Position Purpose: 

 This position oversees both the community and employment program for a specific catchment area and works in conjunction with the Area Manager for that location to ensure that quality services are provided in a timely, person centered way.

 Specifically, with regard to the Community Program, the expectations are:

To provide person centered services to the people we support in all aspects of their lives. To provide direct supervision and support to Direct Support Professionals who assist the people we support in navigating their communities in a way that promotes growth and independence. To develop and maintain community relationships and identify resources within various community settings to increase community integration. To provide ongoing assessment of skill acquisition and support requirements that individuals receiving supports need in order to be successful within their communities. To provide ongoing training and mentorship as needed, to supervisees, in order to increase their skills and abilities to support the people we serve.

 

Specifically, with regard to the Employment Program, the expectations are:

To support DS Employment staff with the resources so consumers reach their potential with gainful employment and to help the consumer become as independent as possible on his or her job. To support staff with training and ensure the implementation of job development in the community, employer job task assessments, work skill evaluations, work site safety assessments, 1x1 on the job trainings, transportation, training and follow up on the job as necessary. This is part of the person centered planning and included is the consumers ISA and/or through the State of Vermont MOU.

Principal Responsibilities and Duties: 

Hire, train and supervise all Direct Support Professionals within catchment area Supervise approximately 10-15 Direct Support Professionals and 2 Senior Direct Support Professionals in assigned catchment area Ensure all mandatory paperwork is completed for DAIL and HCRS. Complete all mandatory trainings and ensure all staff are up to date with mandatory trainings. Identify, develop and maintain meaningful community partnerships and activities for consumers to reach their goals, dreams and objectives. Provide on-site supervision to Direct Support Professionals while in the community as necessary. Attend all staff meetings, Group Supervision and Individual Supervision with Area Manager. Maintain positive relationships with HCRS Stakeholders and community members. Provide ongoing schedules for both individuals receiving supports and staff. Working Knowledge of Bridge and School Services to support June Grad Process Write SMART goals for community/employment ISA Provide scheduling support in response to unexpected absences and make all necessary follow up calls regarding schedule changes. Implement plans to include, but not limited to: ISA, behavior plans, communication plans, etc. Attend CWS Quarterly Regional meetings and Leadership Meetings when employment Manager cannot attend. Locate and maintain gainful employment for consumers on their case load. Complete and compile all necessary data for EMR and State of Vermont.. Compile June Graduate list for DAIL. Insure all mandatory paperwork is completed for the State and HCRS. Attend all scheduled Supported Employment statewide meetings

Scope of Position:
To oversee the office catchment area with regards to all consumer community support and employment needs.  Maintain compliance with regulatory bodies and keep communication open with all Service Coordinator’s and other vital team members to ensure a cohesive outcome for the people receiving supports from HCRS. To be in compliance and keep communication open with all employers’ needs and expectations where each consumer on the staff’s case load works. Scope of role includes program(s) oversight, member of DS Management Team, member of HCRS Management. Works in collaboration with Transition Coordinator to support June Grad identification meetings and transitions.

Works collaboratively with other DSP Managers to complete program and division related projects and to define and enhances

Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities to successfully perform this job:  

Supervisory skills Interviewing skills Be professional at all times with all stakeholders Ability to set appropriate boundaries with self, consumers and others. Model appropriate attitudes and behavior, particularly a positive outlook, emotional stability, insight and compassion. Maintain positive morale within teams Ability to work in stressful situations and to be able to remain focused, calm and on task. Demonstrate ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively Meet or exceed productivity standards as established by the agency Demonstrate computer knowledge of excel spreadsheets, Power Point, scheduling software, Global Scape, Supported Employment data base and Credible. Knowledge of the State of Vermont’s System of Care as well as Medicaid and DAIL guidelines and procedures. Knowledge of the State of Vermont’s Vocational Rehabilitation guidelines and procedures Ability to prioritize tasks and initiatives at Agency, Division, and Program level.

Relationships:

Be a team member with; Service Coordinators, Area Managers, Behavioral Specialist, parents and or Guardian, DS Nurses, community partners and liaisons, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, community employers and/or supervisors where the consumers work. Community Support Specialists and direct supervisor Employment Training Specialist, Senior Employment Specialist School staff Transition Coordinator DAIL Reviewers and Technical Specialists This position is supervised by the Area Manager.

Qualification Statements

Minimum:

College Graduate and or working on degree and at least five years’ experience in field. Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities or individuals on the Autism spectrum for five years. Be a Qualified Developmental Disability Professional (QDDP) or meet those qualifications and receive certification through HCRS Computer knowledge in Excel, PowerPoint, LWSI and scheduling software. Ability to create spreadsheets for program.

Preferred:

College Degree with Human Service background 10 years previous experience working within the Human Service field 10 years’ experience working with individuals with developmental disability and/or on the autism spectrum.

Working Conditions and Additional Information: 

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.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must be strong enough to physically restrain a consumer (if appropriate) and defend oneself from assault.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear.

The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  At times, while working with a consumer who uses a wheelchair, or Hoyer lift or who requires physical assistance, the employee may be required to lift and/or move up 75 to 100 pounds either in moving inert objects or in lifting a consumer.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus to perform such tasks as driving and reading reports.

The employee must be strong enough to physically assist an adult with physical disabilities as required for support and training

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Much of this work may be done in consumer’s homes, which may be smoky or have strong odors.  This cannot be controlled.

The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

 NOTE: 

The above duties or working procedures describe the chief functions of the job.  They are not considered a detailed description of every duty of the job.  The job description is intended to be dynamic in nature, subject to addition or deletion as required by programmatic changes and consumer needs.

May be required to occasionally work weekends and/or nights as needed. Must have own vehicle with valid insurance. (Mileage will be reimbursed) May share a work space for paperwork. Will be expected to come to work on snow days or use appropriate leave time.