Habilitation Specialist
People With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
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Duties Description
Instructs and supports individuals in developing and/or enhancing life skills necessary to live more independently in home and community settings; and develops, implements, and modifies habilitation plans to help individuals achieve their valued outcomes.
- Collaborates with individuals, family members, advocates, care managers, and service providers to determine strategies for service delivery (e.g., skill acquisition/retention, staff supports, and/or exploration of new experiences); attends Life Plan meetings to assess the effectiveness of habilitation plans and services and establish objectives.
- Assesses individuals’ skill levels in relation to their valued outcomes and identifies appropriate methods to teach and assist individuals in acquiring, improving, and maintaining life skills.
- Communicates with treatment team members and gathers information to plan and/or modify services to meet individuals’ needs.
- Implements appropriate safeguards and protective oversight measures to ensure the health and welfare of individuals while participating in programs and services.
- Monitors, records, and measures individuals’ progress in reaching their goals, including accomplishments and challenges; modifies habilitation plans to ensure continual progress, prevent regression, and meet individuals’ needs.
- Schedules, transports, and assists individuals in participating in community.
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor’s or higher-level degree in a human services field. For the purpose of these qualifications, a degree in a human service field includes the professional disciplines of audiology, community mental health, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, vocational counseling, social work, speech/language pathology and therapeutic recreation (including concentrations in art, creative art, dance, drama, music, or physical education). Also included are related academic disciplines associated with the study of human behavior (e.g., gerontology, human services, sociology, speech communication); or human skills development (e.g., counseling/guidance, education, human development).
Additional Comments
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status.
If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).
OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees.
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