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  3. Direct Support Professional
Merakey logo

Direct Support Professional

Merakey·San Joaquin County, California

$26 - $26/hrFull TimeOn Site0-2 yrsPosted 27 days ago
Practice for this role

Direct Support Professional · $26 - $26/hr

How this role compares

Computed from live listings

  • -33% vs. median posted rate for behavioral health roles in California ($38.94/hr, n=5252)
  • 7 similar openings in the San Joaquin County area
$6.00/hr · p10p90 · $14,331/hr
this role: $26.00/hrmedian $38.94/hr

Shaded band: the middle 50% of 5,252 posted behavioral health roles in California rates. This role sits in the 25th percentile.

About the role

Pay for this role is about 33% below the California median for behavioral health roles.

Direct Support Professionals provide care that enhances the health, safety, and dignity of individuals served. They assist and train individuals in personal care, communication, and social skill development.

We are seeking Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to join our team at our programs in Elk Grove, CA.

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put heart and soul into everything we do.

We are seeking Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to join our team at our programs in Elk Grove, CA.

Position Details

Our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) interact and support our individuals in a variety of potential settings and provide a level of care that enhances the health, safety, dignity, and contentment of every individual served by assisting and training them in the areas of personal care, communication, and social skill development.

Compensation

• Earn $24.00/hour.

Note

We provide professional development training, support, and resources to help you obtain your Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification. Upon certification, you’ll receive a $2/hour pay increase= $26.00/hour.

Life at Merakey

  • DSP Spotlight
  • Get an inside look at life as a DSP at Merakey through our DSP Spotlight Page [https://merakey.goodseeker.com/c/merakey/featured/join-our-team-as-a-dsp]. Hear directly from our team about what makes Merakey a place where you can grow, feel valued, and make a difference every day.

Benefits

  • Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security, and work-life balance, including:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
  • Retirement plan -- both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
  • DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
  • On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
  • Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
  • Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
  • Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
  • Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

Learn more about our full benefits package - https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits [https://www.merakey.org/careers/benefits]

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey. [https://youtu.be/MD3KtxmS7qo] Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status. Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years old. Must have a verifiable High School Diploma/G.E.D. A valid driver's license is required. Must have at least 6 months of experience providing direct care to individuals with developmental disabilities, with a focus on behavioral services

Certification Requirements

Merakey will provide access to the necessary training and support to help employees meet these requirements. These must be completed within 1 year of hire:

DSP 1 and DSP 2 Certification – Required within 12 months of hire. Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Certification – Required within 12 months of hire.

Dual Diagnose experience is a PLUS!

Posting details

Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
0-2 yrs
Salary
$26 - $26/hr
Locations
San Joaquin County, California; Sacramento County, California; Galt, California
Posted
Aug 11, 2026
Application
Employer website
Merakey logo

Hiring organization

Merakey

Merakey is a leading developmental, behavioral health and education non-profit provider offering a breadth of integrated services to individuals and communities across the country. We leverage our size and expertise to develop innovative solutions and new models of care to meet...

IndustryNon-profit Organizations
TypeNonprofit
Size5,001-10,000 employees
View profile

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Market context

California DSP roles stay consistently needed

Direct Support Professional roles in California are typically in steady demand because providers need dependable staff to support daily living, safety, and community participation. These openings can be competitive when employers want a high school diploma, a valid driver’s license, a registered vehicle with insurance, and prior human services or direct care experience. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your driving documentation and highlight any hands-on care experience before applying.

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