Day Habilitation Specialist - West Rd.
About The Position
The Day Habilitation Specialist supports adults with autism in developing independence, acquiring skills, and working toward personal goals through structured programming, community experiences, and recreational and vocational activities. The role provides day-to-day safety, supervision, and engagement, and ensures that participants’ Individualized Service Plan (ISP) goals are carried out in real-world settings. The specialist attends to participants’ educational, physical, social, and emotional needs; supports goal-oriented programming and data collection; facilitates activities and outings; and contributes to the development and implementation of ISPs that meet OPWDD requirements. The position may involve assisting in a residential home and transporting participants to Lifelong Learning Centers in Pleasant Valley, Poughkeepsie, or Saugerties. The specialist helps maintain high-quality services and a culture of unconditional positive regard that builds on participants’ strengths. Agency training and qualifications in health, safety, crisis intervention, and medication administration must be completed and maintained, along with mandated reporting and compliance with agency policies and protocols.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Valid New York State driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain agency driving privileges.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Ability to initiate or assist in all components of crisis intervention when needed.
- Ability to obtain and maintain qualifications in agency health, safety, and crisis intervention procedures, including First Aid, CPR, SCIP-R, and medication administration certification.
- Dependability, compassion, and a genuine desire to foster independence and self-worth for individuals with autism.
- Alignment with the organization’s mission and values.
- Openness to mentorship and ongoing guidance.
- Adaptability, integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to be present.
Nice To Haves
- Interest in exploring career advancement tracks, including Instructor, Supervisor, Manager, Program Specialist, or Behavior Specialist.
Responsibilities
- Ensure participants’ day-to-day safety, supervision, and engagement, and carry out ISP goals in real-world settings.
- Attend to participants’ educational, physical, social, and emotional needs.
- Assist with structured, goal-oriented daily programming and data collection in an assigned service delivery area.
- Support participants in developing social, daily living, and self-advocacy skills.
- Facilitate activities and plan outings that allow participants to practice ISP goals.
- Work with colleagues to develop and implement Individualized Service Plans that meet OPWDD requirements.
- Assist in the residential home and transport participants to Lifelong Learning Centers in Pleasant Valley, Poughkeepsie, or Saugerties.
- Help ensure high-quality services are provided and supported at all times.
- Promote a culture of unconditional positive regard that maximizes participants’ strengths and navigates challenges.
- Initiate or assist in crisis intervention when needed and maintain qualifications in agency health, safety, and crisis intervention procedures.
- Complete agency training, fulfill mandated reporting requirements, comply with agency policies, and follow organizational protocols.
Benefits
- Up to 6 weeks of paid time off starting in the first year.
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer match and annual contribution.
- Medical insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Wellness program.
- Ongoing professional development.
- Discounted tuition at select colleges and universities.
- Scholarship program for educational experiences aligned with the role, subject to restrictions.
- Staff appreciation events and experiences.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
