Direct Support Professional (DSP) | After School Child Care | Portland, OR

About Empowered Services

Empowered Services is a one-on-one attendant care agency providing Activities of Daily Living (ADL) support and community-based services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in their own homes.

Our mission is to support individuals in building independence, engaging in their communities, and living meaningful, self-directed lives.

Position Overview

We are hiring a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to provide 1:1 after-school support for a child in the Portland, OR area.

In this role, you will:

• Provide structured, supportive care in the home and community
• Support communication, emotional regulation, and social interaction
• Encourage positive behaviors and skill development
• Provide consistent, calm guidance during challenging moments

This position is ideal for someone with ABA experience or a background in behavioral support, speech therapy, or related fields.

About the Individual You’ll Support

You will be supporting a child who:

• Enjoys playing with trucks and balls, listening to music, and being social with others
• Loves interacting with family and being around dogs/pets
• Is curious, friendly, and very social, and enjoys engaging with others
• Experiences frustration with communication, which can lead to emotional dysregulation or meltdowns
• Benefits from clear communication, structure, and patient, supportive guidance

This individual thrives with a provider who can help bridge communication gaps, support emotional regulation, and encourage safe, positive interactions.

Schedule

• Monday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (flexible)

Pay & Benefits

• $23–$25 per hour (based on experience and qualifications)

Full-time employees (30+ hours/week) are eligible for:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide ADL support and structured after-school routines
• Support communication development and social interaction
• Implement behavioral support strategies (ABA-informed approaches preferred)
• Assist with emotional regulation and transitions
• Maintain safety awareness (including supervision and boundary-setting)
• Engage in play-based and social activities
• Communicate updates with care teams and document services
• Maintain a consistent, structured, and supportive environment

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Current auto insurance (meeting state requirements)
• Ability to pass a background check (not all records are disqualifying)
• Comfortable providing personal care support

Preferred (strongly encouraged):

• Experience with ABA, behavioral therapy, or speech therapy support
• Experience supporting individuals with autism or I/DD
• Background in childcare, education, or behavioral health
• CPR/First Aid certification

Why Join Empowered Services?

• Consistent after-school schedule
• 1:1 client-focused care
• Opportunity to gain experience in behavioral and developmental support
• Supportive and professional team
• Meaningful, relationship-based work

Apply Today

If you are patient, structured, and passionate about supporting children through behavioral and communication-focused care, we encourage you to apply for this Behavioral Support Specialist (DSP) role.