Lead DSP

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your DSP Career?

Lead Direct Support Professional (Lead DSP) – Residential Services

Your experience matters. Your leadership can make a difference.

Richmond Community Services (RCS) is seeking experienced, dependable, and motivated Direct Support Professionals who are ready to take on a greater leadership role within our residential programs.

The Lead DSP is an opportunity to turn your experience into a positive influence on your team, help coworkers succeed, and strengthen the quality and consistency of supports provided to the people we serve.

As a Lead DSP, you will remain actively involved in direct support while serving as an on-shift resource for your coworkers. You will help coordinate daily activities, guide and mentor staff, reinforce best practices, and help ensure important responsibilities are completed throughout the shift.

What Does a Lead DSP Do?

Lead and Support Your Team

• Help coordinate daily shift activities and ensure responsibilities are followed through.

• Serve as a resource and mentor for DSPs, including helping orient and guide new employees.

• Promote teamwork, professionalism, accountability, and effective communication.

• Help maintain continuity between Day and Evening shifts through scheduled communication and handoffs.

Promote Quality, Safety, and Accountability

• Help ensure required documentation is completed accurately and on time.

• Review shift completion reports and follow up on outstanding documentation.

• Reinforce established procedures related to medication responsibilities, health monitoring, and required records.

• Communicate health, safety, staffing, and operational concerns to management.

Support the Daily Operations of the Residence

• Help coordinate appointments, health-related follow-up, and communication with Community Nursing.

• Support smooth transitions between Day Programs and the residence.

• Help monitor household supplies, food inventory, clothing needs, and vehicle maintenance records.

• Identify operational needs and bring them to management's attention.

Who Should Consider This Opportunity?

We are looking for DSPs who:

• Have a strong understanding of OPWDD requirements and person-centered supports.

• Lead by example through professionalism, sound judgment, and reliability.

• Take ownership of responsibilities and follow through without repeated reminders.

• Communicate effectively and know when to seek guidance or escalate concerns.

• Enjoy helping coworkers learn, grow, and succeed.

• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to the rights, dignity, independence, and quality of life of the people we support.

Minimum Qualifications

• To be considered, the employee must:

  • Have two (2) years of experience working as a DSP at any location at Richmond. 
  • Have a minimum of six (6) months of experience working at the location where they intend to support as a Lead DSP.
  • Otherwise, meet the minimum qualifications for the DSP position, including maintaining all required certifications and training.
  • Be in good standing and have a satisfactory performance grade of at least one (1) on the annual performance appraisal. 
  • Demonstrate reliable attendance and punctuality, without any attendance violations for the last six (6) months. 

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Important Role Information

• Lead DSP positions are available in applicable RCS residential programs.

• Each participating residence has a Day Lead and an Evening Lead.

• This is a union-represented, working-lead position. The Lead DSP remains actively engaged in direct support and does not replace the Residential Manager or assume formal supervisory authority.

• Selected candidates will complete a dedicated seven-hour Lead DSP training before assuming the role.