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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

STAND BY ME PROGRAM

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Direct Support Professional or Para Professional

Rohnert Park, CA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Looking for a fun loving, dependable individual to work with Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Stand By Me Program is an adult day program offering individuals a fun creative environment to do ...

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Direct Support Professional information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$10

$17

$22

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Santa Rosa, CA is $17.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.77 and $19.18 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.

How much do DSP workers make?

Direct Support Professionals typically earn between $15 and $20 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and the employer. In some cases, wages may be higher with specialized skills or in certain regions, and many DSPs work part-time or full-time schedules with benefits varying by employer.

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 is the work of a Direct Support Professional?

A Direct Support Professional provides assistance to individuals with disabilities or special needs, helping them with daily activities such as personal care, household tasks, and community integration. They often work in clients' homes or care facilities, requiring good communication skills and sometimes certification in CPR or first aid.

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 job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A Direct Support Professional typically earns less than $10,000 a month; however, high-paying roles in sales, real estate, or entrepreneurship can reach that level without a degree. These jobs often require strong interpersonal skills, self-motivation, and sometimes licensing or certifications, but they do not necessarily require a college degree.

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 is an example of a Direct Support Professional?

A Direct Support Professional is a trained caregiver who provides assistance to individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions, helping them with daily activities such as personal care, medication management, and community integration. They often work in settings like homes, group homes, or community centers and may require certifications like CPR or first aid.
More about Direct Support Professional jobs
What are popular job titles related to Direct Support Professional jobs in Santa Rosa, CA? For Direct Support Professional jobs in Santa Rosa, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Direct Support Professional jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,032 per year, or $17.8 per hour.
Direct Support Professional II

Direct Support Professional II

Becoming Independent

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

$22.25 - $23.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

BECOMING INDEPENDENT JOB DESCRIPTION

 

POSITION: Direct Support Professional II

 

PROGRAM: Education initiatives 

 

POSITION  DESCRIPTION:  A DSP II provides professional support to individuals, assisting them in identifying and achieving personal goals through community engagement, volunteerism, employment, education, and other social or personal interests.

 

SALARY: $22.25-$23.75/hour 

 

STATUS; Non-exempt; no employee supervision 


CRITICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 

Possesses the professional skills and abilities specific to the technical aspects of the position

 

PROVIDE SUPPORTS & TRAINING

  • Participates w/individuals in various ratios in vocational/volunteer/community activities.
  • Assist in establishing and maintaining social connections with others in the community.
  • Coordinates and provides instruction to promote skill development and independence (in some situations with providing personal care), and other educational topics to individuals served (both individually and in groups).
  • Completes monthly trainings within the provided timeframe. 
  • Provides shadowing opportunities for new staff (on the job training).
  • Assists with curriculum development, transportation optimization and new hire mentorship
 

DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SERVICE PLANS

  • Ensure individual's personal choice is at the forefront of service plan delivery.
  • Participate in developing and implementing instructional and behavioral plans.
  • Conduct interviews and assessments in preparation for service plan development.
  • Schedule, coordinate, and participate in team planning meetings as requested.
  • Plan meaningful and engaging community access schedule on a weekly basis with person-served input. Enters community access information per department requirements. 
  • Suggests/provides additions and updates to the Community Resource App.
 

KEEP RECORDS AND WRITE REPORTS

  • Records data relative to tasks (BI information platforms; Therap/ISP data, ADP, TripLog, etc).
  • Time and Attendance records (ADP) - Responsible for daily punches for all shifts/applicable breaks and daily review of timecards/corrections/edits (notes).
  • ADP for Persons Served - Responsible for all data entered daily (volunteer/paid work/community access) - If unable to complete same day will enter first thing next shift. 
  • Maintain individual progress records; write and submit accurate reports as per procedures.
  • Writes General Event Reports (GER).
  • Company email must be checked during each shift. Email responses are expected within 24 hours or at your next scheduled shift (for emails where you are the only recipient). Text message correspondence must be replied to during your shift.
  • Google Calendars/Daily Schedule - All staff must ensure either their Google Calendar or their daily schedule is reflective of all activities during working hours.
 

DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS

  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with persons served, peers, supervisors, and other staff, affiliated agency staff, and members of the community.
  • Assist individuals in establishing and maintaining social connections with persons of their choosing, with a focus on reducing relationships with paid supports.
  • Attend, actively engage, and participate in weekly staff meetings, training sessions, and other relevant meetings.
  • Mentors new hires for the first 60 days.
  • Leads large class/community group facilitation.
 

TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONS SERVED

  • Transport persons served as needed to and from community activities/appointments/errands, etc. This may be in a personal vehicle, BI vehicle, or riding public transportation. 
  • Follow all inspection/cleanliness of vehicle requirements before/after each use.
  • Ensure safe entry and exit protocols, as well as ensure the safety of individuals while in a moving vehicle (i.e., tie-downs and seatbelts).
  • Triplog application (with Magic Trip enabled) must be used for all personal vehicle and fleet mileage driven during your scheduled work day. Trips must be reviewed, corrected, and submitted daily or at the start of the next shift.
  • Applicable inspections performed via Fleetio application prior to usage of any BI vehicle at any time.
 

OTHER

  • Assist with the setup of various program spaces for activities (chairs, tables, etc.).
  • All BI working hours should be performed at a BI location, in the individual's home, or at a community site with the individual. Exceptions need to be pre-approved by your supervisor.
  • Provide support as a Direct Support Professional working in any BI program, including but not limited to providing in-home care, transportation, and in-community services for persons served.
  • Executes position-specific job duties and other duties as assigned at the discretion of BI.

CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING SKILLS

ORGANIZED:  Ability to set priorities, perform job duties in an orderly fashion, and complete job duties with efficiency and accuracy. Detail-oriented.

DEPENDABLE:  Capable of being relied upon, responsible, trustworthy, and punctual.

GOOD JUDGEMENT:  Consistently evaluates information and circumstances to make informed decisions that lead to positive outcomes for both the program and its participants.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE:  Ability to demonstrate a mental disposition and overall outlook that is positive, open, and supportive of others.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS:  Ability to relate well with others and establish positive working relations; cooperative; "team player."

COMMUNICATION:  Excellent verbal/written communication skills in English, is able to comprehend and follow directions, as well as be an effective listener.

INITIATIVE:  Ability to "self-start" without close supervision; self-reliance, energy, and resourcefulness.

PHILOSOPHICAL COMMITMENT:  Demonstrates through words and actions an understanding of, and commitment to, the organization's beliefs and goals; advocates on behalf of persons served.

 

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:  

High school diploma or equivalent is required; College coursework or related professional experience in Special Education, Rehabilitation, Psychology, or a closely related field is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:  Previous experience working with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities is desirable. Good customer service skills and an interest in helping others pursue and achieve their goals is required. Must be able to speak, read, write, and understand the primary language used in the workplace (English).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • A physical condition that will permit frequent bending, squatting, turning, and lifting without injury.
  • Ability to operate a vehicle for a portion of your shift.
  • Ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods of time.
  • Ability to assist individuals in wheelchairs.
  • Provide personal care to individuals, including assistance in the restroom and feeding.
  • Lift at least 40 pounds.
  • Clearance of pre-employment Functional Capacity Evaluation with no restrictions that cannot be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

  • Valid California driver’s license
  • Insured, dependable vehicle that can successfully pass BI’s vehicle inspection
  • Proof of current auto insurance
  • On-Duty Meal Period Waiver
  • First Aid and CPR certification (training will be provided) 
  • Criminal Record Clearance
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