Entry Level Dsp Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

$20.00/Hour | Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Full-Time | Paid Training | IDD Day Services

Full-Time: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

At Our House, Inc., our mission is to provide healthy, stimulating, and inclusive environments for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through innovative day programs, employment services, and community-based opportunities, we support individuals in building skills, independence, and meaningful connections.

This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy active, hands-on work, community engagement, and supporting adults in a structured daytime program setting.

We believe in transparency and respect for your time.

Once an application is fully completed and meets the minimum requirements, our recruitment team will respond within 48 business hours via email with an invitation to attend a group interview.

While conducted in a group format, the interview is still an individual evaluation. During the session, we review:

• Program expectations and daily responsibilities
• Available program sites and participant needs
• Pre-employment requirements and training schedule
• Background check process
• Benefits, compensation, and next steps

Our goal is to ensure you understand the role clearly—while also giving us the opportunity to determine if the program and position are a good mutual fit.

The Day Program Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides supervision, instruction, and support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a structured day program and community-based settings. DSPs engage participants in meaningful activities while ensuring safety, dignity, and compliance with individual service plans.

This role is a strong match for candidates with experience in:

• Schools or Special Education settings (paraprofessionals, classroom aides, school support staff)
  
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) roles, including behavior technicians or assistants
  
• Childcare, daycare, or early childhood education
  
• Recreation or camp programs, including fitness, aquatics, outdoor, or adaptive recreation
  
• Youth programs, after-school programs, or community-based programs
  
• Human services or social services supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD)
  

• Customer service, retail, or hospitality roles where you supported diverse individuals, managed challenging situations, and provided hands-on assistance
  
• Healthcare support or entry-level medical roles
  
• Behavioral health, mental health support, or peer support roles
  
• Security, transportation, or logistics roles requiring awareness, safety, and accountability
  

If you’ve built strong communication skills, patience, problem-solving ability, and the confidence to work directly with people, this role offers a meaningful transition into human services and residential/day program support—no prior IDD experience required, just the right mindset and willingness to learn.

Essential Skills & Responsibilities

• Supervise program participants in accordance with individual service plan supervision guidelines, including line-of-sight supervision when required
• Actively engage in all scheduled activities with participants, including but not limited to:
  
  • Swimming and fitness activities
  • Exercise and skill-building programs
  • Gardening, farming, and outdoor activities
  • Fishing and community-based recreation
  • Domestic skill development (laundry, dishwashing, cleaning tasks)
• Maintain required staff-to-participant ratios at all times in facility-based and community settings
• Safely transport individuals to volunteer sites, activities, and appointments using agency vehicles, including highway and long-distance driving, in compliance with the Our House, Inc. Safe Driving Policy
• Ensure cleanliness, safety, and security of the program site, including performing general cleaning duties as needed
• Assist participants with toileting and hygiene needs, including use of adult incontinence products and post-accident clean-up when necessary
• Demonstrate flexibility by supporting various participants and working across different program sites as assigned
• Attend and actively participate in monthly staff meetings and quarterly all-agency meetings

• Ability to write and type legibly using a computer, laptop, or other company-provided device
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply charts, diagrams, and written instructions
• Ability to enter and navigate program sites and community locations safely
• Ability to observe, hear, and respond promptly if a participant requires assistance or is in danger
• Ability to physically demonstrate tasks and activities to participants
• Adequate motor skills to assist participants with physical disabilities and to respond quickly to prevent injury or unsafe situations
• Ability to redirect participants exhibiting behavioral challenges (e.g., self-injury, elopement, aggression)
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills to manage daily situations independently
• Ability to work independently while maintaining required staffing ratios
• Ability to accompany and supervise participants during appointments, community activities, and recreational events
• Strong verbal communication and comprehension skills for interaction with participants, staff, and community members
• Ability to attend off-site trainings as required
• Ability to assist participants with hygiene needs, including bathing, showering, and toileting
• Ability to assist individuals using wheelchairs in program and community settings
• Ability to safely transfer participants in and out of bathrooms, vehicles, beds, or other equipment as needed
• Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks when required
• Ability to drive agency vehicles regularly to transport participants and complete business errands

• Constant: 10 lbs
• Frequent: 25 lbs
• Occasional: 50 lbs

• Valid driver’s license with an insurable driving record and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check
• Must be comfortable driving agency vehicles on a regular basis, including highway driving
• Must have reliable transportation to and from work
• At minimum, a high school diploma, GED, or foreign equivalent
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Ability to attend and successfully complete required paid training and maintain annual recertifications
• Comfortable using computers and electronic systems for documentation, email communication, and data entry
• Ability to provide professional references during the application process

Competitive full-time pay and benefits, including:

• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Tuition assistance
• Matching 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time)

Our House, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact HRdepartment@ourhousenj.org.

This job description does not constitute a contract. Duties and requirements may change at the discretion of Our House, Inc. Employment is at-will.