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JOB DETAILS

Direct Support Professional 3

CompanyCommunity Link, Inc.
LocationFairview Heights
Work ModeOn Site
PostedSeptember 21, 2026
About The Company
Since 1972, Community Link has been an innovator in human services—empowering more than 500 children and adults with developmental disabilities each year to live, learn, and work in their communities. As a nonprofit organization, we’re built on a tradition of compassion, professionalism, and excellence. Whether through early childhood supports, community day services, residential homes, or employment programs, our mission is to help every individual reach their fullest potential. At the heart of everything we do is a belief that every person deserves the opportunity to grow, contribute, and belong. From in-home supports to job coaching and residential living, our programs are centered on the individual, their family, and their goals—delivered with care, respect, and a commitment to best practices. Together, we’re building a more inclusive world—one person, one family, and one community at a time. 🌐 www.commlink.org
About the Role

Description

SUMMARY:

Assists individuals to work toward and achieve outcomes, and to promote personal growth, community integration, economic potential, and have meaningful experiences and interactions.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Assist participant to develop and engage in interesting and meaningful activities.
  • Provide supports identified in participants’ approved plans.
  • Ensure safety and well-being for participants during all program activities.
  • Provide appropriate personal care to participants, including assistance with restroom use, hygiene, meals, and minor medical issues.
  • Encourage and aid participants to communicate and advocate their preferences.
  • Provide transportation for participants to and from Community Day Services locations and the community in the form of driving and/or monitoring oversight as needed.
  • Provide on-the-job training to DSP1s, ensuring all employees are properly trained.
  • Administer routine and PRN medications under the direction, training, and authorization of an RN Nurse Trainer.
  • Observe agency policies, procedures, and guidelines.


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversees DSP1s by providing training, planning and directing daily work. Assist Program Manager with evaluation of DSP1s.


Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in human services field including, but not limited to, psychology, sociology, special education or rehabilitation counseling; or High School Diploma / GED with at least one year of experience/training related to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as participant program plans and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports. Ability to effectively present information in one on one and small group situations to participants, co-workers, and supervisors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to perform these operations using units of money.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret and carry out a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. 

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Effective and efficient communication skills. An ability to adapt favorably to changing program

needs. Genuine interest in welfare of participants. Competent knowledge of behavior principles. 

  • Capability with basic computer operations for participant data tracking, incident reporting and other processes deemed necessary by the supervisory staff. Must pass the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) with an 80% or higher score.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

 The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee occasionally is required to bend stoop, squat, crawl, climb-height, reach above shoulder level, crouch, kneel, balance and push/pull. The employee continuously is required to lift up to 10 lbs. The employee occasionally is required to lift between 11 lbs – 50 lbs. The job requires the employee to use the left and right hand for repetitive actions for simple grasping, firm grasping and fine manipulating.  

The employee must be able to provide assistance to individuals as needed such as maneuvering wheelchairs, or assisting clients in ambulating and transferring when necessary. The employee is occasionally required to use a keyboard and mouse to input information and view a computer monitor. Must be able to stay awake during the employee’s work shift.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.  

The employee must be able to drive agency vehicles.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.


Key Skills
Direct SupportPersonal CareMedication AdministrationStaff TrainingBehavior PrinciplesData TrackingIncident ReportingCommunicationTransportationSafety MonitoringAdvocacyDocumentationProblem SolvingTeam Leadership
Categories
Social ServicesHealthcareManagement & Leadership
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
The Direct Support Professional 3 assists individuals with developmental disabilities in achieving personal growth and community integration through daily support and care. They also provide supervision and training to DSP1 staff members to ensure quality service delivery.
📋Job Type
full time
📊Experience Level
0-2
💼Company Size
60
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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