Direct Care Worker II

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is announcing the availability of a full-time Direct Care Worker II (Developmental Services Worker II) position located in Centerville, MA for the Southeastern Residential Services. The Direct Care Worker II provides direct care services and supports to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities who live in a residential home setting.

Duties and Responsibilities: (The duties stated are a general summary and not all inclusive.)

• Assist with implementation of habilitative, behavioral and recreational programs.
• Perform crisis intervention when necessary.
• Monitor DSW I staff to ensure that they are acting as advocates demonstrating respect and positive regard for the individuals.
• Attend review meetings, maintain and protect confidential records.
• Transport individuals to work, appointments and recreational outings.
• Dispense medications in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
• Help individuals’ make choices in their lives; meet personal care and nutritional needs.
• Guarantee policies, procedures and services are followed and provided throughout the tour of duty.
• Complete cooking, housekeeping and yard work duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to acquire working knowledge of the issues and services of people with developmental disabilities.
• Ability to acquire working knowledge of first aid, CPR and medication administration.
• Working knowledge of household operations.
• Ability to work with other staff who support individuals.
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the people being supported and their families.
• Ability to read and write basic English effectively.
• Ability to communicate oral and/or gestural instructions.
• Ability to plan, assign and coordinate the activities of others.
• Ability to evaluate the work of others
• High school diploma preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical and empowering relationships with staff and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Capability to assist/lift individuals with physical disabilities and/or limited mobility
• Ability to transcribe, read and comprehend the English language

Agency Requirements:

• 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 located in the Southeast Residential Services program in Centerville, MA.

Schedule: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Full-time 40-hour position

Days off - Sunday and Monday

Flexibility required to meet the needs of the program.

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, the selected candidate will be required to report to work.

This Direct Care Worker II position is in a program that operates 24-hours/7 days a week. Candidates must be flexible in their work schedule. The Department requires employees in this position to be able to perform Mandatory Overtime when circumstances dictate the need.

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:

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.

• Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

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.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For technical help with MassCareers, including logging into your profile and/or resetting your password, please call the Employee Service Center at 617-979-8500 for assistance.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4.

ALL EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS AND MUST HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT.

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 .

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-Centerville - Res 5702

Job : Direct Care

Agency : Department of Developmental Services

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Job Posting : Mar 13, 2026, 12:20:23 PM

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