Direct Support Professional Lead

Direct Support Professional Lead (DSP Lead)

Access Community Care
Full-Time | Portland Metro Area
Schedule: 40+ hours per week

Make an Impact. Support a Team. Help People Live More Independently.

Access Community Care is looking for a Direct Support Professional Lead (DSP Lead) to join our team and help support the people we serve while also providing leadership and operational support to our DSP team.

This is a hybrid, hands-on leadership role that combines direct support, staff training, scheduling support, and program administration. The DSP Lead will work both in the office and in the field based on program needs.

This position is ideal for someone who has experience as a DSP and is ready to take the next step into a leadership, training, and program support role—without completely stepping away from direct support.

You will be an important resource for DSP staff, helping new employees learn their roles, supporting consistent service delivery, assisting with scheduling, and stepping in to provide direct support when coverage is needed.

What You'll Do

Lead & Support DSP Staff

• Serve as a resource and support for DSP staff.
• Model professionalism, reliability, and person-centered support.
• Answer staff questions and reinforce company policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Communicate staff concerns, training needs, and operational issues to management.
• Help create a positive, respectful, and supportive team environment.
• Support the onboarding and development of new DSP employees.

Train & Coach New Staff

• Provide onboarding and ongoing training for ADL staff.
• Help new DSPs learn how to provide person-centered support and assist individuals with activities of daily living.
• Provide hands-on coaching and guidance through shadow shifts.
• Reinforce expectations around documentation, safety, communication, and service delivery.
• Help ensure staff understand required training and certifications.

Support Program Administration

• Assist management with day-to-day program coordination.
• Help monitor documentation, including progress notes and incident reports.
• Assist with gathering information for assessments, audits, and program needs.
• Help maintain consistent communication between staff, management, and scheduling.
• Support compliance with company policies and state regulations.

Assist With Scheduling

• Serve as a backup to the primary scheduler.
• Help maintain accurate staff schedules and adequate coverage.
• Assist with coordinating call-outs and last-minute schedule changes.
• Communicate schedule updates to staff as directed.
• Identify staffing gaps and communicate concerns to management.

Provide Direct Support When Needed

While this position includes significant leadership and administrative responsibilities, the DSP Lead is still a hands-on DSP and will provide direct support when operational needs require it.

Responsibilities may include:

• Supporting individuals with activities of daily living.
• Supporting community participation and independence.
• Following individual service plans and person-centered goals.
• Maintaining dignity, choice, privacy, and respect.
• Completing required documentation when providing direct support.
• Stepping in during staff absences or scheduling gaps.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is reliable, organized, patient, confident, and comfortable taking initiative.

You may be a great fit if you have:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) preferred.
• Previous DSP, leadership, training, scheduling, or program coordination experience preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organization and time-management skills.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to learn scheduling and documentation systems.
• The ability to work independently while also being a strong team player.
• A willingness to step in and help wherever the program needs support.
• The ability to maintain professional boundaries while building positive relationships.
• A person-centered approach to supporting individuals.
• Flexibility and the ability to remain calm when plans change.

Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Valid driver's license.
• Reliable vehicle.
• Current auto insurance.
• Acceptable driving record.
• Ability to pass required background checks.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 20 lbs. as needed.
• Ability and willingness to complete and maintain all required certifications and training.
• Ability to work a minimum of 40 hours per week.
• Willingness to work both in the office and in the field based on program needs.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, success means:

• DSP staff feel supported and have the tools and training they need to succeed.
• New employees receive consistent, effective onboarding and coaching.
• Scheduling gaps are identified and addressed quickly.
• Documentation and administrative processes remain organized and consistent.
• Individuals receiving services experience reliable, respectful, person-centered support.
• Management has a dependable partner who helps identify and solve day-to-day operational challenges.
• You step in when needed and help keep services running smoothly.

Why Join Access Community Care?

At Access Community Care, we believe people deserve support that promotes choice, dignity, independence, and meaningful participation in their communities.

As a DSP Lead, you'll have the opportunity to make an impact in two ways: supporting the individuals we serve and helping develop the staff who support them.

If you're an experienced DSP who is ready to grow into a leadership role, enjoys training and supporting others, and likes having a position where every day is a little different, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to join the Access Community Care team!

Physical & Work Environment

This is a hybrid position that includes both office and field-based work. The role may require standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 20 lbs., driving, and providing hands-on support to individuals as needed.

The DSP Lead must be comfortable working in a variety of community and home-based environments and adapting to changing program needs.

Access Community Care is an equal opportunity employer.