What are the responsibilities and job description for the Day Program Direct Support Professional position at THE ARC OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY INC?
Direct Support Professional (DSP) – Day Support Options
Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–3:30 PM | Starting Pay: $19.20/hour | Outstanding Benefits | 3 Weeks Vacation in Your First Year
Help Someone Have a Great Day — and Build a Life They Choose
Are you someone who enjoys being active, connecting with people, trying new things, and helping others discover what they can do?
The Arc of Litchfield County, Inc. (LARC) is looking for compassionate, energetic, and dependable Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to join our Day Service Options (DSO) Program.
This isn't a job where you sit behind a desk all day — and no two days have to look exactly alike.
As a DSO DSP, you'll support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as they build skills, explore interests, participate in their communities, develop relationships, and work toward personal goals.
Your job isn't to plan someone's life for them. It's to listen, encourage, support, and create opportunities for each person to have meaningful experiences and greater choice in how they spend their day.
What Could Your Day Look Like?
One day you might help someone learn a new skill or work toward an individual goal. Another could involve volunteering, exercising, visiting a local business, participating in a community activity, working on communication or social skills, or discovering a completely new interest.
You may:
- Support individuals in participating in meaningful community activities and experiences
- Help people explore hobbies, interests, recreation, volunteering, and social opportunities
- Teach and reinforce skills that increase independence
- Support goals identified in each person's individualized plan
- Encourage choice, self-advocacy, confidence, and decision-making
- Help individuals build relationships and connections within their community
- Develop engaging activities based on people's interests, abilities, and goals
- Provide transportation and support individuals while participating in community activities
- Assist with personal care and other individual needs when required
- Observe progress and accurately document services, goals, and important information
- Work collaboratively with coworkers, managers, families, and members of the team
Most importantly, you'll focus on strengths and possibilities — what someone enjoys, what matters to them, what they want to learn, and what they would like to accomplish.
We're Looking for More Than a Caregiver
Great DSPs don't simply supervise people.
They engage. Teach. Encourage. Listen. Notice. Create opportunities.
We're looking for someone who can walk into work and ask:
"What can we make possible today?"
You don't need to have all the answers. You do need to be curious, dependable, patient, creative, and willing to get involved.
Because you're supporting people who depend on you, reliability and follow-through matter. You'll also be responsible for completing required documentation and following individual plans, safety practices, and applicable DDS, DPH, Medicaid Waiver, OSHA, HIPAA, and LARC requirements.
Qualifications:
What You'll Need
- High school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Valid Connecticut driver's license with a safe driving record
- Ability to successfully complete required background checks and a pre-employment physical
- Basic computer skills and the ability to complete required electronic documentation
- Ability and willingness to support individuals with varying needs
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Reliability, good judgment, and a commitment to person-centered support
Even Better If You Have:
- Previous experience as a DSP, CNA, PCA, caregiver, job coach, paraprofessional, or human services professional
- Experience supporting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities
- CPR, First Aid, PMT, or Medication Administration certification
- Experience with Therap or similar electronic documentation systems
Never worked as a DSP before?
That's okay. Some of the qualities that make someone an exceptional DSP can't be taught: compassion, reliability, patience, curiosity, respect, and a genuine belief in people's potential.
Bring those qualities and a willingness to learn, and LARC will provide the required training.
Why Join LARC?
Excellent Health Insurance
Employee premiums as low as $15.19 per week
Generous Paid Time Off
Enjoy 3 weeks of vacation in your first year
Paid Training & Development
We'll help you develop the skills and certifications you need to succeed.
Work That Keeps You Engaged
This is active, people-centered work that can take you into the community and introduce you to new experiences.
See the Impact of Your Work
Celebrate the everyday wins — a new skill learned, a new place explored, a new relationship formed, or someone doing something today that they couldn't do yesterday.
A Culture of Belonging
Join an inclusive organization grounded in dignity, respect, choice, opportunity, and the belief that every person has strengths to contribute.
Bring Your Strengths. Help Someone Discover Theirs.
If you want a job where your energy, creativity, compassion, and reliability can make a meaningful difference, we'd like to meet you.
Apply today and help create days filled with purpose, connection, growth, and possibility.
LARC is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and a drug-free workplace. Pre-employment drug testing for illegal substances is required.
Keywords: Direct Support Professional, DSP, Day Program, Day Services, DSO, CNA, PCA, caregiver, direct care, community support, community inclusion, human services, social services, disability services, I/DD, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, DDS, nonprofit, behavioral health, autism support, person-centered care, job coach, paraprofessional.
Salary : $19