Review Vacancy
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
TitleSocial Work Assistant 2 (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryHealth Care, Human/Social Services
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $61516 to $81707 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Duties Description *LOCATION: To be Determined (location to be discussed at time of interview)
Capital District DDRO,500 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12304
OR Taconic DDRO, 38 Fireman’s Way, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
OR Hudson Valley DDRO, 11 Wilbur Road, Thiells, NY 10984
OR Hudson Valley DDRO, 220 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The function of the Social Work Assistant 2 (functional title of Housing Liaison) position provides essential services in the Housing Unit and coincides with the expectations of the core mission of OPWDD to provide necessary services to individuals with disabilities. Specifically, this position is critical to residential placement efforts as the housing unit is responsible for confirming individuals’ needs for certified OPWDD residential opportunities and for non-certified housing opportunities. This position provides services for the Housing Unit within the 18 counties of OPWDD Region 3. OPWDD has developed a vacancy management strategy for certified OPWDD residential programs to reflect the expectations of the Front Door program. This is the Certified Residential Opportunity (CRO) process. As part of the CRO process, all residential opportunities in the OPWDD sites, both voluntary and state operated, are filled by the Housing Unit. This position is essential to coordinate residential services in more than 1900 certified homes in the 18 counties within the Hudson Valley, Taconic, and Capital districts. Additionally, non-certified sites and opportunities will be identified and followed by the Housing Unit.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
As a SWA2/Housing Liaison, and part of the housing unit, the functions performed are unique to this position and are essential in addressing the following work activities:
• Identifying and maintaining records of all available vacancies’ region-wide
• Coordinating weekly CRO meeting to review requests and discuss needs.
• Providing ongoing training to providers to ensure understanding and compliance with the CRO process/protocol.
• Developing relationships with agency representatives to increase CRO opportunities for individuals in need of housing.
• Maintaining statewide database and local spreadsheets to identify individuals requiring services.
• Processing admissions/removals/transfers in TABS/CHOICES
• Acting as district transfer liaison
• Providing active outreach to community and stakeholders regarding CRO process
• Other regional office activities as needed and assigned.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nys-office-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/posts/?feedView=all
#LI-SB2
Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Promotional qualifications:
Candidates must be on the current eligible list and be reachable for appointment.
OR
Candidates must have one year of permanent service in a title eligible for transfer under § 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
Open competitive qualifications:
A.?a bachelor’s degree or higher in social work,
OR?
B. a bachelor’s degree or higher in a human service area* and one year of post-bachelor’s social work experience.**
*Degrees in the following human service areas are considered qualifying: The professional disciplines of art therapy, audiology, dance therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, social work, speech/language pathology, and therapeutic recreation. Also included are related academic disciplines associated with the study of human behavior (e.g., gerontology, human services, sociology, speech communication); human skills development (e.g., counseling, education, human development); or any other study of services related to basic human care needs (e.g., community mental health, rehabilitation counseling).
Examples of non-qualifying degrees include but are not limited to: Anthropology, archeology, communication, criminal justice, fine arts, philosophy, and political science.
** Qualifying social work experience involves activities such as assessing individual and family needs, strengths, and limitations; assisting in the development of treatment plans; providing counseling to promote mental, emotional, physical, and social functioning; helping individuals and families access supportive services; coordinating and evaluating services, programs, and support systems; and providing support, advocacy, and referral as appropriate.
Examples of non-qualifying experience include providing direct hands-on care to patients/consumers by assisting with bathing, dressing, mobility, eating, and other activities of daily living; transporting/accompanying patients/consumers to appointments or activities; planning, organizing, and participating in recreational activities for patients/consumers, such as sports, games, creative arts, and/or clubs; and performing safety and/or security related functions for a facility.
Additional Comments ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
• This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title.
• At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.
• Family and household member relationships: OPWDD policy may impact eligibility for this position. Employees are responsible for recognizing the relationship and not posting for positions where it would be a concern. Before you apply read Section 120.27 of the Region 3 Policy Manual. Please e-mail capital.district.human.resources@opwdd.ny.gov if you have you need help determining if this policy applies to you.
• Must be cleared by the NYS Central Register for Child Abuse and Maltreatment if position requires working with minors and not previously cleared.
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). If an employee believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the NYS OPWDD Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or e-mail at accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume/cover letter.
• In order to be eligible for appointment and to maintain employment, you cannot be listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of the Federal and/or State Medicaid and Medicare exclusion lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program). If you are appointed and subsequently listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of these lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program), you may be terminated from your employment.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• For CSEA positions: Local Bidding Agreements, and previously approved vacation/holiday time will be honored in the new assignment.
• The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies.
• If you are employed by state government, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
° Paid Holidays and Leave:
° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
• Health Care Coverage:
Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental, and vision plans at no extra cost.
• Paid Parental Leave:
Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• Retirement Program:
Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas, and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Capital District Human Resources
Email Address CapitalDistrict.Careers@opwdd.ny.gov
Address
500 Balltown Road
Notes on ApplyingAPPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Please submit cover letter and resume to:
Capital District DDSO
Human Resources Office
Building 1
500 Balltown Road
Schenectady, New York 12304
Phone: 518-388-0838
Fax: 518-370-7536
Email: CapitalDistrict.Careers@opwdd.ny.gov
*Please reference EOA #25-014 in all correspondence.