Join Our Team!

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

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.

Join our team at the Warrensville Developmental Center!

Accepting applications for Therapeutic Program Workers

Starting Hourly Pay: $22.60 per hour

• 1st Raise in 4 Months (increase to $22.96 per hour)
• Multiple pay increases over your first 3.5 years of service, with an end salary of $25.69 per hour for first shift employees. This does not include overtime opportunities or shift differential pay!
• Shift differential pay for 2nd & 3rd shift
• Tuition Reimbursement (Employee Development Program)
• 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!

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 individual 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

Mandatory Overtime is Required of this Position.

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

The final applicant selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis prior to the appointment to test for illegal drug use. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment.

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Rule 5123-2-02, “Background Investigations for Employment,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Developmental Disabilities.

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 the ADA Coordinator by email at

EEO-DiversityAffairs@dodd.ohio.gov.

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.

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.