Direct Support Technician

Position Details

Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position Direct Support Technician Job Type Full Time Posting Type Public Number of Vacancies 1 Department CHES INT BEHAV HEALTHC Division CIBH INTELL DISABILITY S Requisition Number 2026308 Number of hours worked per week 40 Work Schedule

Monday-Thursday & Sunday 6:00am-2:00pm

Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Work Site Location Chesapeake, VA Position Driving Requirement R - Routine Pay Grade GE04 Pay Basis Semi-Monthly Advertised Salary

Starting Range: $39,543 - $58,820

Actual starting salary will depend on education, credentials and experience.

Job Description

This position is located at 1829 Rokeby Ave, Chesapeake, VA.

Make a Career Out of Making a Difference

Do you believe every individual deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, self-directed life? Join our Intermediate Care Facility (ICF/IID) team at Highlands Place and become part of a mission-driven organization committed to providing high-quality, person-centered services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As a Direct Support Technician (DST), you will play a vital role in delivering active treatment and individualized supports that promote independence, community inclusion, personal choice, and quality of life. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, you will help individuals achieve meaningful outcomes while ensuring services are provided in accordance with Medicaid, DBHDS, and ICF/IID regulations.

What You'll Do

As a Direct Support Technician, you will:

• Provide compassionate, person-centered care that respects each individual's dignity, preferences, strengths, and personal goals.
• Implement individualized service plans, active treatment programs, and behavior support plans designed to increase independence and functional skills.
• Assist individuals with activities of daily living, including personal care, hygiene, dressing, mobility, dining, and medication support as authorized.
• Teach and reinforce daily living, communication, social, vocational, and community integration skills through active treatment interventions.
• Support individuals in making informed choices and exercising their rights while encouraging maximum independence.
• Maintain a safe, therapeutic, and supportive living environment.
• Observe, document, and communicate changes in health status, behavior, or progress toward established goals.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation that meets Medicaid, ICF/IID, and agency standards.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, quality improvement initiatives, and ongoing training.
• Ensure services are delivered in compliance with federal Medicaid regulations, Virginia DBHDS licensing requirements, CMS Conditions of Participation, agency policies, and person-centered best practices.

What We're Looking For

Successful candidates demonstrate:

• A commitment to person-centered values and supporting individuals in achieving meaningful life outcomes.
• Compassion, patience, professionalism, and respect for individual rights.
• Strong communication, observation, and documentation skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Sound judgment, dependability, and the ability to remain calm during challenging situations.
• A willingness to continuously learn and maintain compliance with required training and regulatory standards.

What Chesapeake Offers

At Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, you'll be more than a caregiver-you'll be an advocate, teacher, mentor, and valued member of a team committed to excellence in service delivery.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and shift differentials (where applicable)
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
• Wellness Incentives over $500+ a year to apply towards medical costs
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS) participation
• Generous paid leave
• Paid training and opportunities for career advancement
• Ongoing professional development in person-centered practices, active treatment, and regulatory compliance
• A collaborative workplace committed to quality care, continuous improvement, and positive outcomes
• Employee appreciation celebrations

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Requires high school diploma or GED and any combination of education and experience equivalent to satisfactory completion of one year of college education in client health/mental health care, developmental psychology, or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: Requires a minimum of six months of related, full-time equivalent experience.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES: Requires a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with City Driving Standards. Must obtain CPR and First Aid certifications within 90 days. Employees serving the Intellectual Disabilities (ID) population must pass ID Orientation Workbook training within thirty days of hire. Depending on assignment, may be required to pass Medication Management Administration training within ninety days of hire.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Experience in an ICF/IID, group home, residential program, healthcare, behavioral health, nursing, or human services setting.
• Knowledge of person-centered practices, active treatment principles, positive behavior supports, and trauma-informed care.
• CPR/First Aid certification and medication administration training, or the ability to obtain certifications upon hire.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating schedules in a 24-hour residential setting.

Posting Detail Information

Job Open Date 07/27/2026 Job Close Date 08/10/2026 Open Continuous No Special Instructions to Applicants

Please ensure that each employment listed on the resume indicates either Full or Part time.

Medical Marijuana:

In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.

ADA Checklist

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands VH=Very Heavy - Exerting over 100 lbs. occasionally, 50-100 lbs. frequently, or up to 20-50 lbs. constantly.

Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.

Standing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Sitting Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Walking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Lifting Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Lifting Amount Exerting 50 - 100 lbs Carrying Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Carrying Weight Exerting up to 20 lbs Pushing/Pulling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Pushing/Pulling Weight Exerting over 100 lbs Reaching Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Handling Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Fine Dexterity Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Kneeling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Crouching Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Crawling Never- Never occurs. Bending Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Twisting Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Climbing Never- Never occurs. Balancing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Talking Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Foot Controls Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used

Office equipment: computer, phone, printer, fax, scanner, some medical

equipment, city vehicles with wheelchair lift

Protective Equipment Required

gloves, face mask, gown (optional)

Health and Safety

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Mechanical Hazards W = Several Times Per Week Chemical Hazards N = Never Electrical Hazards N = Never Fire Hazards N = Never Explosives N = Never Communicable Diseases S = Seasonally Physical Danger or Abuse N = Never Other If Other, Description

Environmental Factors

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Dirt and Dust N = Never Extreme Temperatures N = Never Noise and Vibration N = Never Fumes and Odors D = Daily Wetness/Humidity N = Never Darkness or Poor Lighting N = Never Primary Work Location Office Environment, Other - Residential facility

Non-Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.

Time Pressures Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Emergency Situations Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Frequent Change of Tasks Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Tedious or Exacting Work Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Noisy/Distracting Environment Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Other If Other, Description Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s)

Supervisor

Professional References

Professional References

Please provide contact information for professional references.

Minimum Requests 0 Maximum Requests 4

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Do you possess a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City's Driving Standards? Please review position requirements for details.
• Yes
• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• Transcripts