Direct Support Professional Overnights
Job Description
Direct Support Professional (DSP) – Overnight, Residential Youth
Location: Thompson, CT | Pay: $20.00/hour | Schedule: Overnight Shifts, See Below
Join our Team!
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people? Do you value flexibility and meaningful work? If so, Arbor Associates invites you to join our dedicated team in Thompson, CT!
At Arbor Associates, we are not just about staffing — we are deeply committed to the communities we serve. For nearly 40 years, we've been a trusted leader in Southern New England, connecting compassionate caregivers with meaningful opportunities that make a real difference every day.
We're seeking dependable, mission-driven Direct Support Professionals to support adolescent youth with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairments and complex behavioral, mental health, or medical challenges in a residential setting. If you're calm under pressure, patient by nature, and committed to helping young people thrive, we'd love to hear from you.
How You'll Contribute
A Direct Support Professional empowers individuals with disabilities or special needs to live as independently and meaningfully as possible. In this overnight residential role, you'll serve as a steady, supportive presence for adolescent youth — providing consistent care, maintaining a safe environment, and helping residents build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
What You'll Do
- Provide hands-on support with daily living activities, including personal hygiene, dressing, mobility, meal preparation, and feeding
- Assist with household tasks such as light housekeeping, laundry, and maintaining a clean and safe living environment
- Support health and wellness, including medication administration (if certified), monitoring health conditions, and documenting observations
- Implement behavioral support strategies and maintain a safe, structured overnight environment
- Encourage community participation, social interaction, and life skills development
- Maintain clear and timely documentation, accurately recording services provided, health updates, and progress toward individual goals
- Collaborate with program staff, families, and healthcare providers, ensuring effective communication at shift transitions
- Foster a respectful, inclusive, and person-centered environment, upholding dignity, cultural sensitivity, and individual preferences at all times
- Follow all program policies, safety protocols, and confidentiality requirements
- Demonstrate professionalism and accountability in every shift
Job Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Minimum 6 months of experience in direct care or human services, or in a comparable role such as CNA, HHA, PCA, Residential Counselor, Mental Health Worker, or Caregiver
- Must be comfortable working with adolescent youth with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairments and complex behavioral, mental health, or medical challenges
- Current CPR/First Aid certification; MAP certification preferred
- Reliable transportation
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to pass all required background checks
- Must be able to attend one mandatory 9:00 AM–5:00 PM orientation/training session
- Must provide an updated TB test and physical prior to starting
Physical Requirements - Ability to lift and/or move individuals or objects up to 50 lbs., with or without assistance
- Ability to stand for extended periods and participate in indoor and outdoor activities
- Ability to bend, stoop, crouch, and kneel to accommodate client needs
- Physical interventions such as restraint, lifting, and carrying may be required depending on assignment
Available Schedules
Two shift options available — candidates may choose the schedule that works best for them:
- Option 1: Sunday–Tuesday, 10:30 PM–8:00 AM
- Option 2: Thursday–Saturday, 10:30 PM–8:00 AM
Weekend availability is required.
Why You'll Love Working with Arbor Associates
- Nearly 40 Years of Experience — we know how to support our staff and help them succeed
- Competitive Pay at $20.00/hour
- Flexible Scheduling — choose the shift option that fits your life
- Variety of Assignments — diverse clients and settings across Southern New England
- 24/7 Availability — our team is on call around the clock to support you
- 4-Hour Cancellation Policy — if a shift is canceled late, you receive 4 hours of pay
- Career Pathing — training, certifications, and opportunities for advancement
- Benefits — available for those consistently working full-time hours
- Tailored Training — we ensure you're prepared for every program you support
- Transparent Communication — prompt, clear, and honest at every step
- Supportive, Respectful Culture — at Arbor, we're more than coworkers; we're a team
- Dedicated Support — a dedicated point of contact at every stage
Arbor Associates serves Southern New England, including Greater Boston, Central and Western Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. We live and work in these communities and are committed to providing the care and support needed to help them thrive.
If you're a motivated human services professional ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and behavioral health needs, apply today.
Meet Your Recruiter
Human Resources Manager
Judith Saraf joined Arbor in 2023 as the Human Resources Manager, responsible for overseeing HR functions and teams. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Plymouth State University and brings with her over 27 years of Human Resources related experience and knowledge working in the healthcare and hospitality fields. Judith has assisted companies streamline and implement HRIS systems, lead organizations through the shift to consumer driven health plans, executed talent management strategies including recruitment and retention initiatives and has many years of experience with internal employee and labor relations. She has a passion for employee engagement with creative programs and is one of many things she looks forward to bringing to the Arbor team. When not at work, she enjoys painting, and spending time with her husband and 3 sons. Judith also enjoys volunteering with “A Wish Come True” - a nonprofit that delivers wishes to critically ill children in Southeastern MA and Rhode Island.