Direct Support Professional – Central San Diego & North County (Oceanside to Carmel Valley)
Pay: Starts at $21.00 per hour
Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Immediate Supervisor: Respective Team Coordinator
Supervision Exercised: Persons Served
Position Summary
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) provides compassionate, person-centered support to adults with developmental disabilities, helping them lead safe, meaningful, and independent lives. This position serves clients across Central San Diego and North County (Oceanside to Carmel Valley) and surrounding communities, delivering a variety of individualized services including Supported Living Services (SLS), Independent Living Services (ILS), and Tailored Day Services (TDS). Under the supervision of the Supported Living Coordinator, the DSP delivers direct care in home and community settings, assisting with daily living activities, skill-building, and social engagement. This role requires flexibility, professionalism, and a deep commitment to individual dignity and autonomy.
Services Provided
As a Direct Support Professional serving the Central San Diego and North County (Oceanside to Carmel Valley) region, you will deliver a range of individualized services, including:
- Supported Living Services (SLS) – Provide ongoing, person-centered support to individuals living in their own homes, helping them maintain independence while ensuring their health, safety, and overall well-being.
- Independent Living Services (ILS) – Assist clients in developing and maintaining the skills needed to live as independently as possible, including household management, budgeting, transportation, and self-advocacy.
- Tailored Day Services (TDS) – Provide flexible, personalized support designed around each individual's unique goals, interests, and daily routines outside of a traditional facility setting.
Essential Functions
Primary Responsibilities (80% or more):
- Deliver 1:1 support to individuals in their homes and during community outings.
- Assist with personal care, including hygiene, bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and toileting as needed.
- Support individuals in developing independent living skills based on their goals and Individual Support Plans (ISPs).
- Promote health and safety through active observation, intervention, and assistance.
- Assist with medication intake (if applicable) and monitor overall well-being.
- Monitor and record vital signs as needed, ensuring any changes are reported to appropriate healthcare professionals.
- Utilize the AxisCare mobile app to document daily activities and shift reports.
Secondary Responsibilities (20% or less):
- Assist with household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and laundry.
- Support individuals in accessing employment and community resources.
- Encourage and support community participation, relationship-building, and social inclusion.
- Collaborate on ISP development and provide feedback to the individual's support team.
- Attend staff meetings, trainings, and professional development sessions.
- Submit documentation in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.
Travel Requirements
This position requires regular travel across the Central San Diego and North County (Oceanside to Carmel Valley) region. Travel duties include but are not limited to:
- Traveling to and from client locations within the service area.
- Traveling between multiple clients during a single shift.
- Driving clients to appointments, errands, community activities, and other destinations.
Personal Vehicle & Mileage Reimbursement
DSPs are required to use their personal vehicle to transport clients within the service area as part of this role. Civitas provides a Mileage Reimbursement Program to compensate employees for work-related mileage driven in their personal vehicles. Mileage must be accurately logged through the MileIQ mobile app for timely reimbursement processing.
Additional Expectations
- Maintain open and timely communication with supervisors and the support team.
- Report changes in individuals' needs, behavior, or home environment.
- Follow all Civitas policies, including compliance with Wage Order 15 and the 80/20 rule for personal attendants.
- Represent Civitas and persons served with professionalism and respect in the community.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Supported Living Coordinator.
Professional Development & Training Opportunities
Civitas is committed to the growth and development of our team. DSPs will have access to a variety of professional training opportunities, including but not limited to:
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) – Training in applied behavior analysis principles to better support individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Pro-ACT (Professional Assault Crisis Training) – Techniques for safely and respectfully de-escalating crisis situations and ensuring the safety of clients and staff.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to assist with both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing transfers.
- Must be able to work in a variety of settings, including homes, community locations, and outdoors.
- Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 25 lbs.
Qualifications
- Must have a reliable personal vehicle to travel to work and within the Central San Diego and North County (Oceanside to Carmel Valley) service area.
- Valid driver's license, a clean driving record.
- Experience with Supported Living Services (SLS), Independent Living Services (ILS), or Tailored Day Services (TDS) is a plus.
- Previous experience in long-term care, home health, or assisted living settings is preferred.
- Familiarity with working with individuals with disabilities is highly desirable.
- Successful completion of all onboarding requirements, including background clearance, CPR/First Aid certification, and mandated training.
- Strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality and following all Civitas conduct standards.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build rapport with clients.
- Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
- Reliability, adaptability, and a genuine passion for person-centered care.
Reimbursement & Allowances:
- Mileage Reimbursement: IRS standard rate (currently $0.67/mile) for travel exceeding 30 miles/day
- Paid Training: All onboarding and in-service trainings are compensated at the standard hourly rate
Additional Benefits (Based on Full-Time Status)
- Sick Leave: Per California Healthy Workplace Healthy Family Act (40 hours)
- PTO: 80 hours of PTO for full-time employees, 40 Hours for Part-time
- Employee 401k – Including up to a 3% employer match.
- Flexible Scheduling: Adaptable caseload management and work hours
Join our team of dedicated professionals who are making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities across Central San Diego and the North County (Oceanside to Carmel Valley) community. Whether supporting clients through SLS, ILS, or TDS, your work will help empower others to live fulfilling and independent lives!
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $21.00 - $24.00 per hour
Expected hours: 16.0 – 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
License/Certification:
- Driver's License and proof of auto insurance (Required)
Shift availability:
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
