Developmental Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

GENERAL SUMMARY

Provides support and assistance to program participants in the areas of independent living, self-management within the community, social and independent living skills development, as well as affective and behavioral management.   Communicate with families and providers, as required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS *

• Establishes and maintains a rapport with day habilitation program participants.  Ensures and safeguards members’ human dignity, rights, and liberties.
• Plans and oversees participant services in accordance with Day Habilitation regulations in the areas of independent living, self-management within the community, social and independent living skills development, and affective and behavioral management.
• Assists program participants in making and expressing choices based on assessments and other service need indicators.   Assists in the creation of goals and objectives.  Plans program activities and supervise the implementation of services created by the Developmental Specialists and interdisciplinary team (IDT).
• Assists in the development and expansion of opportunities for community integration.
• Attends participants’ ISP meetings as needed.
• Responsible for participant’s data and documentation as assigned. 
• Provides physical assistance to program participants, as needed, including, but not limited to, toileting, transferring, and feeding.
• Adheres to all funding source regulations and Agency policies and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains professional relationships with community contacts, colleagues, management, and Department of Developmental Services (DDS) service coordination staff.
• Serves as mandated reporter for suspected cases of abuse and/or neglect to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC).
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OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attends all meetings, as requested.
• Performs additional duties, as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Leading/Directing Others :  Exhibits confidence in self and others; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; lays out work in a fair, well-planned, and organized manner; inspires, motivates, challenges, and provides support to others to perform well and fulfill the vision; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others; is a clear communicator.
• Total Quality Management :  Is dedicated to providing the highest quality services which meet the needs and requirements of internal and external customers; is committed to continuous improvement through empowerment and performance management; creates a learning environment leading to the most efficient and effective work processes.
• Vision and Purpose Demonstrate a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose; creates milestones to rally support behind the vision.
• Adaptability :  Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; inspires others to be adaptable to change.
• Ethics, Values, and Diversity :  Promotes an appropriate and effective work environment and strives to ensure that the agency’s core values and beliefs are applied during all circumstances; genuinely cares about people; deals effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages, lifestyle choices and genders; supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all; adheres to and promotes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); advocates for the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities to maximize their potential in the programs and communities of their choice.
• Integrity and Trust :  Is respectful, truthful, and transparent; keeps confidences; takes ownership and responsibility for decisions and outcomes.
• Problem Solving and Judgment :  Probes all useful and constructive sources to find pertinent answers; can analyze issues, identify problems and work toward appropriate solutions; collaborates with others or as part of a team; displays willingness to make decisions; makes timely decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 2 years prior experience with people with disabilities.
• 1 year of direct care, CNA, or human services experience preferred.
• Ability and willingness to provide hands-on personal care.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in both verbal and written form with coworkers and supported individuals and read fluently.
• Valid driver’s license in the state of Massachusetts is required.
• Successful completion of all state and Agency mandated training required upon hire.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• No supervisory responsibility.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and twisting.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to pull up or transfer individuals weighing up to 250 pounds.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job.   The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.