-on-one guidance ...

Origin Bank

Financial Crimes Risk Manager

Ruston, LA · On-site

Here, you'll be supported by unique initiatives like our Dream Manager program, one-on-one guidance ... Instructs direct reports on searches utilizing Internet sources and/or third-party vendors to ...

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All JobsDirect Support Professional JobsDirect Support Professional Jobs in Ruston, LA

Direct Support Professional information

See Ruston, LA salary details

$7

$13

$16

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Ruston, LA is $13.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.63 and $14.18 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.

More about Direct Support Professional jobs
What cities near Ruston, LA are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities near Ruston, LA with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Direct Support Professional jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Ruston, LA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 51% Full Time, 39% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $27,342 per year, or $13.1 per hour.
Director Of Student Success, College of Business

Director Of Student Success, College of Business

Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, LA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Louisiana Tech University rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

434th of 544 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Thank you for your interest in employment with Louisiana Tech University.
The College of Business at Louisiana Tech University is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as Director of Student Success. The College of Business offers eight undergraduate majors and three graduate degree programs serving approximately 1,700 students.
The Director of Student Success provides leadership and direction in the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of student success, retention, and graduation initiatives within the College of Business. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and campus partners, the Director develops and implements strategies that support student achievement, persistence, engagement, and degree completion. Through data-informed decision making and individualized student support, the Director plays a critical role in advancing the College's student success goals and enhancing the overall student experience.
Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities
  • Develop, implement, assess, and continuously improve student success and retention strategies aligned with College and University goals.
  • Collect, analyze, maintain, and report longitudinal data related to student retention, persistence, progression, and graduation rates; utilize data to identify trends, recommend interventions, and support evidence-based decision making.
  • Collaborate with University Admissions, Institutional Research, Financial Aid, Student Affairs, faculty, department chairs, program directors, and other campus partners to support student success initiatives and improve student outcomes.
  • Prepare reports and analyses for College leadership, University administration, accreditation activities, and strategic planning purposes.
  • Develop and maintain student success reports including, but not limited to, probation reports, non-enrolled student reports, major change reports, cohort tracking reports, and other student success metrics.
  • Support and advise students through individualized success plans, regular follow-up, academic coaching, and referrals to appropriate University resources and services.
  • Serve as the primary advisor for at-risk students and students placed on academic probation to improve retention, academic performance, and graduation outcomes while upholding University and College policies.
  • Collaborate with faculty, department chairs, and academic program directors to identify student success challenges and implement interventions that improve retention, progression, and graduation outcomes.
  • Assess the effectiveness of student success initiatives and recommend improvements based on outcomes and data analysis.
  • Assist students in developing academic skills through tutoring programs, group study initiatives, academic support services, and other student success programs.
  • Develop effective programming and coordinate events and services that support student development, professional growth, engagement, out-of-classroom learning, and academic progress, including orientations and student engagement activities.
  • Plan and execute student engagement and enrichment activities that foster student connection, belonging, professional development, and academic success, including programs such as Dogs with the Dean, Cobtoberfest, Holiday Happenings, the College of Business Crawfish Boil, and fall tailgates.
  • Assist in updating, maintaining, and implementing College of Business retention policies and procedures for undergraduate and graduate students and promote the importance of retention and graduation among students, faculty, and staff.
  • Administer, award, and maintain records for College of Business scholarships.
  • Collaborate with University Admissions and Financial Aid to promote scholarship opportunities and support enrollment and retention efforts.
  • Facilitate the scholarship review and selection process by coordinating and supporting the College of Business Scholarship Committee.
  • Review scholarship policies and procedures and recommend improvements that enhance consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness across the College scholarship program.
  • Plan and execute scholarship recognition and donor appreciation activities and coordinate scholarship stewardship efforts, including donor correspondence and student thank-you initiatives.
  • Support undergraduate and graduate recruitment initiatives through participation in campus visit programs, outreach activities, prospective student events, and communications with students and families.
  • Represent the College of Business to prospective students, parents, counselors, community organizations, and other stakeholders involved in the college selection process.
  • Oversee the College of Business Student Ambassador Program, including recruitment, training, supervision, and development of ambassadors.
  • Serve on College and University committees and participate in activities that support the mission and goals of the College and University.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, advising, enrollment management, student success, retention, academic support services, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret student data and prepare reports that support strategic decision making.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and support students from diverse backgrounds and academic experiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness and ability to lead and manage change and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in higher education administration, counseling, psychology, business administration, student affairs, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in student success, retention, advising, enrollment management, or related areas.
• Experience working with student information systems, CRM platforms, retention software, or other higher education technologies.
• Experience designing, implementing, and assessing student success programs and initiatives.
The Director of Student Success is a full-time, 12-month appointment. This position reports directly to the Executive Director of the Humana Student Services Office and works closely with the Dean, department chairs, program directors, faculty, and University partners to advance student success, retention, and graduation goals within the College of Business.
Louisiana Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ADA Employer and places a high priority on the creation of an environment supportive of ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
Posting Close Date: This position will remain open until filled.
Please Note: Applications must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the Job Closing Date to ensure consideration.
Note to Applicant:
Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.
References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.
This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.
As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions at the Louisiana Tech University may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

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