Residential Counselor - Full Time (Evenings)

Starting Rate: $22.00 - $22.00 / hour
Position Shifts: 5 Days/Week, 37.5 Hours
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays: 2pm - 10pm
Fridays and Saturdays: 3pm - 11pm

*Must have availability for full shifts*

Make a difference where it matters most! We’re looking for compassionate, dependable Residential Counselors (Direct Support Professionals) to support individuals with developmental disabilities in daily living, community involvement, and building independence. From cooking and life skills to encouragement and companionship, you’ll help create a safe, positive, and empowering environment every day.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES:

All job responsibilities are to be conducted according to the Direct Support Professionals Core Competencies and the DSP Code of Ethics and include but are not limited to:

• Provide habilitation services to participants as outlined in the Life Plan or Individual Program Plan contract.
• Follow agency and OPWDD regulations, policies and procedures.
• Attend/participate in required OPWDD and agency trainings, as approved or designated by your supervisors.
• Attend Department and Agency staff meetings as designated by your supervisors.
• Complete necessary paperwork and reporting documents in a timely manner; as directed by your supervisors and the LDA of WNY employee handbook, (Paperwork and reporting documents include but are not limited to: time sheets, habilitation notes and tracking sheets, incident reports, other forms or paperwork as directed by supervisors).
• Perform all duties as assigned by your Supervisors according to the Core Values and Mission Statement of LDA of WNY.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

• Model and provide instruction, services and supports to participants in needed skill areas and activities as prescribed by the program and the specific valued outcomes which are uniquely tailored for and by each individual participant. Instructions, Services and Supports are designed to enhance the quality of life for all participants and may include direction and assistance in daily living activities, such as:
  • Personal hygiene/grooming
  • Household tasks – cooking, cleaning, laundry, safety issues, etc.
  • Shopping, healthy menu options and healthy meal preparation
  • Social skills (greetings, pleasantries, physical appearance, etc.)
  • Money management and budgeting
  • Community integration (involvement/utilization)
  • Community travel and transportation
  • Health, medications and medical issues
  • Any skills needed to enable the individual to live as independently as possible
  • Other instruction, services and supports as indicated

OTHER DUTIES/TASKS:

• Maintains work areas in clean and orderly condition
• Keep updated with current health and safety requirements and regulations, ensuring that individuals receiving services are provided with a safe environment
• Fully and timely review, complete, and submit all required documentation and logs by due dates as required by program needs
• Participate in Agency in-service, staff meetings, and trainings
• Consistently complies with all Agency policies and procedures
• Constantly maintains high performance standards at work with regard to personal behavior and interactions with staff, individuals receiving services, and outside agencies
• Performs other duties as assigned

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Possess good time management skills
• Ability and desire to work as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to work independently in the community with a group of individuals receiving services
• Moderate level of written and oral communication skills
• High level of interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of behavioral techniques and developmental disabilities to assist in the care of individuals receiving services
• Knowledge of computer and ability to utilize various software programs
• Successful completion of Agency Required Trainings
• Successfully obtain and maintain certification as Approved Medication Administration Personnel (AMAP)

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Preferred: Experience working or volunteering in the Developmental Disabilities and/or human services field preferred.

Minimum: High School Diploma or equivalency.

Valid New York State driver’s license in good standing, current automobile insurance, and reliable transportation required