Human Services Coordinator I

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Beverly, MA

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking a motivated and talented individual for the Human Services Coordinator I (HSC I) position in the North Shore Area Office. This role serves as the primary contact for individuals and families served by the Department, building respectful and collaborative partnerships with individuals, families, guardians, provider agencies, and other stakeholders. The HSC I coordinates and facilitates the development of Individual Service Plans (ISP), Life Plans, or Individual Transition Plans (ITP) for assigned caseloads, and monitors the implementation of services provided by DDS-funded residential, day, and support program providers. The role ensures individuals receive appropriate services by arranging, organizing, and coordinating DDS-funded and generic support services in response to individual needs, while maintaining communication with community services and other state agencies. The Service Coordinator role allows for specialization to meet the needs of DDS-eligible individuals who are children (under 18), transitioning to adult services, live with Autism (with or without intellectual disability), or are adults. The expectations and caseloads vary based on specialization. Specific roles include Transition SC (assisting young adults with disabilities transitioning from special education to adult services, working with Chapter 688), Adult SC (supporting individuals in identifying and accessing needed supports, including traditional and non-traditional options, and waiver eligibility), ASD HSC I (similar to Adult SC, focusing on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder), Children HSC I (supporting DDS-eligible children and their families with planning, accessing community-based supports, understanding SPED processes, and identifying/referring to internal/external supports), and Self-Direction SC (working with individuals in the Participant Directed Program, serving as a support broker, assisting with budgets, recruiting/hiring workers, and resolving payroll/employer issues). Additional responsibilities include monitoring safety and well-being, providing advocacy, facilitating team meetings, maintaining records, arranging crisis intervention, and assessing needs for follow-up planning.

Requirements

• At least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional experience in human services work or social work.
• OR Any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions.
• Substitutions: A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Based on assignment, travel may be required.
• Incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.
• Based on assignment as Qualified Intellectual Disabled Professionals, within the Department of Developmental Services, a Bachelor's degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, human services, rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, nursing, recreation therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, physical education or other a related field is required.

Nice To Haves

• Flexibility required to meet the needs of the Area Office.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for individuals and families served by the Department.
• Build respectful and collaborative partnerships with individuals, families, guardians, provider agencies, and other stakeholder groups.
• Coordinate and facilitate the development of Individual Service Plan (ISP), Life Plan, or Individual Transition Plan (ITP) for individuals on assigned caseload.
• Monitor the implementation of services provided by DDS funded residential, day and support program providers.
• Ensure individuals on caseload receive appropriate services by arranging, organizing, and coordinating DDS funded and generic support services.
• Maintain communication and outreach with community services and other state agencies.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with local school authorities to facilitate a stable transition for individuals from school to adult services (Transition SC).
• Support DDS eligible Individuals (and their families) identify, and access needed supports and the mechanism by which those supports will be arranged (Adult SC, ASD HSC I).
• Keep in regular touch with the individual to ensure the supports they are receiving are meeting their needs, including visits to the service setting (Adult SC, ASD HSC I).
• Assist caregivers with planning, accessing generic community-based supports, understanding SPED process and the identifying, and referring to internal and external supports (Children HSC I).
• Serve as a ‘support broker,’ helping the participant draft/revise their individual budget, supporting participants as needed in recruiting/interviewing/hiring workers, and problem-solving payroll and employer issues between participants and their employees (Self-Direction SC).
• Monitor the safety and well-being of assigned individuals.
• Provide advocacy in human, civil and legal rights.
• Facilitate team meetings; monitor follow-through on team recommendations while maintaining individual’s records and relevant computer databases.
• Maintain regular and consistent contact with individuals, service providers and families.
• Arrange and/or provide crisis intervention for individuals as needed; assess needs and make recommendations for follow up planning, as well as providing information to supervisor and other members of the Area Office Management Team.

Benefits

• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level