Direct Support Professional (DSP)
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Direct Support Professional (DSP)
Join True Friends in our mission to provide life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities.
About the Role
As a Direct Support Professional (DSP), you’ll play an important role in creating a safe, supportive, and engaging experience for participants. You’ll provide hands-on support with personal care and health needs, meals, activities, and daily routines while encouraging participants to build independence and enjoy their time at True Friends.
We have both part-time weekend and full-time weekday opportunities available. While schedules and programs vary, DSPs share the same goal: providing safe, consistent, and meaningful support to the individuals we serve.
This is a hands-on, active role that requires patience, flexibility, teamwork, and a genuine desire to support people with disabilities.
Where You Could Work
This role may be available at one or both of our locations:
- Camp Friendship | Annandale, MN *Only part-time weekend opportunities
- Camp Eden Wood | Eden Prairie, MN *Both part-time weekend, and full-time weekday opportunities
Please note: Specific positions and openings vary by location and staffing needs. This role may not be available at every location listed above. You’ll be able to indicate your preferred location(s) during the application process, and we’ll consider your preferences based on current needs.
Schedule
We currently have DSP opportunities with the following schedules:
Part-Time Weekend
- Part-time, year round
- Work begins Friday evening at approximately 5:30pm and continues through Sunday morning, ending at approximately 1pm
- Staff are expected to remain onsite and available throughout the weekend
Full-Time Weekday
- Full-time, year round
- Monday through Thursday
- 8am - 5pm
- Opportunities to support the weekend program may be available based on program needs and availability
What You’ll Do
Your responsibilities may include:
- Provide support with participants’ personal care, health needs, safety, and general welfare
- Assist participants with meals and daily routines
- Lead and participate in recreational and leisure activities
- Encourage participants to build independence and participate in activities
- Monitor and report changes in a participant’s condition or needs
- Administer medications as required and according to established procedures
- Complete required documentation accurately and on time
- Help ensure participants’ belongings are properly checked in and returned home with them
- Maintain clean and organized spaces used by participants and staff
- Transport participants to various locations as needed
- Participate in required training, meetings, and professional development
- Communicate effectively with coworkers and leadership
- Work as part of a team to provide safe, consistent, and quality support
- Perform other duties as assigned
Why You’ll Love It
- Make a direct difference: Your work helps participants have meaningful, safe, and memorable experiences.
- Build meaningful relationships: Get to know participants and be part of their experiences and successes.
- Stay active: This is a hands-on role where every day can look different.
- Learn and grow: Develop valuable skills in caregiving, communication, problem-solving, and working with individuals with disabilities.
- Be part of a community: Work alongside a team that shares a commitment to creating positive experiences for participants.
What You’ll Gain
- Hands-on experience: Develop practical skills supporting individuals with disabilities.
- Transferable skills: Strengthen communication, teamwork, patience, flexibility, organization, and problem-solving.
- Personal growth: Build confidence and resilience through meaningful work.
- Leadership opportunities: Gain experience taking responsibility for participant care, activities, and daily routines.
- A meaningful experience: Be part of an organization focused on helping people build independence and self-esteem.
True Friends Benefits
- Flexible scheduling options
- Opportunities to gain and grow leadership skills
- Support for a healthy work-life balance
- Free meals during Summer Camp season
- Employee Referral Program
- Scenic and inspiring work environment
- Retirement Savings Plan with opportunity for 3% Employer Match
- Fun, organization-wide events
- Cabin Rental Discounts
- ...and more!
What You’ll Bring to the Table
- High school diploma or equivalent required; some college in a related field is desirable
- Previous experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also working independently
- Strong attention to detail, particularly when supporting participant health and safety
- Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to learn
- Ability to respond appropriately to challenging behaviors and physical aggression
- Ability to follow directions, procedures, and documentation requirements
- Ability to pass the required organizational background study
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
This is an active position that involves working both indoors and outdoors. Staff should be prepared to:
- Walk, sit, stand, bend, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and move throughout the workday
- Lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds
- Hear and communicate verbally with participants, coworkers, and supervisors
- Use hands and fingers to operate equipment, tools, and controls
- Provide hands-on assistance with personal care and participant needs
- Work around and respond to challenging behaviors, including potential physical aggression
- Work in a variety of environments and weather conditions
Specific physical demands and environmental conditions may vary based on the assignment.
Compensation
- New DSPs are paid an hourly rate: $17.42 per hour
- Returning staff may be eligible for higher rates