Habilitation Specialist 1

Duties Description This HS1 functions as a Job Developer and is responsible for the administration and management of job development in the Finger Lakes Region 1 and supplemental job development in Finger Lakes Region 3 as needed, including assisting the IES Coordinator with administrative duties and in maintaining goals of the Employment Programs; co-training of staff; Medicaid compliance and billing; and ongoing program development and other SEMP related activities.This position is region-wide and requires travel to all FL DDSO IES sites. The HS2 reports directly to the DDPS1 Team Lead.


Review and understand OPWDD Final Regulations and Administrative Memorandums (ADMs) applicable to SEMP, and review and understand other program materials to be the subject matter expert of the SEMP program. Maintain an ongoing relationship with the Finger Lakes Regional Office and OPWDD's Office of Employment And Meaningful Community Activities to ensure clear understanding of billing protocols, provision of services, changes and nuances, and other matters as needed and as when questions arise.


Maintain a case load of individuals that require Intensive SEMP services (Job Development and Employment and Training (ETP) in the Cornerstone/Rochester area. And, provide job coverage and room coverage in the IES rooms as required at the Cornerstone IES/Day Hab location.


Assist IES Coordinators in maximizing the creation and implementation of a work situations, including mobile work crews/enclaves or other employment opportunities for individuals.


Attend all Pathway to Employment Final Discovery (Form 8) meetings to obtain referrals for individual job development and placement, determine the need for ETP, and/or facilitate the transition to other services in the continuum of OPWDD vocational services offered in the FL DDSO or to other agencies.


Assist individuals referred to ACCES-VR, either through the Pathway to Employment services or through evaluation of needs, with completion of the ACCES-VR application, attendance at ACCES-VR Orientation and intake/eligibility meetings.


Complete applications and other required plans for Intensive SEMP (Job Development) and Employment and Training services and work closely with the FL Regional Office for consultation on services, monitoring and reporting of progress. Complete Intensive SEMP services (Job Development) and ETP services with those individuals approved for this service; complete all documentation to support the services. Submit this documentation for quality review to the SEMP Coordinator.


Attend Life Plan meetings for those individuals served in Intensive SEMP and ETP services; ensure correct information for these services is reflected in the Life Plans.


Once individuals are placed in community employment, develop Task Analyses, provide initial intensive job coaching services, and schedule transfer to Extended SEMP job coaching services in consultation with the Job Development Program Administrator and local IES Coordinator.


When individuals are terminated from Extended SEMP services, seek other employment within 45 days in accordance with SEMP regulations. If not employed within the 45-day period, apply for Intensive SEMP services in conjunction with the SEMP Coordinator and provide Intensive SEMP services and billing documentation of those services as noted above.


The Job Developer will network with businesses to determine employer needs and match the skills and talents of job ready individuals to job opportunities; utilize word of mouth and personal information; America's Job Centers; Department of Labor; and other employment consortiums for employment leads.


Follow the timeline for completion of program required paperwork for billing of services. Maintain master charts in accordance with the prescribed order of filing; keep files secured; and ensure filing and upkeep of files each week or as needed. Collect, organize and analyze all program data (units of service; number of individuals served; program progress; etcetera) monthly and as requested.


Participate in internal audits and state survey when required.






#LI-JL1 - Jude Lester


Minimum Qualifications Competitive:
Candidates must be reachable for appointment on the current Civil Service Eligible List for this title.


Open Competitive 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.) Examples of non-qualifying degrees include but are not limited to: criminal justice, political science, liberal arts, and business.

Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.

To determine if your current Civil Service title is eligible for transfer to this title, visit the Career Mobility GOT-IT website:


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. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.

• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.

• The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies.

• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.

• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.

• 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. For more information on PSLF, please visit

• 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).


• If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io to obtain information and RA forms.

• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.

• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.

• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.

• Life insurance and Disability insurance.

• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.

• Paid Holidays and Leave:
° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.

• Health Care Coverage:
Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.

• Paid Parental Leave:
Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.

• Retirement Program:
Participate in The NYS Employees' Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.

• Professional Development and Education and Training:
NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit

• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit

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. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***


Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name Finger Lakes Human Resources


Telephone View phone number on click.appcast.io


Fax View phone number on click.appcast.io


Email Address View email address on click.appcast.io


Address

Street Finger Lakes Human Resources


620 Westfall Road


City Rochester


State NY


Zip Code 14620


Notes on Applying Please email your resume to View email address on click.appcast.io and reference EOA#26-303 in your email.