Therapeutic Program Worker

                                                           Join our team at the Northwest Developmental Center!

Accepting applications for IT College Intern The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) mission is to partner with people and communities to support Ohioans with developmental disabilities and their families in realizing their version of a good life.

Ohio is the heart of opportunity, and we envision Ohio as the best place in the nation for people with developmental disabilities to thrive. Our core values reflect our focus on the experience of each person we support\: 

• Inclusion

•Partnership 

• Respect

Accepting applications for Therapeutic Program Workers  (Variable full-time & part-time shifts available)

Starting Hourly Pay\: $23.28 per hour 

• 1st Raise in 4 Months (increase to $23.28 per hour)
• Multiple pay increases over your first 3.5 years of service, with an end salary of $26.54. per hour for first shift employees. This does not even include overtime opportunities or shift differential pay!
• Shift differential pay for 2nd & 3rd shift 
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Medical Coverage Available the 1st of the Month Following Start Date
• Free Dental & Vision After 1 Year
• Generous Benefits Package Including Vacation, Sick, Holiday, and Personal Leave
• View our full benefits package on our Total Rewards website!

Who Are We?

The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is a trauma informed care agency focused on implementing our core values and providing support to people with developmental disabilities. We oversee a statewide system of supportive services that focus on ensuring the health and safety, supporting access to community participation, and increasing opportunities for meaningful employment.   

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & YouTube @DODDOhio 

DODD Core Values:

To help Ohioans with developmental disabilities, DODD has embodied the following core values that focus on the experience of our customers, the people we serve, and their families:

• Kindness & Empathy – All interactions are based on genuine care and concern for all involved. We listen to those we serve, our partners, and each other.
• Collaboration – We engage with each other and our partners with openness and trust.
• Transparency – We are accessible and visible in our business practices.
• Quality Innovation – The services we deliver are value-added and promote excellence.
•  Inclusiveness – Cultivate an environment that embraces diversity and ideas at every level of interaction. Our systems and processes are designed to ensure that every person is treated equally, and every voice is heard fairly.
•  Accountability – We conduct ourselves professionally and will manage taxpayer dollars responsibly.

 What does a Therapeutic Program Worker do?

 A Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW) is a direct care worker that helps residents with daily living skills and assists them with becoming more independent, to achieve their goals. Support given to the the people we serve will vary based on each person’s needs and capabilities.

Key TPW Tasks:

Assists with eating, bathing, toileting, personal hygiene, oral hygiene, dressing, grooming, communication, money management, etiquette, and social skills Implements active treatment activities such as gym, pavilion, activity room and pool Assists with planning and shopping activities (e.g., shopping, vocational skills, hair appointments) Complete various daily, monthly documentation Including documentation any unusual incidents or reporting any reaction to medication Perform light housekeeping duties in the living areas Assists with redirecting unsafe actions to bring about positive outcomes

 Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license with 5 or fewer points
• No experience required

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage


• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period


• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year


• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave


• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)


• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

Formal education in arithmetic that includes addition & subtraction & in reading, writing & speaking common English
vocabulary. In Department of Developmental Disabilities, must also possess a high school diploma or a certificate of high
school equivalence pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code 5123\:2-3-01(F) (1) (c).

Or in positions at Veteran Services in addition to above must possess STNA certification &/or listed on Ohio Nurse Aide
Registry.

For positions that require operation of motor vehicle to transport consumers to recreational, educational &/or occupational
activities, a valid driver’s license is required.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Direct Support/Direct Care

Unusual Working Conditions:

May be exposed to unpredictable resident behavior, must be able to bend, stoop, stand, lift, and run. Developmental centers operate 24/7, year-round.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.  To request a reasonable accommodation due to disability, please contact by email at [email protected].

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.