Direct Care Worker II

This position is located in Stoneham, MA

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) seeks a caring and compassionate applicant for the role of DIRECT CARE WORKER II (DSW II) who is committed to building meaningful relationships in order to provide outstanding care and service. The DSW II provides direct care services and aid to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing for the participants' needs in daily living and those skills necessary for community life.



Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Assist in the implementation of habilitative, behavioral and recreational programs; perform program-related cooking and housekeeping duties; dispense medications in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations;
• Communicate about, and with, the individuals served in a manner which promotes their growth, human rights and integration into the community;
• Assist, instruct and support individuals in understanding and exercising their rights to their fullest potential;
• Report, as mandatory reporters, all abuse and neglect to the residential supervisor and to the Director of Residential support all incidences of abuse in accordance with regulations; and complete required paperwork;
• May drive individuals to work, appointments and recreational outings;
• Perform crisis intervention; and maintain confidential records of individuals.

Incumbents at this level, based on assignment may act as a shift supervisor, and are responsible for duties including the following:

• Monitor Developmental Service Worker I's (DSW I's) to ensure that they are acting as advocates and demonstrating respect and positive regard for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Function as a working supervisor, providing daily supervision and training to DSW I's through instruction in the daily routines and schedules of individuals with developmental disabilities, through demonstration, and role modeling, in order to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities receive appropriate services and opportunities within a normalized environment.
• As a shift supervisor, implement services that ensure the safety and health of individuals by maintaining a safe and clean home environment: Observe, evaluate, and take appropriate and timely action in notifying pertinent medical staff of health-related issues, and performing other related assignments for the purpose of providing optimal care to persons with developmental disabilities.
• Make staff assignments within residence, as shift supervisor.
• Assist in the evaluations of DSW I's.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push or pull heavy objects.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the comprehensive service needs of persons with developmental/intellectual disabilities and their families/guardians.
• Ability to give written or verbal instructions in a clear and understandable manner, and to plan, assign and coordinate the activities of others.

Agency Requirements:

• Must possess current and valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s License;
• Applicants must pass the Medication Administration Program (MAP) certification;
• After successfully completing a training program, the selected candidate must acquire and maintain; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid (FA) certification.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is designated as an "EMERGENCY" position in the Department of Developmental Services Emergency Plan. This means that whenever the Governor declares that the Commonwealth is in a state of emergency, selected applicant will be required to report to work. This is a 24hour/7 days a week staff position. Candidates must be able to be flexible in their work schedule. The Department of Developmental Services requires employees in this position to be able to perform "MANDATORY OVERTIME" when circumstances dictate the need.

Scheduled Hours:

Hours: 40 Full Time - 3pm-11:30pm
Days off: Friday and Saturday

About the Department of Developmental Services

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit:

Pre-Hire Process:

Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:

• Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search:
• Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
• National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

For help logging into/resetting your MassCareers profile, call the Employment Service Center at 617-979-8500 for assistance.

For questions concerning the information in this requisition please contact the Human Resources' Customer Service Line at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

ALL EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS AND MUST HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT. Listed salary ranges are for one full year at current rates.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have (A) at least one (1) year of full-time or equivalent part-time, experience in providing direct support services to persons with developmental/ intellectual, emotional or physical disabilities, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

An Associate’s degree or higher with a major in a human services field, including sociology, special education, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or other related field may be substituted for the required experience.

Incumbents are required to possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00(“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Developmental Services Wrk II

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Stoneham - Res 7258

Job : Direct Care

Agency : Department of Developmental Services

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Evening

Job Posting : Jan 21, 2026, 10:21:01 AM

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 51,155.26 - 66,059.24 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Christina Hyppolite, [email protected] - 8572835830

Bargaining Unit : 02-AFSCME - Service/Institutional

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : No