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Residential Direct Support Professional Jobs in Ridgefield, CT

Devereux

Direct Support Professional

CT · On-site

$21.50 - $23/hr

As a Direct Support Professional at Devereux, you will work with other dedicated professionals who share your passion for helping individuals in need. What Devereux offers YOU: * A culture that ...

Devereux

Direct Support Professional

CT · On-site

$21.50 - $23/hr

As a Direct Support Professional at Devereux, you will work with other dedicated professionals who share your passion for helping individuals in need. What Devereux offers YOU: * A culture that ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Bethel, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

As a Direct Care Professional, you will support adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and behavioral health needs in both residential and community settings. You will playan important ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Newtown, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

As a Direct Care Professional, you will support adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and behavioral health needs in both residential and community settings. You will playan important ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Newtown, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

As a Direct Care Professional, you will support adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and behavioral health needs in both residential and community settings. You will playan important ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Brookfield, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

As a Direct Care Professional, you will support adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and behavioral health needs in both residential and community settings. You will playan important ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Bethel, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

As a Direct Care Professional, you will support adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and behavioral health needs in both residential and community settings. You will play an important ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Ridgefield, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

As a Direct Care Professional, you will support adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and behavioral health needs in both residential and community settings. You will play an important ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Ridgefield, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

As a Direct Care Professional, you will support adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and behavioral health needs in both residential and community settings. You will playan important ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Newtown, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

As a Direct Care Professional, you will support adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and behavioral health needs in both residential and community settings. You will play an important ...

Ability Beyond

Direct Support Professional

Bethel, CT · On-site

$19 - $19.50/hr

As a Direct Care Professional, you will support adults with intellectual, developmental, physical, and behavioral health needs in both residential and community settings. You will playan important ...

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All JobsResidential Direct Support Professional JobsResidential Direct Support Professional Jobs in Ridgefield, CT

Residential Direct Support Professional information

See Ridgefield, CT salary details

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How much do residential direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for residential direct support professional in Ridgefield, CT is $16.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.30 and $18.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a residential direct support professional?

Residential Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are individuals who provide care, support, and supervision to people with disabilities in residential settings. They assist clients with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication management. DSPs also help foster independence, encourage social participation, and ensure the safety and well-being of those they support. Their role is crucial in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a residential direct support professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Residential Direct Support Professional, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic caregiving knowledge, and a genuine commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities. Familiarity with documentation systems, medication administration, and CPR/First Aid certification are commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and reliability help build trusting relationships and respond effectively to clients' needs. These skills ensure safety, promote independence, and enhance the quality of life for the individuals being supported.

What are some common challenges faced by residential direct support professionals, and how can they be managed?

Residential Direct Support Professionals often encounter challenges such as managing behavioral issues, balancing the needs of multiple clients, and maintaining clear communication with team members and families. To effectively manage these challenges, it's important to utilize de-escalation techniques, stay organized with thorough documentation, and participate in regular team meetings to ensure everyone is aligned on care plans. Continuous training and support from supervisors also play a key role in helping staff feel confident and prepared in their responsibilities.

What is the difference between Residential Direct Support Professional vs Personal Care Assistant?

AspectResidential Direct Support ProfessionalPersonal Care Assistant
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, sometimes specialized certificationsCPR, First Aid often required
Work EnvironmentResidential facilities, group homes, community settingsPrivate homes, healthcare facilities, community settings
Job DutiesAssist individuals with daily living, medication management, skill developmentAssist with personal hygiene, mobility, daily tasks
Employer & IndustryHealthcare providers, social service agenciesHome healthcare agencies, private families

Both roles involve supporting individuals with daily needs, but Residential Direct Support Professionals typically work in group homes or community settings with a focus on skill development and medication management, while Personal Care Assistants often work in private homes assisting with personal hygiene and daily tasks. Certifications like CPR and First Aid are common for both roles.

Is being a residential direct support professional a stressful job?

Being a residential direct support professional can be stressful due to the need to manage challenging behaviors, ensure safety, and provide emotional support to residents with disabilities. The job often requires strong communication skills, patience, and the ability to handle unpredictable situations, which can contribute to stress levels. However, some find the role rewarding and manageable with proper training and support.

Is being a residential direct support professional worth it?

A residential direct support professional provides assistance to individuals with disabilities in a residential setting, often requiring patience, communication skills, and certification. The role offers job stability, opportunities for personal fulfillment, and the chance to develop valuable skills, though it may involve physically and emotionally demanding work shifts. Overall, it can be a rewarding career for those interested in helping others and working in human services.

Where do residential direct support professionals get paid the most?

Residential direct support professionals tend to earn higher wages in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for healthcare services, such as urban areas or states with higher minimum wages. Salaries can also vary based on experience, certifications, and the specific employer or facility.

What are popular job titles related to Residential Direct Support Professional jobs in Ridgefield, CT?

For Residential Direct Support Professional jobs in Ridgefield, CT, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Residential Direct Support Professional jobs in Ridgefield, CT look for?

The top searched job categories for Residential Direct Support Professional jobs in Ridgefield, CT are:

What cities near Ridgefield, CT are hiring for Residential Direct Support Professional jobs?

