Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.
Functional Title: Direct Support Professional IV-Lead/Charge
Job Title: DSP IV Lead/Charge DSP
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Unit 4 - Residential Care
Posting Number: 18806
Closing Date: 08/18/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
Salary Range: $4,094.50 - $5,094.16
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-A-16
Shift: Evening
Additional Shift: Days (First); Evenings (Second); Nights (Third); Weekends
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 5%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location: Abilene State Supported Living Center
Job Location City: ABILENE
Job Location Address: 2501 MAPLE ST
Other Locations: Abilene
MOS Codes: No military equivalent
Brief Job Description:
Come work in an environment where we truly value and respect those we serve and believe in the mission that all people can achieve a higher level of wellness and independence.
The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. Learn About Our State Supported Living Centers
If you are looking for a place to work where you can establish a career that is filled with purpose, this is the job for you!
This position is available for Morning, Evening and Night shifts on multiple homes.
This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) IV, Lead/Charge DSP, performs advanced (senior-level) habilitative and rehabilitative care work with individuals who have developmental disabilities at the State Supported Living Center (SSLC). For the assigned home and shift, the Lead/Charge DSP coordinates habilitation and rehabilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, and treatment programs with individuals specifically related to the individual’s goals and programs. Assigns staff properly to provide supervision and support to an individual or group of individuals in accordance with levels of supervision and ensures staff are meaningfully engaged with individuals according to their plans. Ensures efficient operation and safety of the home through direct supervision of assigned staff and maintenance of daily documentation requirements. For their own assigned individual or group of individuals, performs direct care and support services to individuals and completes required documentation. Provides on-the-job training and mentorship to new DSPs. Documents and communicates progress to the designated supervisor. Coaches and leads all DSP staff on their assigned duties. Provides modeling, guidance, and support to DSP staff to build capacity Train, coaches and leads staff on the procedures related to unusual incidents, evacuations procedures, outings, infection control, and reporting maintenance issues. Serves as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. Performs other duties as assigned such as performing the duties of the Home Supervisor in their absence. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
This position may be required to drive a state-owned vehicle.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
For the assigned home and shift, coordinates habilitation and rehabilitation, behavior management, crisis intervention, and treatment programs with individuals specifically related to the individual’s goals and programs. Ensures that Active Treatment Daily Plans (ATDPs) are implemented so that each individual can pursue their assigned goals and objectives. Assigns staff properly, in accordance with individual plans, so that all individuals can attend assigned activities and programs. Ensures staff are meaningfully engaged with individuals, providing ongoing activities that serve each individual’s preferences. Monitors/documents individual participation/progression for effective communication with other staff.
Ensures efficient operation of the home through direct supervision of assigned staff and maintenance of daily documentation requirements. Assigns staff to provide supervision and support to an individual or group of individuals in accordance with levels of supervision. For their own assigned individual or group of individuals, performs direct care and support services to individuals. Implements positive behavior support plans (PBSPs), crisis intervention plans (CIPs) and skills acquisition plans (SAPs) to teach new skills such as feeding, dressing, personal hygiene, and other skills which promote independence. Ensures DSP staff properly enter electronic information on the person’s life, such as things that occur throughout their daily schedule, how they respond to activities in the home, training, and unusual incidents.
Provides training and mentorship to new DSPs. Provides guidance and assistance to DSP staff to understand and implement program procedures, policies, and laws, such as the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). Teaches, coaches and models proper care in areas such as grooming, bathing, feeding, lifting and positioning, feeding techniques, assisting with medication administration, observing and reporting individual’s conditions and behaviors, and engaging in meaningful interactions with individuals. Documents DSP progress for formalized on-the-job training processes. Reports any significant issues to the DSP V, Home Supervisor, for follow up.
Ensures that the home is maintained as a safe and sanitary living environment for individuals. Teaches DSP staff about infection control and risk management policies and procedures, ensuring protocols are correctly implemented. Models how to correct and report safety hazards. Teaches and oversees others how to submit work orders for maintenance issues.
Coaches and leads DSP staff on their assigned duties to ensure that individuals are free from physical and emotional harm. Models ongoing and respectful interaction between the staff and the individuals. Monitors and praises staff for positive performance, creating an environment where staff feel safe to ask for help and guidance, while intervening to correct mistakes in real time.
Ensures proper procedures are followed in Abuse and Neglect investigations and that proper supports are put in place as directed. Trains and coaches staff on the reporting of unusual incidents such as fires, abuse/neglect of individuals, injuries, falls, seizures, restraints, peer-to-peer episodes and unauthorized departures. Ensures appropriate protective/corrective measures are instituted following unusual incidents, as needed.
Provides modeling, guidance, and support to DSP staff to build capacity for working with individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors. Trains and assists DSP staff to implement the individual’s positive behavior support plan. Models how to work with individuals who have complex needs and who exhibit aggressive and/or self-injurious behaviors. Appropriately prevents or manages aggressive behavior between individuals to ensure that individuals are protected from harm or injury.
Prepares staff for taking individuals on planned outings and activities. Ensures they have the proper information about the trip, the needs of the individual(s) on the trip and are aware of how to handle any unexpected emergencies that occur while on the trip. Accompanies staff and individuals going on scheduled activities and in emergency situations, as needed.
Attends to healthcare needs of individuals under supervision of medical personnel. Observes individuals for signs and symptoms of disease, injury, reactions to medications, or other conditions which warrant medical intervention and properly documents observations. Administers first aid to individuals, as appropriate. Reports and ensures DSPs report significant changes in individuals’ physical conditions and/or behavior to designated personnel. Administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in emergency interventions.
Leads the evacuation of individuals in the event of a fire, natural disaster, emergency situation, or drill in accordance with the established plan. Provides directions and feedback to assigned staff during the event. Completes required documentation after the event. Reports results to the supervisor as required.
Serves as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team. Models a person-centered approach to working with individuals. Participates in the development of the individual’s treatment plan. Evaluates and provides feedback to the IDT on the individual’s progress toward acquiring new skills and achieving their goals.
Performs the duties of the Home Supervisor in their absence, as assigned. In that capacity, attends routine meetings such as scheduling meetings, morning unit/home meetings and staff meetings and follows up with issues generated from meetings. Prepares required reports and other documentation.
Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of individual care techniques and of treatment, therapy, and developmental programs.
Knowledge of person-centered planning.
Skill in the use of computers, including the electronic health record system.
Skill in communicating with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
Ability to make decisions and use good judgment when dealing with critical incidents.
Ability to react quickly and calmly in an emergency situation.
Ability to demonstrate proper body mechanics, good posture, and proper lifting techniques.
Ability to provide individual care, to administer first aid and/or CPR, to perform Ukeru (once trained), and to conduct Safe Use of Restraint (SUR).
Ability to train/mentor/coach others.
Ability to supervise the work of others
Ability to work effectively with others and as a member of a team.
Ability to master basic techniques of individual care and training.
Ability to be flexible in handling work assignments.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
Valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date, is preferred.
Applicants with an out-of-state driver’s license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
Certification in CPR, First Aid, Ukeru, and/or Safe Use of Restraint (SUR) is preferred.
Initial Screening Criteria:
Required:
-
One (1) year experience as a Direct Support Professional (DSP);
-
Experience implementing behavior programs or assisting people with intellectual developmental disabilities with activities of daily living.
-
Experience completing documentation or writing reports.
Preferred:
-
Two (2) years of experience as a Direct Support Professional (DSP)
-
High School diploma or equivalent
-
Experience leading or supervising others
Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities (LEIE).
Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:
Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form
Telework Disclaimer:
This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.
