Community Habilitation Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title:  Community Habilitation Specialist

Pay Rate: $20.00 per hour

Reports to:  Supervisor of Home & Community Services

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:  This may be a part-time or full-time position. Days and hours of work may vary depending on need. Evening and weekend work may be required as determined by program/individual needs.

We currently have a need in the following areas:

• Naples (6 hours per week)
• Canandaigua (12 hours per week)
• Macedon (8 hours per week)
• Geneva (15 hours per week)

Essential Functions

1. Imparts agency philosophy of “Equal Opportunity, Independence and Realization of Individual Potential” to clients, families, program staff and community resources.
2. Maintains confidentiality of information relating to individuals and their families in accordance with agency policy.
3. Provides training to program participants to help them acquire daily living skills which will enable these individuals to function in more independent living situations.
4. Provide functional assessment of a wide variety of life skills and provide appropriate feedback to program participants with regard to strengths, areas to develop and barriers to overcome.
5. Use creative problem solving to help participants overcome barriers to independence.
6. Develop appropriate service plan goals and activities to help consumers reach their goals.
7. Advocate for person centered planning for program participants.
8. Provides assistance and training to program participants to help them develop necessary problem solving skills which will enable them to better function in their community living situation.
9. Accompanies program participants to locations in the community to help them learn how to access and utilize community resources, including health and safety resources.
10. Assist program participants in accessing recreational and social activities, thus enabling them to utilize their leisure time appropriately.
11. Acts as a role model for program participants by interacting with people in a manner, which will assist these individuals to develop behaviors necessary for successful community living.
12. Assist with implementation of behavior modification plans as needed.
13. Participates in case conferences upon request.
14. Maintains necessary records and case notes as requested.
15. Submits a monthly report to Supervisor of Home & Community Services or designee on time and according to established guidelines.
16. Communicates individual consumer concerns relative to treatment plan, medical or safety issues to the service coordinator.
17. Provides training and consultation to designated staff for the purpose of goal implementation.
18. Participates in conferences, workshops and in-service training to enhance job skills and personal growth and development.
19. Adheres to agency’s policies and procedures as well as department guidelines.
20. Performs other duties at the discretion of the Program Director or his/her designee.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.
2. Knowledge of community resources and means of accessing these resources.
3. Valid NYS driver’s license.
4. Demonstrates basic reasoning and writing skills.
5. 6 months experience working with individuals with disabilities providing habilitation or rehabilitation and independent living skills training.

Competency Requirements

1. Must possess a strong service orientation, including active listening, critical thinking skills, and close monitoring of clients.
2. Attention to detail.
3. Caring approach.
4. Ability to ensure individual’s safety.
5. Excellent communication skills.
6. Positivity.
7. Attentiveness.

Work Environment: This job operates in a home environment as well as in the community.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 30 pounds.

Travel:  Travel is primarily local during the business day but employee will be expected to work at any of our partner agencies.  Some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

EEO Statement

The agencies are equal opportunity employers.   We do not discriminate against employees or applicants in the hiring, promotion, compensation, placement, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence or any other term or condition of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, domestic violence victim status, prior arrest and conviction records or any other protected category in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.