Meet 3 Direct Support Professionals Who Love Their Careers with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

New York State's Office for People with Developmental Disabilities is actively recruiting direct support assistants, who will help people with developmental disabilities with all their personal needs. They'll also help them participate in life skills programs and help maintain a safe and comfortable environment.

Direct support assistants can earn up to $22.08 per hour and enjoy job security, health insurance, state retirement benefits, paid vacation, and much more. So many people not only find the job rewarding but also find great opportunities and support for building a long-term career.

But don't just take our word for it! Meet three people who have built long-term careers with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities:

Alicia Southern

Alicia really appreciates the job stability and the knowledge that she's having a real impact every day: "As a direct support professional, you should know you have the power to make their lives better and empower someone. I'm encouraging someone, I'm showing them my passion, and through my passion, I'm enabling them to be seen not as a disability but as a capability."

Wesley King

Wes started as a per diem worker, then went full time, and ultimately became a supervisor: "Some advice I would give to the people applying for a direct support professional position would be to give it a chance. Come in, work hard, because it can really open up a lot of different opportunities for you."

Lana Shea

Lana agrees that the benefits are very good, but she also knows direct service professionals need to have a caring personality: "You have to genuinely care about individuals, be here because you want to be here, because you care that you're making a difference in their lives."

Think this career might be a good fit for you? Click here to learn more and apply.