Direct Support Professional

This website is Audio Eye enabled and is being optimized for accessibility. To open the Audio Eye Toolbar, press "shift + =". Some assistive technologies may require the use of a passthrough function before this keystroke. For more information, activate the button labeled "Explore your accessibility options".

Use the County Jobs tab to search through your municipality's employment opportunities. Subscribe to job posting notifications to be automatically alerted of the latest career opportunities by clicking on the Notify Me button.

Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Experience

Required:

2 years of experience OR meets minimum educational requirements
Preferred

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field
Direct Supervisor: Court Services Deputy Director
Primary

Work Location:

Office and Field-Based Settings
Physical requirements: This is operative work requiring the exertion of up to and exceeding 50 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
Certification: Valid Driver’s License

Job Summary
:
The Direct Support Professional provides direct care, supervision, and skill-building to justice-involved individuals who may have co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions. The role helps clients build practical life skills that support stability, treatment engagement, recovery, and successful reintegration.

Essential Job Functions
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all the following essential duties:

• Provide individualized support in collaboration with case managers and behavioral health clinicians
• Meet with clients in facilitated group and/or one-to-one settings to focus on:
  • Communication, conflict resolution, and accountability skills
  • Problem-solving and decision-making (including safer choice planning)
  • Daily living skills
  • Goal setting, motivation, and progress tracking using tools/worksheets
• Support treatment and supervision adherence to client care plan (e.g., set appointments, monitor progress, conduct check-ins, provide transports, offer group and individuals classes)
• Assist with reentry readiness skills: forms/navigation support, understanding expectations, transportation planning, and connecting to community resources
• Coordinate with partners (case management team, behavioral health providers, SUD counselors, housing staff, employment supports) to align skill-building with treatment goals
• Attend key team meetings
• Document services delivered and client progress in the county’s systems, following all compliance requirements
• Maintain a safe residential environment and respond appropriately to emergencies
• Transporting clients to/from locations within the county, may require evenings or occasional weekends

Essential Functions, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s) for Employment

An employee in this class must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:

Knowledge

• Considerable knowledge and/or experience with criminal justice system, probation and community service navigation
• Lived experience or knowledgeable in accessing community resources with needs ranging from basic life activities to crisis intervention and recovery and rehabilitation
• Knowledgeable in interviewing, assessment and coaching techniques
• Microsoft Office experience required

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and engagement skills: rapport-building, coaching, and sustained follow-through
• Time management and reliability for scheduling and coordination tasks
• Good judgment regarding confidentiality and mandated reporting requirements

Abilities

• Successfully complete a criminal background investigation
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, guidelines and procedures
• Demonstrated ability to work in a leadership capacity in addition to proven independent decision making and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate information orally and ideas in writing to effectively work with people of diverse backgrounds
• Engagement & rapport: build trust quickly and maintain consistent relationships with clients experiencing SUD/MI and justice involvement
• Behavioral reinforcement & accountability: use supportive accountability (goal setting, tracking, follow-through plans) without escalating conflict
• Assessment of needs/barriers identify barriers to participation (symptoms, transportation, housing instability, paperwork, stigma) and translate them into achievable next steps
• Communication: demonstrate strong listening, clarity, and ability to explain expectations, resources, and next steps in plain language
• Care coordination: coordinate with case managers, behavioral health providers, SUD counselors, and community partners; effectively communicate updates
• Professional boundaries & ethics: maintain confidentiality appropriately, know mandated reporting rules, and handle conflicts professionally
• Regular work attendance is required

Rockingham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer