Lead Direct Support Professional Jobs

Lead Direct Support Professional jobs are open across residential care, community programs, and behavioral health settings, from entry-level direct support roles to senior team lead positions, covering specializations in person-centered planning, crisis intervention, and staff supervision. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles448+
Top stateNew Jersey
Top employerAbound Health
Top cityToms River, NJ
Work type81% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 448+ Lead Direct Support Professional jobs

Direct Support Professional III - LPN
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New 19h ago
Direct Support Professional III - LPN
Seven Hills Foundation
Groton, Massachusetts
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$40 - $41/hr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Direct Support Professional - Employment Specialist
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New 22h ago
Direct Support Professional - Employment Specialist
Opportunity House
Sycamore, Illinois
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
Learning & Development
High school diploma or GED
51-200

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Lead Direct Support Professional
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Added 1d ago
Lead Direct Support Professional
Merakey
Escondido, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$28 - $30/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Direct Support Professional - Lead
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Added 1d ago
Direct Support Professional - Lead
Beacon Specialized Living
Columbus, Ohio
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$19.5 - $20/hr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Lead Direct Support Professional
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Added 1d ago
Lead Direct Support Professional
Resources for Human Development
New Castle, Delaware
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
CPR Certification
1,001-5,000

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Lead Direct Support Professional Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • Abound Health95
  • RHA Health Services26
  • Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism12
  • Seven Hills Foundation11
  • Reach Services9

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Manufacturing

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in lead direct support professional jobs.

  • High school diploma or GED with one to three years of direct support experience
  • Current CPR, first aid, and medication administration certification
  • Experience supervising or mentoring direct support professional staff
  • Knowledge of person-centered planning and individualized support plans
  • Valid driver's license and ability to transport individuals served
  • Familiarity with incident reporting systems and state compliance documentation

Tips for Your Lead Direct Support Professional Job Search

Highlight your supervisory experience clearly

Lead roles require documented evidence of coaching or overseeing DSP staff. List the number of staff you directed, any scheduling you managed, and specific outcomes like reduced incident rates or improved documentation compliance to separate your application from standard DSP candidates.

Certify in CPR, first aid, and medication administration

Most job postings for lead direct support professionals require current CPR and first aid cards, and many require a medication administration certification. Having all three before you apply removes a common screening barrier and signals you can step into the role without a delayed start date.

Tailor your resume to each population served

Employers supporting adults with intellectual disabilities screen differently from those serving individuals with traumatic brain injuries or mental health diagnoses. Match your language to the specific population in each posting, using the same terminology the employer uses in their job description.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists lead direct support professional openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Prepare for scenario-based interview questions

Interviewers for lead direct support professional positions commonly ask how you would handle a staff member not following a behavior support plan or a participant in crisis during a shift. Prepare two or three specific examples from past experience using a clear situation, action, and result format.

Ask about caseload ratios and on-call expectations

Before accepting an offer, clarify the staff-to-participant ratio you would oversee, whether on-call coverage is required, and how incidents are documented and escalated. These details vary widely by agency and directly affect your day-to-day workload and long-term fit in the role.

Lead Direct Support Professional Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most lead direct support professionals?

The most active employers for lead direct support professionals right now are Abound Health, RHA Health Services, and Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism, and the most openings are in New Jersey, North Carolina, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Availability shifts frequently, so checking current listings is the most reliable way to find active openings near you.

How many lead direct support professional jobs are remote?

About 19% of lead direct support professional openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most direct support work. Administrative or case coordination components of some lead roles can be performed remotely, but positions that involve direct participant supervision or facility-based oversight are almost always in-person.

How do you become a lead direct support professional?

Start by working as a direct support professional to build hands-on experience with the population you want to serve. Complete required certifications including CPR, first aid, and medication administration, then pursue a National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals credential if your state recognizes it. Demonstrate reliability, take on shift lead responsibilities when available, and document any supervisory or training tasks you perform to build a record of readiness for a lead role.

Can you get hired as a lead direct support professional with little experience?

Some agencies will hire candidates with limited formal DSP experience if they have a background in a related field such as behavioral health, special education, or social services. Volunteering with disability service organizations, completing a DSP certificate program, or working as a home health aide can substitute for direct support hours. Applying to entry-level direct support roles first and moving into a lead position within the same agency is also a common path.

What does the lead direct support professional interview process look like?

Most agencies conduct an initial phone screen followed by one or two in-person interviews. Expect questions about how you handle behavioral incidents, how you document care, and how you support and correct staff in the moment. Some employers include a facility tour or a brief shadowing period. Background checks and reference verification are standard before any offer is finalized.

Where can I find and apply to lead direct support professional jobs?

You can find and apply to lead direct support professional jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that fit your experience, location, and preferred population, then apply directly to each listing. New positions are added regularly, so checking back frequently gives you the best chance of catching recently posted openings.

See All 448+ Lead Direct Support Professional Jobs

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