Cities near Ridgefield, CT with the most Residential Direct Support Professional job openings:

Residential Direct Support Professional jobs near you
Infographic showing various Residential Direct Support Professional job openings in Ridgefield, CT as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,214 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Shrub Oak International School

Mohegan Lake, NY • On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Position: Direct Support Professional (DSP)Compensation: $20.00+ based on experienceDept: ResidentialType:Non-exemptReports To: Residential Managers/ Residential Director Location:On Site
Company Overview:
Shrub Oak International School (SOIS) is a therapeutic day and residential school for autistic children, adolescents, and young adults with complex co-occurring conditions. Located in northern Westchester County, Shrub Oak offers unparalleled educational opportunities for autistic students in a family-centric, supportive environment. We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of students across the spectrum, and our curriculum is based on the most advanced and successful evidence-based clinical and academic approaches in ASD education.
As a school, SOIS maintains a smoke-free environment to ensure the health and safety of our students, employees, and community. We are a residential school located on a scenic 127-acre campus which includes multiple buildings and a working farm for student programming. The work environment will include both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Who We Are:
SOIS is a community of dedicated professionals that work together to find meaning with and for our students. We strive to make every day memorable in positive ways, and to manage students' difficulties as a team. We are accountable, timely, and show up whenever needed to support our students and each other.
We are guided day-to-day by our four core principles.
  • We Care
  • We are Innovative
  • We are Collaborative
  • We are Resourceful

Benefits: (check for FT, PT or All)
  • Reduced Cost Meals every shift on site (All)
  • Employee assistance program (EAP) (All)
  • Insurance coverage: Health, vision, dental, life, supplemental and pet insurance (FT)
  • Flexible spending account (FSA) (FT)
  • Generous Paid time off (PTO) (FT)
  • 401k w/company match (FT)
  • Tuition/Professional development assistance (FT)

Who You Are:
  • You have a passion for working with the autism population and ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff.
  • You have strong written communication skills for documentation, progress notes, incident reports, and administrative tasks including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.).
  • You have strong verbal communication skills to engage effectively with students, staff, and external contacts in a positive and professional manner to build relationships.
  • You manage challenging behaviors and apply effective de-escalation techniques in high-stress situations.
  • You have strong critical thinking and analytical skills along with resilience and composure, processing information efficiently, especially in crisis situations.

Job Responsibilities:
All Shifts:
  • Facilitate daily care needs, department procedures, and programmatic outcomes for students.
  • Collaborate with departmental staff to ensure all students maintain a regular and appropriate schedule of events and daily living activities.
  • Support the individualized ITEP and other developmental goals for each student, collaborating with the ITEP team and documenting efforts and progress.
  • Build trusting relationships with students, understanding their unique needs, promoting a positive, inclusive environment by empowering self-advocacy, collaboration and independence.
  • Complete administrative tasks, including shift logs, maintenance requests, incident reports, and progress tracking.
  • Mentor and support students in developing life skills, advising them on a range of issues, collaborating with other departments as needed and consistently tracking concerns.
  • Serve as a resource for students and staff, guiding programs, activities, and academic support.
  • Transport students from day-to-day activities in a company vehicle may be required.
  • Attend required meetings, training, and seminars as scheduled.
Education Shifts:
  • Facilitate students' transition to and from classes.
  • While in class, encourage student engagement with peers, teachers and academic work.
  • Support any student in the room as directed by Head Teacher.
  • Facilitate student breaks as needed.

Please note: This job description is not a comprehensive list of tasks or responsibilities. Specific assignments can change within the relevant field and training of your position, with or without notice.
Position Requirements:
  • High school diploma/GED or equivalent required
  • 1 year of work experience in a high-volume/demanding customer service or human service position required
  • At least 3 years of work experience in a high-volume/demanding customer service or human service position preferred; special consideration given to those with EMT/EMS, CNA/HHA/PCA, or similar experience
  • Valid driver's license with the ability to pass a DMV driving abstract preferred; the ability to transport students in a company vehicle, may be required.
  • Crisis management and de-escalation experience required
  • Experience handling aggressive clients/customers, assisting with hygiene and personal care activities preferred
  • Due to the nature of work in supporting our students, all job description list the physical requirements for that position
  • Our campus consists of some paved areas but primarily consists of grass, gravel paths and parking lots. Additionally, many areas of our building are fully accessible, however, as a historic building some areas are only accessible by stairs.
  • You must be able to ambulate around the campus, including hills, stairs, grass and gravel.
  • Student Facing Positions:
    • Must be able to react and move quickly during student crisis, both for the safety of the student and for the staff.
    • Must be able to run across the campus and throughout the school to catch/monitor an eloping student, and/or to remove yourself from an unsafe situation.
    • You must be able to pass TCIS (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training for Schools).
      • You must be able to bend, stretch, sit, stand, crouch or kneel for sustained periods of time if implementing a hold.
  • Special Accommodations can be requested but will only be approved if the accommodation does not impact the ability to perform your position and it does not put yourself, a student, or any other staff member at risk of harm or injury.

Competencies:
  • CPR/AED for children and adults
  • First Aid for children and adults
  • Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training for Schools (TCIS)
  • Mandated Reporter Training

EEO Statement:
Shrub Oak is an equal employment opportunity employer. Shrub Oak International School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation can be requested to enable individuals with disabilities to apply for a job or to perform the essentials functions of their job. Requests may be approved if the position/department/school/students will not be adversely affected. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.
Pay Range Based on Experience
RateTierQualification$20 10-2 years (receive a 50 cent boost for completing NADSP Micro-credential for Tier 1)$21 23-5 years OR Complete NADSP Micro-credential for DSP 2$22 36+ years OR Complete NADSP Micro-credential for DSP 3

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