Direct Support Professional (DSP) – Pasadena
The Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Confidential Client provides hands-on support to individuals with developmental disabilities, focusing on promoting independence, community engagement, and personal goal achievement. This role involves supervising participants, implementing person-centered activities, assisting with personal care, and maintaining accurate documentation, all within a supportive and inclusive environment. The position requires physical assistance capabilities, strong communication skills, and a commitment to participant safety and dignity.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, a nonprofit human services organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position summary & key info
Confidential Client is hiring Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) — also called Community Coach in this organization — to support participants at site-based Pasadena programs. This is an ongoing recruitment for multiple East Pasadena-area locations.
- Location: East Pasadena, CA
- Employment types: Full‑time, Part‑time, and Per‑Diem
- Pay: $20.00 per hour
- Schedule: Varies by program (primarily Monday–Friday, with some evenings and weekends)
- Title on offer letter: Community Coach
What You’ll Do
As a Direct Support Professional (DSP) / Community Coach you will:
- Actively supervise participants to ensure health, safety, and engagement throughout the program day
- Implement activities and lesson plans that reflect each participant’s Person‑Centered Plan (PCP) goals
- Create and facilitate inclusive group activities and community outings
- Support personal care needs where required (feeding, toileting, hygiene; may include use of lifts)
- Assist with swimming activities and supervise participants in pool settings when needed
- Complete timely, accurate documentation of participant progress and case notes
- Communicate participant concerns to supervisors and the care team
- Drive agency vehicles or accompany participants on public transportation once approved as a program driver
- Participate in ongoing training, staff meetings, and professional development
Who We’re Looking For (Qualifications)
- High school diploma or equivalent — required
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience — preferred
- 1–2 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities — preferred
- Ability to provide physical assistance, including lifting/transferring participants — required
- Willingness to participate in swimming and community activities — required
- Strong written and verbal communication skills — required
- Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a multicultural environment — required
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends as needed
- Valid driver’s license — preferred (required for driver positions)
- Ability to obtain First Aid/CPR certification
- Successful completion of background checks (LiveScan), TB test, and any program-required screenings
Special note for childcare programs: 12 ECE college units may be required.
Work environment & physical demands
- Combination of indoor (program rooms, offices) and outdoor/community settings
- Active, hands-on role that may include prolonged standing and physical assistance
- Lifting up to 50 pounds at times
- Some desk/computer work for documentation
Special conditions & required clearances
To comply with program and California requirements, candidates selected for hire must complete as a condition of employment:
- TB test
- LiveScan fingerprint/background check
- Drug screening
- Required vaccinations (Hepatitis B, Tdap, MMR) and annual influenza vaccination documentation or declination where applicable
- Physical / fitness-for-duty clearance
Mandated reporter obligations and applicable California-specific health & safety requirements apply for staff working in childcare/day programs. For driver roles, applicants must provide DMV driving records and maintain a satisfactory driving history as a condition of employment.
Why join Confidential Client
- Meaningful work supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Flexible scheduling (full‑time, part‑time, per‑diem)
- Entry‑level friendly with paid training
- Growth opportunities in human services and behavioral health
- Benefits (when eligible) including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, paid holidays, employee discounts, and mileage/cellphone reimbursements where applicable
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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