Review Vacancy
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
TitleHabilitation Specialist 1 - St. Lawrence County
Occupational CategoryHealth Care, Human/Social Services
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $53764 to $68630 Annually
Duties Description PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Coordinate, develop, and provide a robust Habilitation program for individuals in a community IRA setting.
• Develop, monitor, and modify individualized plans, including residential habilitation, day habilitation, community habilitation and inclusion plans; safeguard summary plans, personal expenditure plans, and money management assessments as needed.
• Ensure recreation and outings are being followed per Life Plan needs.
• Coordinate with Clinical staff to ensure all individual needs are met and programs are developed/modified as appropriate.
• Attend LIFEPLAN meetings for all individuals and ensure that appropriate changes are made to the plans in a timely manner.
• Be responsible for the content and organization of the individual program charts and house filing system in relation to Habilitation services.
• Provide training and hands-on assistance in the proper delivery of daily services.
• Ensure the use of EHR by Direct Support Staff, and provide training and guidance as needed.
• Provide training and oversight in the proper documentation of Medicaid billing documents for all habilitation plans, monthly notes, and EHR notes in relation to the implementation of services.
• Act as a liaison on behalf of the individuals, in the community and other times of need.
• Develop and maintain a good working relationship with Care Coordinators and all staff who serve individuals.
• Work closely with the IRA Supervisors to ensure staff resources are available for the needs of all individuals and Habilitation programs.
• Effectively and consistently communicate with IRA supervisors, house staff, and other team members via email, communication book and other methods as appropriate.
• Attend mandatory and recommended trainings.
• Participate in annual audits of EHR, billing documentation, and house charts/filing.
• Assist with other habilitation service needs as warranted.
• Other Duties as Assigned
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Minimum Qualifications Open Competitive Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s or higher-level degree in a human services field*
*For the purpose of these qualifications, a degree in a human service field includes the professional disciplines of audiology, community mental health, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, vocational counseling, social work, speech/language pathology and therapeutic recreation (including concentrations in art, creative art, dance, drama, music, or physical education.) Also included are related academic disciplines associated with the study of human behavior (e.g., gerontology, human services, sociology, speech communication); or human skills development (e.g., counseling/guidance, education, human development.) Examples of non-qualifying degrees include but are not limited to: criminal justice, political science, liberal arts, and business.
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.
• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.
• 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.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• 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.
• Professional Development and Education and Training:
NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
• 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.
***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit cover letter and résumé by September 22, 2025 to:
Sunmount-OHRM
2445 State Route 30
Tupper Lake, NY 12986
E-Mail: sunmount.careers@opwdd.ny.gov
Phone: (518) 359-4150
Fax: (518) 359-4161
Please reference the above EOA # 25-100 in all correspondence.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.